Zoom meeting
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Chief of Staff
Dr. Franklin Chambers, Vice President for External Affairs
Mr. Dennis Craig, Acting President
Dr. Leamor Kahanov, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mr. Hal Legg, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer
Ms. Julie Piscitello, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Lisa Snyder, Vice President for Strategy, Planning and Effectiveness
Dr. Bernadette Tiapo, Chief Diversity Officer
Ms. Karyn Wendrow, Director of Internal Communications
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Mr. Dave Geasey
Dr. Vicky Lentz
Ms. Danielle McMullen
Ms. Kathy Meeker
Mr. Zane Valachovic
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 2:34 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of Jan. 27, 2021
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Ms. Parisian, Council approved by unanimous vote the minutes of the Jan. 27, 2021 meeting.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown deferred his report.
Acting President’s Report
Mr. Craig noted the impressive start to the Student Research and Creative Activity Day. He introduced Ms. Wendrow, Ms. McMullen and Ms. Meeker.
The acting president reviewed his tenure at the college and shared that he was proud of what the institution had accomplished. He noted anticipation for the college’s spring traditions.
Acting President Craig recapped the recall of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the college’s response to it.
Mr. Craig shared that it is not yet known how the pandemic will affect fall enrollment and that Admissions is working hard on recruitment efforts. He mentioned that he had met with Sen. Charles Schumer earlier in the month to discuss higher education issues.
Mr. Craig encouraged Council members to listen to Dr. Chambers’ podcast, “In the Lair.” He added that SUNY Oneonta’s mascot, Red the Dragon was the winner of SUNY’s 2021 Mascot Madness competition.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown shared his appreciation for Ms. Brannan and wished her well in retirement. He announced the appointment of Major Gen. Anthony German (retired) to Council.
Mr. Brown noted that SUNY has benefitted from the dispositions of both the federal and state budgets. He spoke about the success of the state-run vaccination site on campus, noting that it is friendly and efficient.
Fall Planning 2021
Dr. Kahanov summarized the hope of SUNY Oneonta to return to more of a normal state in the fall, noting that the college must continue to adhere to COVID-related mandates, even as they may change.
The provost shared that fall on-campus housing capacity will be 3,000-3,100 beds. There will be residence hall space set aside for quarantine and isolation. She said that she anticipates athletics will resume a normal schedule, that the dining model likely will be a mix of take-out and in-person and that 70% of courses will have an on-campus component.
Dr. Kahanov pointed out that social distancing and mask wearing, testing and vaccination mandates remain an unknown for fall and that, because of this, the college expects to be flexible.
In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, Dr. Kahanov affirmed that the majority of faculty members look forward to returning to in-person instruction.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Kahanov clarified that the college will offer no triple rooms in the fall.
In response to a question from Dr. Georgeson, Dr. Kahanov said that she did not know how many college employees had been vaccinated.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Kahanov said that she did not know if SUNY would require students to be vaccinated before the fall 2021 semester. Mr. Craig added that SUNY is not requiring this at this time.
Budget Report
Dr. Snyder presented a fall 2021 enrollment data update and reviewed spring 2020 enrollment and a breakdown of related demography. She added that projected fall 2021 is lower than fall 2020 enrollment and that the Office of Admissions has implemented programming to encourage deposits.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Snyder said that it is not yet possible to know the relative significance of factors, such as the economic downturn and COVID, causing the enrollment decline.
Ms. Piscitello discussed the projected a $4 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year and its causes, for example, less state support, lower enrollment and reductions in fees that students pay. She noted that the college had refunded $24 million to students as a result of COVID and added that federal stimulus funds will amount to roughly $30 million, nearly $14 million of which will go directly to students.
Ms. Piscitello agreed with Mr. Brown that the state budget for 2021-2022 is favorable. She added that the state will pay deferred salary increased and that funding for the Tuition Assistance Program has been preserved with a higher maximum award.
Ms. Piscitello shared that enrollment drives roughly 80% of the college’s operating budget. She expressed concern about falling enrollment potentially causing a revenue decrease of $1.1 million to $2 million in 2021-2022. She described planning underway now to mitigate the effects of a revenue decrease by reducing spending by 4%.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Kahanov clarified that the college has extended the spring withdrawal date until the end of the semester and that the college accommodates students affected by the unique challenges of COVID.
In response to questions from Mr. Brown, Ms Piscitello clarified that the college refunded students for some of the expenses they had incurred in the fall 2020 semester and that the college is not considering personnel reduction as a cost saving measure.
ACT Report
Dr. Georgeson shared that the fall ACT conference is scheduled for Oct. 15-17. She added that ACT will reinstate its scholarships during the upcoming year.
Good of the Order
Mr. Brown mentioned that the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association has given him an award, which he will accept at a virtual event on June 12.
He updated Council regarding the search for a college president and described a schedule for completing the search committee’s work.
Ms. Brannan affirmed that she is looking forward to retirement.
Mr. Valachovic invited members to present at the Student Association’s Spotlight Speaker program.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier, seconded by Ms. Parisian, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 3:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Chief Communication and Marketing Officer