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College Council Meeting Minutes: September 28, 2022

Present

  • Martin Abraham, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs
  • Felicia Amoafo Kumi, Brockport Student Government President
  • Mike Andriatch, VP for Advancement
  • Damita Davis, Chief Diversity Officer
  • Andrea Guzzetta, College Council
  • Heidi Macpherson, President
  • Roosevelt Mareus, Dean and Executive Director, REOC
  • Jason Morris, College Senate President
  • Lesli Myers-Small, College Council
  • Carla Sansalone, Alumni Association President
  • Scott Turner, College Council Chair
  • Chris Wiest, College Council
  • Katy Wilson, VP for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Bridgette Wiefling, College Council

ABSENT

  • Lauren Kelly, College Council
  • Ken Pink, College Council
  • Jim Wall, VP for Administration and Finance

I. Chair’s Report [Mr. Turner]

  1. The meeting convened at 4:31pm.
  2. Mr. Turner discussed College Council membership and asked current Council members to review their information and ensure that it is correct. He also asked if they receive a letter reappointing them that they share the information.
  3. Mr. Turner welcomed the new College Council members for the year, Ms. Felicia Amoafo Kumi, BSG President; Dr. Jason Morris, College Senate President; and Ms. Carla Sansalone, Alumni Association President. He also welcomed the new Provost, Dr. Martin Abraham.
  4. Mr. Turner discussed his annual review of President Macpherson, and he encouraged Council members to give feedback to SUNY if asked regarding her SUNY review, which will take place this year.
  5. The ACT conference is scheduled for 10/14-16, and will be held at Turning Stone Casino. Mr. Turner will be moderating a panel on Saturday.
  6. Mr. Turner said they are looking for nominations to fill the vacancies, and he asked Council members to forward names for submission to the Governor’s office.

II. College Council Resolution in Support of University Designation [Mr. Turner]

Mr. Turner discussed the Resolution in support of University Designation. He asked President Macpherson to provide the background. She said with the change, as approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, and with the support of the Council, the College would become State University of New York Brockport, as opposed to the current name of SUNY College at Brockport. College Senate will be submitting a resolution in support of this distinction, for which there was every expectation of approval. Mr. Wiest asked if anyone is not in support of the change, and President Macpherson said some institutions are concerned what changing our designation may mean for them, if they are not eligible, but she is confident that there are no downsides and only benefits to the change for SUNY Brockport. Mr. Wiest said it would look good for recruitment.

Mr. Turner read the resolution and moved that it be approved. Dr. Myers-Small seconded the motion. Mr. Turner asked for a vote. The resolution was approved unanimously.

III. President’s Report [President Macpherson]

  1. President Macpherson shared information on the opening of school, and she said that student life is thriving.
  2. President Macpherson provided an update on COVID and Monkeypox policies that are in place to keep people safe. She said Benedict Hall is being used for quarantine, and she shared how many students are currently tested as positive. Currently, there are no Monkeypox cases on campus, but said there are procedures in place based on NYS Department of Health and SUNY guidance. She said if students require a higher level of care than can be taken care of by the Health Center, then they will be asked to return home. Dr. Myers-Small asked about the number of religious exemptions, and asked if that number is smaller than in the past. President Macpherson confirmed that it is.
  3. President Macpherson provided a budget update. She said the 2022-23 budget target is lower than the budget the year before, and she identified the budget shortfall based on declining enrollment. She said there is a structural deficit, but Cabinet will be hosting a retreat in October to discuss how to address the deficit. She said the College will be looking at everything that we do, and see if we will do that going forward. She said Cabinet has approved a very aggressive marketing campaign, and a new commercial is in development. She shared the commercial with Council, and talked about the increase in available scholarships for new students. Dr. Wiefling said she loves the commercial and it speaks to the target audience very well. President Macpherson said the focus right now is on affordability, and Mr. Turner asked which market this will be run in, and President Macpherson said it will be from Buffalo to Long Island. Mr. Wiest said he has seen other billboards in the area, so there is no way we cannot invest.
  4. President Macpherson discussed enrollment, and said the incoming freshman numbers are good, but the decline is showing in the transfer numbers. She said the reason for this is the declining attendance rates at the local community colleges. President Macpherson said the graduate numbers are flat but with new graduate programs the numbers should be increasing. One of the biggest issues the College has is year-over-year retention rates, which have declined, and thus led to fewer continuing students.
  5. President Macpherson shared good news, and she shared current US New and World Report rankings, and she said we continue to score well in relation to many programs. In relation to other rankings, we have been recognized for one of the best colleges for student voting. The latest study shows that 80% of eligible students have registered to vote. The college will be considered as a polling site. In other good news, REOC has received ARPA funds for a Mobile Welding Lab, in the amount of $1.3 million. The REOC is bringing back the Community Leaders Breakfast on 10/27, at 7:30am, and all are invited. There is new legal counsel based in Buffalo to support the western campuses. There is a new Legal Studies Minor. On 10/6, the Liberal Arts Building will be renamed the Fannie Barrier Williams Building.

