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Recognizing Spitzer’s ’bold vision’
UB Council urges government partnership to ensure success of UB 2020
By CHARLES ANZALONE
Contributing Editor
The UB Council Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution commending Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer for his commitment to and plans for public higher education in New York state and his “bold vision for the University at Buffalo as a flagship university” in the SUNY system.
Christopher J. O’Brien, a principal in the law firm of O’Brien Boyd, has been appointed as a member of the UB Council, the university's local governing council, by Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer.
O'Brien has handled a wide variety of personal injury cases, securing multimillion verdicts and settlements. He has represented people hurt in car crashes, children who have been sexually assaulted and the estates of people who were killed by drunk drivers.
A past president of the Western Region Affiliate of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, he is one of two lawyers in New York State to have achieved the status of diplomate in the National College of Advocacy and is nationally known for his expertise in teaching trial technique. He regularly lectures for the American Association for Justice and for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
O’Brien has served as a volunteer trial team coach for a number of trial teams at the UB Law School, and for several years co-taught a class at the school on “The Art and Science of the Jury Trial” with the Hon. Thomas P. Franczyk.
He has been active in a number of community organizations, including David's Dinner for Famine Relief, Buffalo Na Fianna Gaelic Football Club, Canisius High School Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Food Shuttle of Western New York Inc. and the Parish Council of St. Christopher's Roman Catholic Church, where he currently serves as president.
O’Brien is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the Washington & Lee Law School.
The resolution at the same time called on Spitzer and the state Legislature “to work in partnership to secure the necessary public investment and policy initiatives to ensure the success of UB 2020.”
President John B. Simpson, in turn, promised council members that the university will not lose momentum in its quest to become one of the nation’s foremost public research universities.
Simpson and council Chairman Jeremy M. Jacobs both addressed UB’s unique moment in history.
“We have the leadership, the plan and the growing external support to really turn this university into a world-class institution, with all the benefits that we bring to the local economy and its quality of life,” Jacobs said.
Simpson outlined for council members the necessary steps that need to be taken if the university is to achieve its ambitious plan of expansion in becoming a world-class public research institution.
“Without question, the university is on the move,” said Simpson. But the president also stressed the need to continue to focus on specific goals to ensure that UB 2020 is more than just a lofty and hopeful vision dependent on the state’s annual budget and candidates’ election promises.
“The ultimate success of UB 2020 depends on getting the resources we need to fund the growth, the buildings and the programs we anticipate,” Simpson said.
Several times in his presentation Simpson mentioned possible “threats” to UB’s historic plans, from those objecting to UB’s hopes to change SUNY budgetary procedures to those who would stand to lose from UB targeting the best and brightest students and faculty.
Following through on the next steps in the UB 2020 plan is essential, according to Simpson. His specific strategies for continuing the growing support and excitement for UB’s historic plans include:
Public Policy: The recommendations contained in the recent report of the Commission on Higher Education are preliminary, not final, Simpson said. “I would like to see those adopted,” he added.
Public Relations: UB Believers—the grass-roots group now approaching 5,000 members—is a powerful device to communicate the message of UB’s mission, Simpson said. He urged council members to attend UB Day in Albany on Feb. 25, a day of meetings and receptions with state leaders intended to spread the message of UB 2020, in particular the fact that “as UB thrives, Western New York thrives.”
Leadership Outreach: The clear and strong support Spitzer and his administration have shown recently is a direct result of frequent and timely meetings with Spitzer, even when he was a candidate for governor, Simpson said. Now, New York has a governor every bit as knowledgeable about UB 2020 as those from the university, he said.
Simpson said it is especially important to work together with other SUNY officials. He reported that he met recently in New York City with the president of Stony Brook University to discuss ways the two designated flagship SUNY institutions can work together toward common goals. These academic, administrative and political connections will continue in hopes of building on the consensus and understanding of what UB is attempting to do, Simpson said.
Role of the UB Council: Simpson also encouraged council members to become active participants in UB’s ascent toward becoming a great public research institution. He urged them to contact key Albany leaders to support UB 2020, asking them to approve necessary resources and rules that give UB increased policy flexibility. Simpson challenged the council to endorse the university’s message through media outlets and publications. He said he needed their involvement and commitment to spread the work and make sure the direction UB has begun does not get sidetracked by other agendas and priorities.
“Tell your employees, your contacts, your business colleagues to join UB Believers,” Simpson said. “The more I am able to go to Albany arm-and-arm with people in the community and outside the university, the more successful I am able to be at the end of the day.”
The council welcomed three new members: Robert T. Brady, chairman and CEO of Moog Inc.; Pamela Davis Heilman, a partner with Hodgson Russ LLP; and Christopher J. O'Brien, a principal in the law firm of O'Brien Boyd.
The council also unanimously endorsed a resolution praising the dedication and service of Randall L. Clark, who recently left the group. The resolution praised Clark’s insight, experience and vision, in particular his efforts to act as a “champion” in promoting UB 2020 in the local business community.