8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Virtual Meeting via Teams
Attendees
Voting Members
- Martin Abraham
- Sondra Aman
- Mike Andriatch
- Austin Busch
- Frances Dearing
- Michael Doyle
- Kristin Hartway
- Tom Hernandez
- Meghan Irving
- Yin Liu
- Jose Maliekal
- Jason Morris
- Carl O’Connor
- Kathy Peterson
- Heather Raczkowski
- Janet Roy
- Mark Stacy
- Elliot Weininger
- Katy Wilson
Non-Voting Members
- Julie Caswell
- Bob Cushman
- Eileen Daniel
- Damita Davis
- Crystal Hallenbeck
- Cathy Houston-Wilson
- Sara Kelly
- Rachael Killion
- President Macpherson
- Darson Rhodes: Co-Chair
- Jim Wall: Co-Chair
- Melissa Wight
Guests
- Jennifer Blood
- Monica Brasted
- Sophia Buenviaje
- Nathan Bull
- Thomas Chew
- Laura Coriddi
- Marsha Ducey
- Scott Haines
- Debbie Jacob
- Seth Johnston
- Dana Laird
- Theresa Martinez
- Tyler Moesle
- Brandon Nunnery
- Pamela O’Keefe
- Ashleigh Petrucci
- Priyamvadha Rangan
- William Ruiz
- Megan Sarkis
- Rey Sia
- Jessica Smith
- Bonnie Swoger
- Sarah Unger
- Aaron Wilkinson
- Robert Wyant
- Kathy Zunner
Regrets
Voting Members
- Thomas Hager
- Teagan Hughston
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 January 26, 2023, meeting. Dr. Peterson motioned to approve the minutes; Ms. Roy seconded the motion. 16 members voted to approve the minutes. Therefore, the minutes were approved.
Announcements
Dr. Rhodes made the following announcements:
- Our next meeting will have the broad-based fee presentations and will begin at 8:00am.
- Members were asked to remind individuals that the Investment Fund proposals are due March 17, 2023.
Summer Course Fee Update
Dr. Hallenbeck provided an update on summer course fee requests. There was only one request, but it was a request that was submitted and approved by the Campus Based Fee Review Committee and JPBC last year. When Cabinet reviewed the request, they had some feedback and concerns that needed to be addressed with SUNY prior to submitting the request to SUNY for approval. All issues were resolved, so the fee has been submitted to SUNY for approval. This fee is the fee for the Storm Chasing course, and it is for $2,200. We are waiting on a response from SUNY.
Strategic Plan Assessment Update
Provost Abraham provided an update on the Strategic Plan Assessment. The committee has defined all of the metrics and they are working through reviewing the assessment tools. The goal is to be finished by the end of the semester so that it can be shared with the campus community to start reflecting and begin utilizing the metrics. The following discussion points occurred:
- The suggestion was made to utilize the SUNY website where they publish employment outcomes for all the campuses by cohort. This information is population based and can be used for the metric for career outcome data.
- The suggestion was made to obtain information from alumni on their thoughts regarding their experiences here. This could be asked in addition to the employment information. It was stated that if an alumni survey was developed it would be used to get specific answers to a number of areas in addition to employment.
Undergraduate Admissions Update
(Presentation is available on Teams)
Mr. Wyant provided an update on Undergraduate Admissions. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The question was raised regarding what will be done with the data collected concerning our competitors and the information regarding why students are not choosing Brockport so that we can start beating our competition and getting students to choose Brockport. It was stated that in terms of students using location for a reason for not coming to Brockport, it is typically the downstate student saying this. Therefore, we are crafting a targeted message to that population to communicate the benefits of Brockport and Rochester. When it comes to the reason of cost and affordability, we are trying to be proactive by making our messaging clear and ensuring parents understand what a scholarship is, what the actual bill will be and what the payment plan options are. It was added that knowing UB is a competitor, we are working on a mailing specifically to the Buffalo area that outlines why Brockport is a better choice with smaller class sizes and intimate community. In addition, we are working with Financial Aid on a supplemental communication that simplifies some of the cost questions to help families understand the costs and how it can be affordable for them, even if they are not a scholarship student. This message is an individualized and personalized message, so there is programming and a lot of people involved to make sure it happens. Also, we are working with our partners in the Academic Success Center and Advisement to register first year students earlier. Previously, they had received their schedules at orientation, but now they are going to get them after our current student registration closes typically in May. We are hoping this will help them feel more settled and that everything is taken care of. Lastly, we have been working with our partners on how we can tell students the cost sooner and how we can adjust timelines for billing cycles because cost and price sensitivity are a big concern for them right now.
- The question was raised regarding the scholarships and if the $1.4 million was based on the almost 300 students that have deposited to date. It was stated that it was based on that.
- The question was raised regarding if we are at risk of overextending our scholarship budget. If the goal is to have a freshman class of 1200, then the $1.4 million could become $5.6 million. Residential Life only budgeted around $3 million, and the tuition side was only budgeted for $1.6 million. It was stated that there is a chance of overextending if we have high take rates and high yield on that. There is a report that can be run daily, and others can have access to it. If we need to start monitoring in closely, we can do that. Also, if a student doesn’t deposit by May 1, we don’t have to honor the scholarship.
