Glimmerglass Conference Room at the Hunt College Union
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Mr. Tim Nolan
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Chief of Staff
Mr. Hal Legg, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer
Dr. André Melendez, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Barbara Jean Morris, President
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Mr. Ed Aluck, Alumni Observer
Ms. Sue Clemons, Controller
Dr. Bill Wilkerson, Presiding Officer of the College Senate and Chair of the Faculty
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of Nov. 1, 2018 and Jan. 31, 2019
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Georgeson, the minutes of Nov. 1, 2018 were unanimously approved.
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Georgeson, the minutes of Jan. 31, 2019 were unanimously approved.
Resolution to Honor the Service of Assemblyman William Magee
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Brenner, the resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution to Honor the Service of Ms. Valerie Conforti
Mr. Brown read a resolution thanking Ms. Valerie Conforti for her service to Council. Upon motion by Dr. Georgeson, seconded by Mr. Bernier, the resolution passed unanimously.
President’s Report
Dr. Morris updated Council on the status of the mission “hackathons.” She shared that the college is updating its mission, which was last changed in 2010, and added that the process has crystallized the identity of the college.
The president reviewed the implications of the New York state budget on SUNY Oneonta. She discussed the enrollment forecast for fall 2019, highlighting that the college expects to enroll more students than had been anticipated.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Morris noted that triple-occupancy in the residence halls is expected to increase in the coming year and that students will be able to self-select tripling, adding that data shows no correlation between tripling and academic persistence. Ms. Clemons confirmed that the billed cost of attendance for the fall 2019 semester will be $11,199.
In response to a question from Mr. Nolan, Dr. Morris shared that the Division of Student Development is investigating ways the college might address resident advisors’ concerns.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown reported on the state budget, noting that the legislature has not passed a capital bill.
He mentioned the suspension of Greek life at a sister SUNY campus and suggested that the response to it may affect SUNY campuses statewide.
Mr. Brown recounted the governor’s administrative action unilaterally expanding New York’s MERIT scholarship program to make eligible the spouses and dependents of all military members from the state who were killed while performing any official duties.
College Senate Report
Dr. Wilkerson discussed the concept of shared governance and how it is implemented at SUNY Oneonta. He described College Senate’s membership, meeting schedule, committee structure and advisory role over a wide range of academic and other areas.
He described the College Senate’s responsibility in searches for administrators and gave examples of recent work undertaken by its committees, highlighting revision of the review, tenure and promotion process as an especially significant project.
Dr. Wilkerson offered that he looks forward to College Senate bylaw revision and general education reform in the coming year, and that Dr. Morris is a big supporter of shared governance, as demonstrated by her restructuring of the committee responsible for the budget to be more inclusive of faculty members.
ACT Report
Dr. Georgeson shared that the ACT will meet at the Otesaga Resort Oct. 18-20. She reviewed the scholarships that ACT awards to students. Mr. Brown added that ACT has had representation at meetings of the SUNY Board of Trustees, where the organization advocates for expedient filling of vacancies on college councils.
In response to a question from Dr. Wilkerson, Mr. Brown affirmed that some campuses’ college councils, including SUNY Oneonta’s, are not fully staffed. Ms. Brannan shared that the college has submitted two nominations for action by the governor’s office.
Update and Final Approval of Parking and Traffic Regulations
Ms. Clemons presented parking and traffic regulations as approved by SUNY. Mr. Bernier read a resolution to adopt the same. Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Georgeson, the resolution passed unanimously.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Mr. Nolan explained that the SUNY Oneonta Student Association does not lend motorized bikes to students.
Good of the Order
Mr. Brown invited Council members to commencement on May 11. Ms. Brannan added that this year’s ceremonies will include a student processional.
Mr. Bernier reflected on Student Research and Creative Activity Day, lauding the scholarship on display.
Mr. Nolan introduced himself formally to Council and shared his ambition to work more closely with other organizations and groups on campus.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 3:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Chief Communication and Marketing Officer