Each state-operated campus of the SUNY system has a University Council, appointed by the Governor. This body is mandated by Article 8, Section 356 of the New York State Education Law, which provides for the establishment of a local council to supervise the operations and affairs of each state-operated institution of the State University. At the University Centers, this body is called the University Council. These councils function subject to the general management, supervision and control of and in accordance with rules established by the State University Trustees. Nine of the ten members of the Council are appointed by the Governor for seven year terms. The tenth member is a student, elected for a one-year term by and from the students enrolled at the institution. The chair is appointed by the Governor.

Meetings
At Albany, the Council holds regular meetings four times during the academic year, and occasionally holds a special meeting if necessary to conduct its business. In addition to the council members attending the meetings, the campus President and Vice Presidents are invited to attend, as are representatives from the alumni, faculty and graduate student body. The alumni representative is selected by the Alumni Association Board of Directors for a multi-year term. The faculty representative is the Chair-elect of the campus University Senate, and serves a one-year term. The graduate student representative is selected by the graduate students' assembly.

In addition to the formal meetings of the Council, the President and Council Chair speak and meet frequently throughout the year on issues, incidents, reports, and other matters which may be related to the responsibilities of the Council. Council members are invited to the University's numerous cultural, educational, athletics, and social campus events and are active participants in official ceremonies and programs such as graduation, special convocations, etc.

Presidential Search Committee
One of the most important responsibilities of the Council is its role in the selection of the campus President. In 1990, 1995 and again in 2003, the Council invoked its powers to recommend candidates for the Presidency. It formed a search committee of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community representatives. The search process involved other campus, alumni, and community leaders in the interviewing of candidates and eventually led to the recommendation of a campus President.

Engagement
While the duties of the Council are prescribed by law, the President has encouraged members to be actively engaged in campus activities and has fostered their personal affiliation with the institution. The members are contributors to the University's fund-raising efforts and leaders of our advancement and development initiatives in addition to their roles as Council members. The President meets informally throughout the year with individual Council members to maintain a free flow of information and views on topics affecting the campus. Members have served as advocates for the University through their contacts with the Governor, legislators, and community leaders. The Council at Albany has been an important and effective body working on behalf of the University and its future.

The Members
The members of the Council are prominent citizens, most usually from within the Capital Region, and reflect the diversity of our region, including women and men, members of minority as well as majority communities, alumni, business people, and professionals. The current make-up of the Council includes five lawyers, three of whom are based in New York City. The Council chairs have been notable civic leaders including, for example, the former mayor of Albany (Thomas Whalen) and a former judge (John Holt-Harris).