Jan. 31, 2019

Le Café at the Morris Conference Center
SUNY Oneonta

Present

Mr. Joseph Bernier
Mr. Patrick Brown
Ms. Valerie Conforti
Mr. Mark McGough

Presiding

Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair

College Administrators

Ms. Colleen Brannan, Chief of Staff
Mr. Kevin Jensen, Associate Vice President and Chief Enrollment Management Officer
Mr. Hal Legg, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer
Dr. André Melendez, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Barbara Jean Morris, President
Ms. Julie Piscitello, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Ms. Lisa Wenck, Senior Executive Employee Services Officer

Presenters, Invitees, Observers

Ms. Barbara Asheld, Alumni Observer

Call to Order

Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

President’s Report

Dr. Morris discussed the progress of the college’s search for a provost and updated members on her listening tour, sharing that three themes that have permeated conversation are welcoming inclusivity, service and sustainability.

Dr. Morris shared with Council that the college has begun to re-imagine its mission, and that the college has historically revised its mission every eight-10 years. Several forums to consider this task are planned this semester.

In response to a question from Mr. McGough, Dr. Morris clarified that input she gathered during the listening tour prompted the idea to re-imagine the mission.

In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Morris described the provost search process and the committee appointed to organize it.

In response to a question from Ms. Conforti, Dr. Morris described the college’s strategic plan audit, which is currently underway.

Chair’s Report

Mr. Brown reported that he attended the State of SUNY address, in which SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson focused on values, introduced “PRODI-G,” an initiative to increase diversity of SUNY faculty, and discussed online and individualized learning. He added that he would like Council to discuss SUNY Oneonta’s vision for online learning at a future meeting.

Mr. Brown shared an update regarding the volume of major legislation passed by the state, characterizing it as unprecedented in his tenure. He added that the governor’s legislative proposal would significantly shape policy if adopted.

Budget and Enrollment Strategy Report

Mr. Jensen and Ms. Piscitello delivered a presentation affirming that the college anticipates meeting enrollment and revenue targets and funding $1.2 million in salary increases during fiscal year 2018-2019. Ms. Piscitello spoke about how the college will increase enrollment while not overburdening residence halls and referred to a document charting planned revenue growth through fiscal year 2024-2025.

In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Ms. Piscitello clarified that the college expects traditional, residential students to drive enrollment growth.

Mr. Jensen referred to a document describing moderate enrollment growth, consistent with planned revenue growth, through the fall of 2024. He added that residence hall capacity and renovation will affect the college’s pace of growth.

In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Ms. Piscitello shared that students who receive the Excelsior Scholarship generate less revenue than students who do not receive the Excelsior Scholarship. Mr. Jensen added that SUNY Oneonta students received over $2.1 in Excelsior Scholarship funding in 2017-2018 and that the scholarship reduces the debt of students’ parents.

In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Mr. Jensen confirmed that the size of high school graduating classes state-wide will continue to decline overall through the next several years.

In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Mr. Jensen stated that market dynamics drive the gender mix of the college’s student body.

In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Ms. Piscitello offered that there is no way to directly compare the financial positions of sister SUNY schools. She added that SUNY enrollment caps seem unlikely.

In response to questions from Ms. Conforti, Mr. Jensen described enrollment yield as historically stable and Ms. Pisciletto shared her assessment that the number of beds available in residence halls is commensurate with the college’s growth plans.

Student Association Report

Ms. Conforti described significant operations within SUNY Oneonta’s Student Association and shared that SUNY Oneonta’s Student Association was the first within SUNY to have a strategic plan. She referred to a document listing each of the 115 clubs that the Student Association funds and identified areas of concern that students have brought to the Association’s attention.

In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Ms. Conforti described some of the financial controls in place within the Association.

Resolution to Honor the Service of Assemblyman William Magee

Mr. Brown read the following into the record:

Whereas, Assemblyman William Magee is a well known, highly respected, lifelong resident of the Town of Nelson, New York who served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly 121st District from January 3, 1991 until December 31, 2018; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee has been a faithful supporter of SUNY Oneonta, aggressively seeking capital funding for the college, which has contributed to the outstanding condition of its campus facilities and infrastructure; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee was instrumental in securing funding to construct the Alumni Field House and Welcome Center, to rehabilitate Fitzelle Hall, and to renovate Physical Science and the Milne Library; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee has, through his efforts as a legislator, enhanced academic programs and student learning at SUNY Oneonta, and improved the college’s ability to recruit and retain students; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee served as a member of the Committee on Higher Education, where he represented six colleges and universities; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee has always believed in the promise and promoted the cause of higher education as a pathway to prosperity and fulfillment; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee chaired the Assembly Agriculture Committee for over 20 years, advocating for rural communities and authoring legislation to foster the resurgence of farm breweries and cideries, spur new markets for apple growers, and revitalize the hops industry; and

Whereas, Mr. Magee has devoted his professional life to public service; now therefore

Be it resolved, that the College Council of the State University of New York College at Oneonta on behalf of the entire college community, hereby expresses its sincerest thanks to Assemblyman William Magee for his 27 years of commitment to his constituents, to higher education, and to the State of New York, and wishes him well in the next phase of his life’s journey.

Mr. Brown added that he has enjoyed his professional relationship with Mr. Magee.

Good of the Order

Mr. Brown shared that he is planning a trip to Africa to visit his daughter in South Africa.

Ms. Brannan shared that SUNY Oneonta was represented at an energy summit at the Otesaga.

Mr. Brown shared that Council will try to accommodate members’ requests for tours of various campus buildings.

Adjournment

Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Chief Communication and Marketing Officer

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