8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Virtual Meeting via Teams
Attendees:
Voting Members
- Sondra Aman
- Mike Andriatch
- Sarah Boroski
- Justine Briggs
- Austin Busch
- James Cordeiro
- Frances Dearing
- Linda Delene
- Hailey Gardner
- Kandie Gay
- Daniel Goebel
- Kristin Hartway
- Tom Hernandez
- Jose Maliekal
- Dave Mihalyov
- Janet Roy
- James Spiller
- Mark Stacy
- Elliot Weininger
- Katy Wilson
Non-Voting Members
- Bob Cushman
- Eileen Daniel
- Damita Davis
- Crystal Hallenbeck
- Mike Harrison
- Sara Kelly
- Jason Morris
- Kevin Rice
- Darson Rhodes: Co-Chair
- Karen Riotto
- Taneika Thompson
- Jim Wall: Co-Chair
- Melissa Wight
Guests
- Monica Brasted
- Nathan Bull
- Steve Cook
- Jennifer Green
- Scott Haines
- Mehruz Kamal
- Tammy Jo Manz
- Sandy Mosher
- Heather Raczkowski
- Jennifer Ramsay
- Craig Ross
- Rey Sia
- Robert Wyant
REGRETS:
Voting Members
- Margaret Lane
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.
Approval of the Minutes
Dr. Rhodes asked the committee to review the minutes from the December 16, 2021, meeting. Provost Delene motioned to approve the minutes; Ms. Dearing seconded the motion. 14 members voted to approve the minutes. Therefore, the minutes were approved.
Announcements
Dr. Rhodes made the following announcements:
- Today’s meeting will be recorded in Teams.
- New members were welcomed to the committee. They are the following:
- Sarah Boroski – Graduate Student Representative
- Austin Busch – Faculty Representative
- Dr. Houston-Wilson was thanked for her serving on the committee during the fall semester while Dr. Busch was on sabbatical.
State Budget Update - SUNY
Mr. Mihalyov provided members with an update on the State budget. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The question was raised regarding how all of the funding being mentioned for the State budget proposal is being obtained with a shrinking tax base in the state. It was stated that there was a large amount of federal stimulus money that is available for one time use. In addition, tax revenues were higher than anticipated. Also, Wall Street had a good year, so when Wall Street has a good year the State benefits because they pay out multi-million-dollar bonuses that get taxed at a high rate. This year’s budget is anticipated to be a balanced budget. This is the first time the State has had a balanced budget in a long time. Last year there was a structural deficit in the budget proposal. Governor Hochul has stated that she anticipates a balanced budget proposal through 2027.
- The statement was made that the proposal for the State Education Department to streamline the approval process for academic programs has been proposed for the last several years and it has not been passed. It was stated that this is the first year that it is in the Governor’s proposal. It is harder to take something out of the Governor’s proposal than it is to add an item.
Review and Approve Spring Call Letters for BSG, BASC & DIFR
Members reviewed the call letters for BSG, BASC and DIFR. No updates or corrections were proposed. Provost Delene motioned for the approval of the call letters; Dr. Spiller seconded the motion. The following are the voting results of the present voting members:
| Approve | Not Approve |
|---|---|
| 16 | 0 |
JPBC Investment Fund Discussion
Mr. Wall and Dr. Rhodes presented information on the JPBC Investment Fund. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The concern was raised regarding using one-time use funds to hire personnel and how the College would be able to maintain the salaries once the year is complete. It was stated that the goal is to find funding over the course of the year to continue to support the positions in retention and enrollment. Currently we have 80 open positions so this may be an area where we can find funding, but we will have one year to determine that.
- The question was raised regarding if the $2.2 million being presented was from unanticipated savings and that it wouldn’t impact reserves, but this money could be added to reserves. It was stated that the $2.2 million was not in the reserve forecast the last time it was reviewed. The funding is because we spent less than what was budgeted for the year. We had to wait to see if any of this funding was needed to cover COVID costs, but we were able to cover the costs with the stimulus funds. A decision could have been made to roll this funding over to reserves or to give it back to the divisions. The decision was made to use it for initiatives that have been on hold for the past year and half to two years.
