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, Ms. Virginia Russock, Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Presiding
Mr. Patrick Brown, Chair
College Administrators
Ms. Ellen Blaisdell, Director of Gift Planning
Ms. Colleen Brannan, Senior Assistant to the President
Mr. Todd Foreman, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Nancy Kleniewski, President
Mr. Hal Legg, Director of Communications
Dr. Steve Perry, Vice President for Student Development
Dr. Maria Thompson, Provost
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Dr. Mary Bruck, Interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Mr. Paul Pearlman, President of the College at Oneonta Foundation
Mr. Burton Relethford, Alumni Observer
Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion of Mr. Bernier, seconded by Dr. Campbell, the minutes of the meeting of April 23, 2014 were approved.
Chair's Report
Mr. Brown welcomed Ms. Debra Parisian to Council, expressed his appreciation of Ms. Andrea Campbell for her service, and deferred his report.
President's Report
President Kleniewski delivered a preliminary report regarding admissions for the 2014 academic year.
She reviewed the academic profile of the incoming class, the diversity within it, and the scholarships awarded to its members. The president highlighted recent external rankings of the college, noting repeated recognition for value and affordability. She added that the college received a national award for diversity.
The president shared that she is hosting coffee hours regularly this semester as a way for members of the campus community to gain access to her, and that she has initiated a President’s Executive Council to broaden input she receives regarding college stewardship.
The president announced that the college’s progress toward achieving its fundraising goal has continued.
The president described efforts to respond to reports of disruptive behavior. In response to a question from Mr. McGough, the president and Dr. Perry reviewed efforts to share these efforts with the media and the community.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Perry reviewed the college’s judicial system and cooperation with local police agencies.
Provost's Report
Provost Thompson referred to materials regarding the Community of Scholars, adding that participation has increased this year in comparison to last year. She also referred to an announcement describing General Education requirement changes effective spring and fall 2015.
In response to a question from Mr. Brown, Dr. Thompson clarified that direction from SUNY prompted the changes to the SUNY Oneonta curriculum and added that the new requirements will facilitate graduation within four years, reduce unnecessary duplication of course offerings as students move among SUNY campuses during their undergraduate careers, and could increase the number of graduates system-wide.
Admissions and Enrollment Report
Dr. Perry delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding fall enrollment and introduced Dr. Bruck to discuss enrollment trends and emerging concerns within higher education.
Mr. Brown commented that Ivy League colleges effectively partner with their alumni to bolster recruitment. Dr. Kleniewski added that growth will be driven at least in part by external factors. In response to a question from Mr. Relethford, Dr. Bruck affirmed the possibility of accelerated bachelor’s degree programs and other approaches toward offering educational programs in different modalities.
Naming Gift Opportunity for the Science Discovery Center
Ms. Blaisdel introduced Mr. Pearlman and offered the following resolution for consideration by Council:
With gratitude to Mr. Albert J. Read for his and his family’s generous gifts to support the Science Discovery Center and the Sciences at SUNY Oneonta, the College Council moves to endorse President Nancy Kleniewski’s approval, and approves the naming of the Science Discovery Center in the Physical Science Building the Albert J. Read Science Discovery Center.
On motion by Dr. Brenner, seconded by Mr. Bernier, the resolution was adopted unanimously.
ACT Report
Dr. Georgeson reported that Mr. Brown, Mr. Sniezek and she attended the annual ACT conference in Lake George, where they heard presentations regarding the state budget, advocacy, lobbying efforts, and student recruitment and retention.
Good of the Order
Mr. Brown announced that he was elected second vice president of the ACT.
Adjournment
On motion of Ms. Kainat, seconded by Mr. Brenner, Mr. Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Legg