September 25, 2024
Welcome Center Presentation Room
SUNY Oneonta
Present
Mr. Alec Hodge
Ret. Maj. Gen. Anthony German
Mr. Gary Herzig
Ms. Debra Parisian
Mr. Daniel Sniezek
Ms. Stacie Haynes
Mr. Will Rivera
Presiding
Mr. Gary Herzig
University Administrators
Mr. Paul Adamo, Vice President for University Advancement
Mr. Dirk Budd, University Police Chief
Dr. Alberto Cardelle, University President
Dr. Tracy Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs
Ms. Lisa Miller, Senior Communication and Marketing Officer
Dr. Enrique Morales-Diaz, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ms. Julie Piscitello, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Dr. Bernadette Tiapo, Chief Diversity Officer
Ms. Karyn Wendrow, Chief of Staff
Ms. J. Caroline Williams, Director of Community and Government Relations
Presenters, Invitees, Observers
Mr. Ed Aluck, Alumni Representative
Ms. Pam Hilton, Director of Admissions
Dr. Keith Jones, Presiding Officer of the Faculty and Chair of the College Senate
Mr. Martin Levine, SUNY legal counsel
Mr. Mark Farrell, Instructional Support Technician
Call to Order
Mr. Herzig called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of April 24, 2024, were approved by unanimous vote, with one small change to the title of Council member German.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Herzig congratulated the university on recent positive headlines in the news, including a top 10 ranking on the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 list of “Best Colleges” in the Northeast.
President’s Report
Dr. Cardelle kicked off his report by sharing that the 2024-2025 academic year is going very well so far and reported that the incoming class seems to be a very engaged group. He introduced J. Caroline Williams, the university’s new Director of Community and Government Relations, who was appointed to the position following a national search. Ms. Williams said she is looking forward to getting started working in the community and welcomes input from the Council on priorities.
Dr. Cardelle gave several other updates, including:
- three recent positive rankings for SUNY Oneonta, by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Money.com;
- updates on Facilities work to improve the campus, including a Sherman Hall renovation to accommodate staff from the Netzer Administration Building who will be displaced when the building undergoes a major rehabilitation project in summer 2025, $2 million in Americans with Disabilities Act site accessibility updates, the reopening of the Hunt Union Ballroom, and smaller projects in several other campus buildings;
- new sustainability initiatives, including several waste reduction and renewable energy projects and the reopening of the Red Closet Thrift Shop in the Hunt Union;
- strong student engagement in the new Empire State Service Corps – SUNY Chancellor John B. King and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado were on campus last week for a press conference about the new program, where students can be paid to perform public service work on campus and in the community. SUNY Oneonta had the highest number of applicants – 200 applicants for 500 slots statewide – and will have up to 48 students in paid service positions.
- the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, a coalition of universities across the country to increase civic engagement and voter registration among students, with programming funded by a grant;
- funding from SUNY to create an on-campus interfaith space in Lee Hall; and
- an American Talent Initiative grant funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies to create a Center for Community College Partnerships at SUNY Oneonta, with the goal of increasing enrollment and success among low-income transfer students at area community colleges. Related to that effort, Dr. Cardelle shared that SUNY Oneonta will have a Transfer Summit in October with a guest speaker from the Aspen Institute and representation from several SUNY institutions.
Dr. Cardelle also talked about two emerging university initiatives:
- an Applied Learning Taskforce that is developing a plan for all students to complete two experiential learning activities, designated as Purposeful Endeavors, as a requirement for graduation; and
- a Research Plan Taskforce that is developing a plan to increase faculty and student research on campus. He said this is an area where we lag among sister institutions and where we want to continue to grow.
Update on Free Expression Policies
Dr. Cardelle introduced two challenges for which the institution is preparing, related to freedom of expression and Title VI, and introduced Mr. Levine, who gave an overview of Title VI under the Civil Rights Act, which deals with race, national origin and religion. Someone can’t be denied benefits or face discrimination on a campus because of one of those factors. The Office of Civil Rights regulates complaints under Title VI and has recently done extensive investigations of campus climates at a number of private and public universities, Levine said, and Title VI has become an area of primary focus for discrimination claims on university campuses. The goal at SUNY is to ensure that every campus is prepared by educating campus communities about resources available to them, and making sure campuses are communicating with the workforce to increase awareness, prevent discrimination and provide support for those who have been affected.
Ms. Haynes asked whether SUNY Oneonta’s ability to create procedures around Title VI relates to our status as a public institution. Mr. Levine provided additional details on how Title VI intersects with the First Amendment, including the university’s ability to have restrictions on time, place and manner of protests – a tool universities and other government entities can use to address Title VI without infringing on free speech. He said SUNY’s policies for encampments, ID cards, posting fliers and other advertisements on campus, and time place and manner for assembly have been shared and universities throughout the system with the goal of balancing freedom of speech with the ability to ensure a safe and conducive environment for both students and employees.
Dr. Cardelle gave an update on related university policies that have been created or revised, including Freedom of Expression and Assembly, Facilities Use Policy, Posting and Advertising on Campus, and Camping and Use of Tents on Campus. He also shared work to educate students about the university’s Bias Act Response Team and proactively empower students to understand that SUNY Oneonta is a safe space and there is “no place for hate” here.