- The question was raised if we can anticipate this level of unanticipated savings for this budget year and going forward that would reduce the structural deficit that is in the budget presentations. It was stated that we do not anticipate seeing this level of rollover going forward. This is just a result of the campus spending less during COVID. We had salary savings and less spending on other items. This rollover was unexpected, and we don’t anticipate it happening every year.
- The question was raised regarding how the Investment Fund Subcommittee would consult with other groups on campus that are working on retention and recruitment initiatives so that work is not duplicated. It was stated that a process regarding how the subcommittee would consult with the other groups would be discussed at the first meeting.
- The request was made for the persistence plan to be shared with the call letter so that individuals can develop plans to complement the plan. It was stated that a plan will be developed on how to share the information.
- The question was raised regarding if the funding would need to be spent this fiscal year. It was stated that the funds need to be spent in the next 12 months.
Admissions Update
Dr. Kelly and Mr. Wyant provided an update on admissions and retention. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The request was made to have the academic metrics of the whole class that was admitted. To have the proportionality would help to better understand the numbers being presented regarding the average high school GPA of the students who left. If the students that are leaving have a higher GPA than the ones that are staying is a different problem than if the students that are leaving have a lower GPA than the ones that are staying. It was stated that the average high school GPA for the accepted students in the fall 2021 cohort was 88.98. The average high school GPA for the registered students was 88.58. It was added that more information will be compiled and shared for better analysis.
- The question was raised regarding the regents scores compared to the GPA. It was stated that regents scores are a volatile number right now because students may only have one or two regents completed so the averages are skewed significantly. Many schools are not offering the exams and students are receiving exceptions.
- The question was raised regarding if it would be possible to see first semester Brockport academic outcomes of students who left in good standing in terms of GPA, number of course withdrawals, grade distributions, etc. It was stated that it is possible, and the information would be compiled with the assist of Institutional Research.
- The request was made for a DFWI report (Drops, Failures, Withdrawals and Incompletes) by class. If we have a particular class that has 80% of the enrollees that are a DFWI then we have an instructional problem. The normal rate is 12-16%. If there are classes that range between 40-80% there are problems with content, students, instructor or materials. If you find that a student is in three of the DFWI classes then you have a targeted population where you can bring some mediation and support assistance to help them, but we need the data first. It was stated that these reports are conducted. There have been courses that have been discovered and have been addressed. There is still more work to be done with these reports. In addition, the reports are compiled for the Academic Success Center so that they are prepared to assist students in particular courses. It was added that this year is a very different year with academic dismissals, and we have never had the number of students below a 1.0 and many that were below a 1.0 were below 0.5. It is unknown if it is COVID related or the generation that is currently in college, but their expectation was if they appealed and sent in a doctor’s note, they would be reinstated.
- The question was raised if the current retention information is the predictive norm now or if this is related with COVID. It was stated that it is unknown, and we are awaiting census data to review. It was added that Dr. Kelly and Mr. Wyant will be invited back after the census data has been reviewed so that they can share the findings with the committee.
Attrition Rate Update
Mr. Wall provided an attrition rate update. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The question was raised regarding what qualifies an individual to be retirement eligible. It was stated that the criteria used was if an individual was at least age 55 and with at least 10 years of service.
- The question was raised regarding what the typical annual percentage of individuals retiring from the college. It was stated the percentage ranges from 8-12%.
- The question was raised if that percentage is factored into the budget projections. It was stated that it is assumed all budgeted positions will be filled. Typically, there are salary savings that are achieved over the course of a search to fill a vacancy. Each vacancy is reviewed to see if the position should be filled, repurposed or captured.
Strategic Plan Update
President Macpherson provided an update on the Strategic Plan. There were no questions or discussion points at this time.
Other Items from the Committee
- Members were encouraged to share the information that was presented today, especially the information regarding the State budget, enrollment & retention and the strategic plan. Members were also asked to encourage campus community members to attend JPBC meetings where they can learn this information.
- Members were asked to share that SUNY is an incredible educational resource not just for residents of NY, but for out-of-state residents as well. It is an opportunity to advocate for our state to rethink the out-of-state policy and provide creative ways to help the SUNY budget challenge.
- Members were given a challenge to share something kind with a coworker or student.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
DR/JW/mw