Downstate SUNY Council
Established by Section 356 of the New York State Education Law, the SUNY Council of Downstate consists of ten members – 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 SUNY Board of Trustees policies, Downstate's SUNY 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 SUNY Council Members
Reverend Dr. Kirkpatrick Cohall, Chair
Michael Connors, Esq.
Tobi Somorin, Voting Student Member
Daniel Green, Nonvoting Student Member
Congressman Edolphus Towns
Dr. Marie P. Wilson DNP, WHNP, RNC-MNN, FNYAM, FADLN
Mirian Zavala, DNS, RN
Ex Officio:
Dr. Constance Shames
Marlene Diethrich Heath
Governance in Action:
The SUNY Council’s Role in Downstate’s Successful MSCHE Reaccreditation
Under the leadership of Reverend Kirkpatrick Cohall, the SUNY Council played an active role in SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s successful reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Council members supported the institution’s accreditation work by helping ensure that Downstate’s governance structure and oversight processes were described clearly and accurately in the Self-Study.
The Council contributed to the Self-Study’s governance section and helped strengthen the institution’s presentation of how governance functions in practice—through defined responsibilities, regular engagement, and oversight aligned with SUNY and MSCHE expectations.
During the MSCHE site visit, the SUNY Council met with the visiting accreditation review team, responded to questions, and provided perspective on Council activity and engagement with institutional leadership. The Council’s participation reinforced the integrity of Downstate’s governance
2025-2026 Meeting Schedule
- October 10, 2025
- April 2, 2025
- February 11, 2025