Ret. Maj. Gen. German asked whether students know where and how to report incidents and Mr. Rivera asked about individualized case management and advocacy services.
Dr. Cardelle said Dr. Tiapo has set up meetings with leaders of multicultural student groups to eliminate barriers to communication and reporting in the event of a bias act or protest that may make students feel unsafe or discriminated against.
Ms. Haynes asked whether the university is doing anything to prepare for potential unrest related to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, and Dr. Cardelle answered in the affirmative.
Enrollment Updates
Ms. Hilton gave an update on recruitment, including enrollment this fall of just over 1,200 new first-year, 302 new transfer, 20 new readmitted and 176 new graduate students. She said Admissions counselors are on the road, meeting with school counselors at several well attended off-site events and gearing up for a busy recruitment season with more than 20 events planned. Ms. Hilton also mentioned two upcoming initiatives, the SUNY-wide free application period beginning Oct. 21, and participation in a new “10 Percent Match” SUNY initiative to offer guaranteed admission to the top students from 270 school districts in the state.
Dr. Jones asked how things are shaping up this year with the FAFSA application. Ms. Hilton said the FAFSA and TAP applications were slated to be available Dec. 1 and glitches that came up last year are being addressed. He also asked about the AVP for Enrollment’s trip to India and Ms. Hilton said this work is part of an intentional effort to recruit more international students. Mr. Sniezek asked about Latin America; Dr. Cardelle said we have spoken to a consultant and may explore options there.
Provost Morales-Diaz gave a high-level overview of the SUNY Oneonta Student Retention Plan in development, with a focus on equity and student success. The retention strategies are aligned with a recent American Talent Initiative report and Equity Gap Analysis; the goal is to provide more support for at-promise students and close equity gaps, reduce academic dismissals and achievement gaps, and improve financial literacy and academic engagement.
Mr. Herzig asked how the new EAB Navigate software provides early alerts about students who may need assistance. Provost Morales-Diaz gave examples of how the new system connects faculty and support staff in a single platform where information can be shared and outreach to students can be conducted. Dr. Cardelle suggested a demonstration of the new tool at the next Council meeting.
Title IX Update and Student Withdrawal Policy Changes Update
Dr. Johnson gave an overview of the new Involuntary Leave Policy, which is meant to ensure that the university is doing all it can to provide students with the proper support. The policy outlines steps for a student who is involuntarily withdrawn and outlines the actions the university will take. The Office of Accessibility Resources is heavily involved, to make sure the university is providing proper accommodations to students, and the Behavior Assessment and Intervention Team is taking a more proactive role in making sure students are provided with the right resources.
Mr. Sniezek asked for more clarification; Dr. Johnson reiterated that this is not a disciplinary or punitive policy; it allows the university to help students who are not healthy or may pose a threat to the community by supporting them and working to bring them back to the institution once they comply with steps that need to be taken.
Dr. Tiapo gave an overview of updates to the Title IX policy consistent with guidance released in April 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education, including expanded information on sexual harassment to address sex-based harassment and encompass a wider range of things, including sexual orientation and gender identity. It also emphasizes support to survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault or sex-based violence regardless of whether a formal Title IX complaint has been filed, and stipulates that the university has an obligation to investigate and respond to both oral and written complaints about events that include either on or off campus.
Dr. Jones asked whether these policy changes are coming from SUNY or state government. Dr. Johnson clarified that the Involuntary Leave Policy came from SUNY and Dr. Tiapo clarified that the Title IX policy changes came from the Department of Education.
Mr. Rivera referenced his own input to the U.S. Department of Education on the policy, advocating for it to go a step further and include “sexualized behaviors.” He gave the example of an Artificial Intelligence-generated photo of someone created without their knowledge or consent.
University Council Vice Chair Selection
Mr. Herzig said Mr. Bernier is interested in continuing as vice chair and opened the floor for additional nominations, Hearing none, he asked for a motion to elect Joe Bernier as vice chair. Mr. Sniezek made the motion and Mr. Rivera seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
ACT Representative Selection
Mr. Herzig said Dr. Georgeson is interested in continuing as vice chair and opened the floor for additional nominations. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to elect Dr. Georgeson as ACT Representative. Mr. Rivera made the motion and Ms. Parisian seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Good of the Order
Mr. Sniezek mentioned the ACT Conference this weekend and thanked Dr. Cardelle and Ms. Wendrow for planning to attend. Dr. Cardelle announced that one of SUNY Oneonta’s students will be receiving an ACT Scholarship.
Dr. Cardelle referenced the new Drive for 135 initiative in celebration of SUNY Oneonta’s 135th anniversary, with the goal of working with SUNY Oneonta alumni to establish 135 new or recommitted student internships by September 2025.
Dr. Tiapo shared that SUNY Oneonta is the recipient for the second year in a row of the Insights into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
Mr. Adamo said he is looking forward to having Mr. Herzig on campus next month to present on behalf of the University Council at a campus dialogue session, along with representatives of the University Foundation and Alumni Association board of directors.
Dr. Johnson said over 1,900 people are registered to be on campus Sept. 27-29 for Family Weekend and invited Council members to attend.
Dr. Tiapo invited Council members to a Hispanic Heritage Month event the next day featuring a poet from Pennsylvania titled “The Trouble with My Name.”
Adjournment
Mr. Herzig adjourned the meeting at 5:33 p.m.