IV. Academic Affairs Report [Dr. Abraham]

Dr. Abraham provided an update on Academic Affairs, and shared the vision for the academic year. He discussed how the Strategic Plan developed last year can be broadened and expanded. He discussed how they are building on opportunities in enrollment, such as retention, graduate programs, and international programs. He said the degree completion programs are attractive to students who have college credit, but who have never finished their undergraduate degree. These programs are online, and there are good opportunities for students. He said they are evaluating Delta College, along with experiential education. There is new program development either up for approval or in discussion. Since his arrival in June, he has been visiting with academic departments, and he has engaged with the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee.

Mr. Wiest asked him what surprised him the most so far, and Dr. Abraham said it is the passion from the faculty for the things that they want to do if given the opportunity. He said they have a lot of great ideas, and we need to invest in this. Dr. Myers-Small said it was interesting that the University needs to shift to the new type of student post-COVID, and she asked what are the characteristics of the new scholar, and what is it we are adjusting to. He said it is the students who are being brought back into a classroom where they haven’t been in a few years, and they need more support services. He said it is not that faculty have to lessen the rigor, but to understand that the students are coming from a different place and they have challenges. Dr. Myers-Small said the definition of an incoming freshman has changed, and she appreciates that he identified the accommodations that can take place to support student success. Dr. Wiefling asked how he would prepare the faculty, and also get back to why students choose Brockport and this may change their expectations, and she would like to know how he would change that loop. Also, as he looks a few years out, how will the University look at educational disciplines to form new focuses? Dr. Abraham said those are great questions and challenges, and he is taking advantage of the way in which faculty development is accomplished through CELT. These programs can help the faculty become more aware, and he is also sharing at Departmental meetings ways in which the schools and departments can promote interdisciplinary learning.

V. Enrollment Management Initiatives [Dr. Kelly]

Dr. Kelly presented on enrollment management initiatives, and began by introducing two Fannie Barrier Williams Scholars as well as Jianna Howard, who is overseeing the program.

 

Dr. Kelly provided copies of the new viewbooks to Council, and she shared current enrollment trends. She discussed scholarships that have been developed to build the first year cohort. She talked about factors that impacting enrollment, and she shared how they are accelerating their enrollment growth through the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee. She said they have acknowledged that it is the priority of the entire campus to assist with enrollment. She shared the short- and long-term objectives, and said they are working on a strategic enrollment management plan that should be completed by May 2023.

Dr. Kelly shared information on the Amazon Career Choice Program, and said they are still working with Amazon to promote this option.

Dr. Kelly discussed the Fannie Barrier Williams Scholars program that was begun with a $1.1 million grant from ESL. Jianna said this year there are 29 students in the program, and she shared the requirements for admission into the program, and how the summer bridge program assisted students in becoming acclimated to and immersed in the college experience. Two of the scholars spoke to how the scholarship is helping them to be more successful. Dr. Myers-Small asked if they were on campus for the first time in August, and one said yes and the other said she had been on campus several times before arriving in August. Council were very appreciative of the opportunity to talk to our FBW Scholars and hear from them first hand.

VI. Next Meeting

The next College Council meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2022.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.