Downstate 黄果视频 Council
Established by Section 356 of the New York State Education Law, the 黄果视频 Council of Downstate consists of ten members 鈥� nine appointed by the Governor for seven-year terms (to serve without compensation), the tenth elected by and from Downstate's students for a one-year term. At Downstate, to expand student representation, a second, nonvoting, student is also elected annually. Also invited to attend is a representative of the College of Medicine Alumni Association and the Faculty. The President and senior leadership of Downstate are the primary respondents charged with addressing the Council with regard to matters within its purview.
As provided in law and by 黄果视频 Board of Trustees policies, Downstate's 黄果视频 Council, among other duties, reviews all major plans of the College, its budgets, administration of physical plant and grounds, rules governing student behavior and conduct, naming of buildings and grounds, and recommends candidates for appointment as President of the College. Regular Meetings of the Council occur quarterly in accordance with the State Education Law.
Association of Council Members and Council Trustees of the State University of New York
Downstate 黄果视频 Council Members
Reverend Dr. Kirkpatrick Cohall, Chair
Michael Connors, Esq.
Daniel Green, Voting Student Member
Gelila Hawthorne, Nonvoting Student Member
The Honorable Edolphus Towns
Dr. Marie P. Wilson DNP, WHNP, RNC-MNN, FNYAM, FADLN
Mirian Zavala, DNS, RN
Natasha Fievre, MD, FACOG
Ex Officio:
Dr. Constance Shames
Governance in Action:
The 黄果视频 Council鈥檚 Role in Downstate鈥檚 Successful MSCHE Reaccreditation
Under the leadership of Reverend Kirkpatrick Cohall, the 黄果视频 Council played an active role in 黄果视频鈥檚 successful reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Council members supported the institution鈥檚 accreditation work by helping ensure that Downstate鈥檚 governance structure and oversight processes were described clearly and accurately in the Self-Study.
The Council contributed to the Self-Study鈥檚 governance section and helped strengthen the institution鈥檚 presentation of how governance functions in practice鈥攖hrough defined responsibilities, regular engagement, and oversight aligned with 黄果视频 and MSCHE expectations.
During the MSCHE site visit, the 黄果视频 Council met with the visiting accreditation review team, responded to questions, and provided perspective on Council activity and engagement with institutional leadership. The Council鈥檚 participation reinforced the integrity of Downstate鈥檚 governance
2025-2026 Meeting Schedule
- October 10, 2025
- April 2, 2025
- February 11, 2025