Le Café, Morris Conference Center
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Ms. Kainat Malik
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Senior Assistant to the President
Dr. Franklin Chambers, Vice President for Student Development
Mr. Todd Foreman, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Nancy Kleniewski, President
Mr. Kevin Jensen, Associate Vice President and Chief Enrollment Management Officer
Mr. Hal Legg, Executive Director of Communications
Dr. James Mackin, Interim Provost
Mr. Terrence Mitchell, Chief Diversity Officer
Ms. Lisa Wenck, Senior Executive Employee Services Officer
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Mr. Erik Andersen, Director of Student Accounts
Ms. Barbara Asheld, Alumni Observer
Ms. Sue Clemons, Controller
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion of Ms. Malik, seconded by Mr. Bernier, the minutes of the meeting of Nov. 10, 2015 were unanimously approved.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown deferred his report and welcomed Ms. Asheld.
President’s Report
Dr. Kleniewski introduced Mr. Jensen. She shared that the class she is teaching this semester is going well.
The president updated Council on the college’s provost search and shared that the college has received from SUNY $750,000 in collaboration with SUNY Potsdam for an applied learning project, $350,000 in collaboration with SUNY Cobleskill to improve financial literacy among students, $90,000 to enhance student advising, and $20,000 to conduct a graduate program needs assessment.
Dr. Kleniewski referred to a document introducing the Access to College Excellence program, which will enroll and support low-to-moderate-income first-generation students, and another document describing a proposal for an emergency management services center to be constructed on campus.
The president shared a summary of accolades and recent favorable rankings of the college.
In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, the president clarified SUNY’s completion goals for SUNY Oneonta. In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, she concurred that tuition increases affect college affordability among middle class families.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown discussed the state budget. He noted that the governor’s proposal is favorable to SUNY, and that CUNY and K-12 districts are lobbying the state legislature for additional funding, which may reduce the amount that SUNY eventually receives.
He added that the governor’s proposal includes a significant amount of funding for capital projects.
Mr. Brown shared that he attended a lecture from U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara regarding ethics within the state legislature.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Mackin shared points of interest from his experience teaching this semester, noting the potential for growth in students’ writing skills. He also summarized activities underway to shorten students’ time to degree and described enhancements to the college’s course schedule planning process.
Dr. Mackin clarified that students register for classes online and added that the college likely will implement an early alert system to assist student struggling academically.
Making Cent$—SUNY Oneonta’s Financial Literacy Program
Mr. Andersen delivered a presentation regarding an ongoing initiative to improve students’ financial literacy.
Facilities Report
Mr. Foreman delivered a presentation describing construction priorities, projects and progress.
ACT Report
Dr. Georgeson reported that the annual ACT conference will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Rochester.
Good of the Order
Adjournment
On motion of Ms. Malik, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 6:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg