Presentation Room at the Welcome Center
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Ms. Donglei Li
Mr. Mark McGough
Ms. Debra Parisian
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Executive Assistant to the President
Dr. Franklin Chambers, Vice President for Student Development
Mr. Todd Foreman, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Mr. Kevin Jensen, Associate Vice President and Chief Enrollment Officer
Dr. Nancy Kleniewski, President
Dr. James Mackin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Terrence Mitchell, Chief Diversity Officer
Ms. Lisa Wenck, Senior Executive Employee Services Officer
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Ms. Daren Rylewicz, alumni observer
Dr. Bill Wilkerson, faculty observer
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Ms. Parisian, Council unanimously approved the minutes of its Nov. 1, 2017 meeting.
Upon motion of Dr. Georgeson, seconded by Mr. Brenner, Council unanimously approved the minutes of its Dec. 11, 2017 meeting.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown welcomed Mr. Rylewicz and Dr. Wilkerson and deferred the remainder of his report.
Mr. Brown thanked Council for participating in the presidential search and added that the Presidential Search Committee reviewed dozens of applications, hosted six candidates on campus and submitted three for Chancellor Johnson’s consideration. Mr. Brown said he looks forward to working with Dr. Barbara Morris as SUNY Oneonta’s new president.
Mr. Brown expressed concern that the legislative budget could negatively affect SUNY.
President’s Report
Dr. Kleniewski thanked the Presidential Search Committee and said that she has had very good interactions with Dr. Morris, who plans to visit campus this semester.
Dr. Kleniewski discussed her recent attendance at the State of the University Address. Chancellor Johnson would like SUNY to double research and innovation, increase sustainability, develop more partnerships and bring individualized education to a state-wide scale.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Kleniewski stated that Chancellor Johnson will deliver the keynote address at the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference on campus on April 20, and that she will have a formal visit the same day.
Dr. Kleniewski updated Council on the Milne Library first floor renovation and the completion of the Welcome Center. She discussed the location and funding of the new Emergency Services Building.
Dr. Kleniewski announced that our current enrollment management priorities are on track. She shared that her farewell tour is continuing.
Mr. Adamo added that College Advancement has raised over $241,000 for the first generation scholarship.
Dr. Kleniewski shared that the college is exploring the possibility of collaborating with the City of Oneonta to construct a building on Main Street in the Westcott Parking Lot.
In response to a question from Mr. McGough, Dr. Kleniewski stated that the fund source for such a project would be the Downtown Revitalization Fund.
Dr. Kleniewski shared with Council that SUNY Oneonta is one of six institutions chosen to pilot the SUNY Emergency Fund program, which provides grant assistance to students that encounter a hardship while attending college.
Traffic Fines Update
Mr. Foreman discussed proposed updates to the Parking and Traffic Violation policy.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Mr. Foreman responded that the chief of police leads the college’s parking and traffic commission, which includes faculty, staff, students and administrators.
In response to a question from Mr. Wilkerson, Mr. Foreman responded that e-bikes would be categorized under non-traditional vehicles. Mr. Wilkerson recommended that it if e-bikes are not allowed on campus, that it be specified within the policy.
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Mr. McGough, Council unanimously approved the Parking and Traffic Violation policy contingent upon legal counsel’s review.
Amnesty Policy Update and Proposed Neighborhood Relations Policy
Dr. Chambers updated Council on the Amnesty Policy that had been adopted in 2013. Dr. Chambers stated that the policy has been a success as the number of amnesty evaluations and transports have increased within the freshmen and sophomore classes.
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Chambers explained that students are required to complete a counseling regimen after an amnesty transport or evaluation.
In response to a question from Dr. Georgeson, Dr. Chambers stated that there has not been a narcotic issue here on campus and that our university police and resident advisors are trained in using NARCAN.
Ms. Li recommended that a gender-neutral pronoun (his/her) be used within the policy.
Dr. Chambers introduced the Neighborhood Relations policy to Council explaining that this policy is to prepare our students to be a better neighbor. He said that the policy was vetted and approved by the Student Association last semester and that the college is piloting a program whereby the Student Development office is helping 40 sophomores select the appropriate housing and set up budgets for off-campus living.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Chambers explained that Student Development is helping students with lease agreements as part of the pilot program.
In response to a question from Dr. Georgeson, Dr. Chambers shared that Student Development provides contact information for the City of Oneonta Code Enforcement Office to students participating in the pilot program.
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Mr. McGough, Council unanimously approved the Neighborhood Relations Policy.
ACT Report
Dr. Georgeson had no official report but asked Mr. Brown if he knows of a mechanism to help Council members with legislative advocacy. Mr. Brown said he would contact SUNY to pursue this.
Good of the Order
In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Kleniewski stated that she will meet with the college’s Title IX coordinator to review sexual misconduct policies.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier seconded by Dr. Georgeson, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Miller
Secretary, President’s Office