DRAFT
Le Café at the Morris Conference Center
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Joseph Bernier
Dr. David Brenner
Mr. Patrick Brown
Ms. Valerie Conforti
Dr. Diane Georgeson
Mr. Mark McGough
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
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. Barbara Jean Morris, President
Ms. Julie Piscitello, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Lisa Snyder, Assistant Vice President for Strategy, Planning and Effectiveness
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Ms. Barbara Asheld, Alumni Observer
Dr. Bill Wilkerson, Presiding Officer of the College Senate
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion of Dr. Georgeson, seconded by Mr. McGough, Council unanimously approved the minutes of its Sept. 24, 2018 meeting.
President’s Report
Dr. Morris updated Council regarding the progress of the college’s search for a provost. She extended her thanks to Dr. Wilkerson, Dr. Snyder and Ms. Brannan for their work on the search, which has drawn a pool of over 90 candidates. She added that she has appointed Dr. André Melendez interim provost for the spring semester of 2019.
Dr. Morris shared that she has met with academic departments, students, administrative units, alumni and others in relation to her listening tour.
The president mentioned that over 300 people attended a vigil in remembrance of the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue, hosted by Oneonta Chabad and held at the Hunt College Union on Oct. 31.
SWOT Analysis
Dr. Morris led Council in an activity to share their opinions about what the college’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are. In response to a question from Mr. Bernier, Dr. Morris clarified that she has had conversations around this topic with groups of students. In response to a question from Mr. Sniezek, she added that she had not yet reached out to online students.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Brown shared that state elections likely will result in a thin majority for one of the major political parties and discussed the potential ramifications of this outcome. He added that the state’s budget office is calling for flat budgets for the next fiscal year. He encouraged Council and the president to watch the State of the State address in January.
College Council Vice Chair Selection
Upon motion of Mr. Sniezek, seconded by Dr. Georgeson, Council voted unanimously to select Mr. Bernier as vice chair.
Good of the Order
Ms. Brannan reminded Council that December Recognition will be held Dec. 2.
Dr. Georgeson reported on the annual Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT) conference. She suggested that Council consider asking a member of the faculty and the student Council representative to give reports at Council meetings. Mr. Brown added that Mr. Sniezek was elected second vice president of ACT.
Adjournment
Upon a motion by Mr. Bernier, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg
Chief Communication and Marketing Officer