Discretionary pay raises, the status of the search for a dean of arts and sciences and responses to the decline in research funding also were discussed.

Noting that allocations for new construction are a positive development, Barbara Mierzwa of the Office of Continuing Medical Education asked if Gov. Pataki's five-year capital budget for SUNY includes funds for maintaining new and existing facilities.

"This is not simply about beauty and comfort for employees," she said, "it is about service to our students and our many guests. There is a direct connection between our ability to attract students and faculty, and being a hospitable environment."

Headrick said that there was no expectation of additional state tax support for maintenance, but pointed out that faculty and staff salary increases were fully funded in this year's operating budget, which is not typical.

Nevertheless, he said, in the context of serving the community and enhancing recruitment, the appearance of the campus was a serious issue. In terms of attracting additional support for maintenance, "We're going to have to work a lot harder on outside giving," he said, adding that UB raises about one-fourth to one-third of the funds from private sources that its peer institutions do.

Headrick mentioned that plans were under way for "beautification" of both campuses, to be funded by the matching program in the governor's capital budget, whereby the state would match one-for-one private donations for construction and rehabilitation projects.

Other comments about the physical appearance of the campus concerned litter found inside and outside buildings, including cigarette butts, the poor condition of some classrooms and debris from student newspapers, particularly advertising inserts, that are strewn around the first floors of many buildings.

Headrick noted that he was aware that steps to rectify these problems have been discussed, including a campus program similar to the "Adopt-A-Highway" campaign where a club or organization would take responsibility for a specific area or building, and efforts to charge the Spectrum for clean-up costs in buildings where the newspaper's inserts are strewn.

Michael Stokes, chair of the PSS, noted that UB has one of the leanest staff/faculty ratios in SUNY, and asked Headrick if there were plans to look at, and deal with, expected retirements in areas affecting maintenance.

Headrick promised to convey the group's concerns to Senior Vice President Robert J. Wagner.

On another topic, Jane DiSalvo of the Interdisciplinary Degree Programs in the Social Sciences asked about the university's guidelines for granting discretionary pay raises.

"President Greiner has said that as a result of the analysis provided by the Women's Task Force, he wants to see the gender-equity gap closed," said Headrick. "That is priority Number One, and he is working on procedures to do that." He added that an analysis and report on the issue are due soon from the committee that was set up to look at it.

The contract agreement reached in the fall between United University Professions, the union representing SUNY faculty and professional staff, and the state includes 1 percent discretionary salary increases to be paid in December 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Headrick said that he understood that discretionary raises that were due to be paid in December 1997 would appear in paychecks in mid-May, and that they would be backdated. He said that an announcement with more details should be made soon.

Anastasia Johnson of the Department of Anthropology asked about the status of the search for a dean of arts and sciences.

Headrick responded that the search committee has recommended several strong internal and external candidates for initial review and interviews. He said that the new dean should be named by around June 30, when the new arts and sciences college is expected to go into effect.

Responding to concerns from senators about strategies for closing the research-funding gap, Headrick said that the president was reorganizing the duties of the vice president for research, Dale M. Landi, to allow him to focus more on supporting faculty members in securing external support and providing administrative support for management once grants are received. "Research funding (at UB) has been essentially flat or actually declining for the last three to four years, while other SUNY units like Stony Brook have leaped ahead," said Headrick.

He noted that in addition to the development of stronger relationships with industry, as embodied in the UB Alliance, plans are being made regarding what academic units should be doing to increase research support.