OAS Conference Room, Red Dragon Outfitters building
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Ms. Donglei Li
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for College Advancement
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Executive Assistant to the President
Mr. Todd Foreman, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Nancy Kleniewski, President
Mr. Hal Legg, Executive Director of Communications
Dr. Eileen Morgan-Zayachek, Associate Provost for Academic Programs
Ms. Lisa Wenck, Senior Executive Employee Services Officer
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Ms. Barbara Asheld, alumni observer
Ms. Jennifer Fila, Chief of University Police
Ms. Amanda Finch, Associate Vice President for Student Development
Mr. Andrew Stammel, Affirmative Action Officer & Title IX Coordinator
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Brenner, Council unanimously approved the minutes of its Sept. 25, 2017 meeting.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown shared that the presidential search was moving forward and that the search committee planned to host campus interviews in November and December.
Mr. Brown deferred the remainder of his report.
President’s Report
Dr. Kleniewski introduced Ms. Fila, who discussed in brief her vision for 21st Century Policing, community policing and the potential for departmental partnerships across campus.
Dr. Kleniewski discussed the enrollment targets as notes in the October edition of her monthly communiqué, Notes from Netzer. She referred to news items regarding the college’s Forbes ranking, and inclusion on the national list of Colleges of Distinction. The president noted the 25th anniversary of the Black List occurred this fall, and shared that the college had won its second Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, held a President's Conversation on Diversity focused on free speech, and hosted a nationally acclaimed diversity expert earlier in the day.
Dr. Kleniweski discussed her “farewell tour,” meetings focused on college advancement with alumni and friends of the college.
In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, Mr. Legg reviewed the progress toward ensuring compliance with federal accessibility mandates regarding the college’s website.
Free Speech – Campus Public and Classroom Spaces
Ms. Finch and Mr. Stammel delivered a presentation regarding the roles and responsibilities of their offices in ensuring free speech and expression on campus and educating members of the campus community about exercising their right to free speech. They discussed the breadth of protected speech, the SUNY policy related to maintenance of public order, the college’s authority to preserve public order, and the academic freedom of faculty.
In response to a question from Dr. Brenner, Mr. Stammel and Ms. Finch discussed the multitude of ideas and high level of discourse that characterize higher education and how they intersect with free speech on college campuses.
Mr. Brown noted the challenges inherent in protecting free speech while simultaneously protecting other rights. Mr. Sniezek noted that speech online also presents challenges. Dr. Morgan noted that the college provides training to ensure that faculty members can appropriately moderate online classes.
Student Association Report
Ms. Li delivered a presentation discussing the officers of the Student Association (SA) and their roles, the use of the activity fee, SA collaborations with other organizations and 2017-2018 priorities.
In response to a question from Dr. Kleniewski, Ms. Li discussed the activity fee refund process.
In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, Ms. Li described the transportation options that SA makes available to students. Dr. Kleniewski added that the SA is the primary funder of Oneonta Public Transit.
Vice Chair Selection
Upon motion of Ms. Li, seconded by Dr. Brenner, Council approved the selection of Mr. Bernier as council vice chair for 2017-2018 by unanimous vote.
ACT Report
Council took no action regarding this item.
Good of the Order
None
Adjournment
Upon motion by Mr. Bernier, seconded by Ms. Parisian, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Executive Director of Communications