- The comment was made that the problem with us losing transfer admits because they are not getting into classes is solvable, but it is not something that just a random faculty member is going to be able to handle. It isn’t about more work; it is about taking a different approach. It was stated that the Undergraduate Admissions office is trying to find a better way to communicate information to students and faculty and how we can use our technology to make lives easier for faculty and students.
- The concern was stated that giving the student their schedule earlier may cause students not want to come here because there isn’t an opportunity to discuss prerequisites or why certain courses are required. It was stated that we are still planning out how we can make sure the students have that conversation opportunity. The reality is when students receive the schedule at orientation, the panic is potentially setting in later leading to the student becoming a late melt and we don’t have the opportunity to have that discussion with them. We are trying to find ways to balance it. It was added that during a tour or accepted student day, we try to let the students visualize themselves here and getting them tied to the institution.
- The suggestion was made to create a marketing campaign to highlight how Brockport is accessible no matter where the student is in the state. We should utilize the students from Long Island and downstate as examples. This could help ease concerns about what is perceived as difficulty to get to Brockport.
- The suggestion was made to do a marketing campaign to highlight how many programs we have, how many programs we are developing and what the students in these programs are doing. We were the launch institution for the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference. We started the initiative to engage undergraduate students in research and we have been sending a sizable number of students to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. This is a quality indicator of academic programs. It was stated that we have been working on getting more of those highlights for each academic department and the websites are reflecting that this year. Any highlights that individuals feel hit home can be emailed to Dr. Kelly so that as they continue to update communications to students and try to highlight even more of these opportunities. It was added that Undergraduate Admissions uses the key highlights that the divisions or schools send out monthly or semesterly.
- It was suggested to make videos using current events to show how our programs link to it and how staff and faculty are affected by it. This could humanize who we are. It was stated that there have been some videos that were done recently. There was one about inflation and another one about Damar Hamlin and athletic training. The Damar Hamlin one was sent to KSSPE students. The videos do well because we have good open and view rates in our emails. It was added that there is currently one being made about artificial intelligence.
- The question was raised regarding the alumni outreach and when it will begin. It was stated that it has already started. An email was sent out about two weeks ago reflecting the three schools from three alumni. If faculty and staff are aware of a prominent alumnus that is successful, let Undergraduate Admissions know so they can reach out to see if they would be willing to do a letter for Brockport.
- The explanation was provided about the dashboard that showed students that did not go to Brockport but went to Brockport. These were students that initially declined admission, but then made their way back to Brockport. In addition, there is information where we can breakdown by competitors and then academic program. In anyone would like more information on this, reach out to Tyler Moesle.
Graduate Admissions Update
(Presentation is available on Teams)
Mr. Ruiz and Dr. Daniel provided an update on Graduate Admissions. The discussion points occurred:
- It was stated that it is believed that in the next five years all advanced nursing programs will need to be at the DNP level. When this happens, we will phase out our master’s program and the students will be a post bacc DNP.
- It was stated that regarding that PA program, we need to investigate clinical placements. We have had a hard time getting the NP students placed due to competing with schools like RIT that have relationships with the hospitals.
- It was stated that it should be acknowledged the rapid rate of growth in enrollments and how impressive it is. Given the situation with undergraduates, everyone is grateful that graduate numbers have turned around so sharply.
Structural Deficit Update
(Presentation is available on Teams)
Mr. Wall presented an update on the structural deficit. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- Clarification was requested regarding the number of positions that were determined to be backfilled with the concern of the declining enrollment. It was stated that the review was done position by position and we are going to continue to review these positions to see if there are any others that can be captured for more savings. In terms of the positions being replaced, the position would be replaced at the starting rate versus the rate of the employee leaving. On the CSEA side, this typically works out to be $7,000-$8,000 per employee. It was added that the review was the initial review done at Cabinet’s budget retreat. We wanted to be very thoughtful about the decision of replacing positions and the possible consequences. This is why Cabinet will be reviewing these positions again at their budget meeting on Monday.
- The question was raised regarding the assumption of undergraduate and graduate enrollment and retention numbers over the next four years and if it is feasible. It was stated that the graduate increase of 12% is for the next four to five years and then it tops out. As far as the undergraduate numbers, they are very modest the first few years, so if we can beat that by 100 students then that’s $1 million that goes to the bottom line. It was added that a vast majority of our graduate programs are fully online, so we are not geographically limited. The number of students who are in these programs and who are beyond commuting distance continues to grow. In terms of undergraduate students, it is believed that we will see growth in adult students returning to get a degree. We will have seven completion programs. Some of the programs had a slow start, but it is believed they will gain momentum. There are several million New York residents who have some college, and we are an ideal place for many of them to complete their degree.
Additional Items from the Committee
The following items were discussed:
- Members were reminded that there will be a Budget Townhall on March 1st from 12:10-1:10pm in the McCue Auditorium and were asked to encourage their colleagues to attend.
- Members were thanked for their participation in the interview process for the Vice President of Administration and Finance. In addition, members were asked to complete the feedback form or speak to Dr. Rhodes or President Macpherson regarding their thoughts on the candidates.
- Members were encouraged to wear their Brockport apparel tomorrow for Green and Gold Friday.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
DR/JW/mw