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College Council Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2024

Present

  • Martin Abraham, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs
  • Lorraine Acker, VP for Student Affairs
  • Mike Andriatch, VP for Advancement and Communications
  • Andrea Guzzetta, College Council
  • Cathy Houston-Wilson, Brockport University Senate President
  • Lauren Kelly, College Council
  • Sara Kelly, VP for Enrollment Management
  • Heidi Macpherson, President
  • Roosevelt Mareus, Dean and Executive Director, REOC
  • Lesli Myers-Small, College Council
  • Ken Pink, College Council
  • Carla Sansalone, Alumni Association President
  • Scott Turner, College Council Chair
  • Lily Wegerski, BSG President and College Council member

Excused

  • Damita Davis, Chief Diversity Officer
  • Chris Wiest, College Council
  • Jim Wall, Interim VP for Administration and Finance

I. Chair’s Report [Mr. Turner]

  1. The meeting convened at 4:35pm.
  2. College Council approved the minutes from the 12/12/2023 meeting.
  3. Mr. Turner asked Mr. Andriatch to provide updates on new and renewed Council members. Mr. Andriatch said there has been no information from the Governor’s Office, but he will stay in touch. Lauren Kelly said she will talk with Vinnie Esposito tomorrow about the vacant spots.

II. President’s Report [President Macpherson]

  1. President Macpherson said that Jackie Clark has resigned her position with the University, and she wishes her well in her new endeavors. Jim Wall has returned to fill in as interim, and a search committee has been selected. They will be charged next week, and Storbeck Search will serve as the search firm. President Macpherson asked Council to encourage qualified applicants to apply if they know of any.
  2. President Macpherson said there is a Presidents’ meeting next month in Albany. She and Mr. Andriatch have been meeting with legislators, and she shared information on on the advocacy agenda. President Macpherson shared information from the SUNY Comprehensive Presidents’ meetings, as well as the Zoom meetings held for Presidents with the Chancellor. She discussed Title VI training which occurred at the Campus Leadership Summit in January, and she said the focus has been on how best ways to support the students while protecting their free speech. President Macpherson shared information from her recent travels and meetings with donors over the past month.
  3. President Macpherson provided enrollment updates, and she said the numbers are impressive given the federal financial aid issues. The Enrollment Management team is working very proactively on getting the students financial aid packaged, and EOP is working very hard on their recruitment efforts. She said the University is working hard to close equity gaps and they are working on a project with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to do so.
  4. President Macpherson said Kimberley Willis was named MVP for the year for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Other program information included the University Police and the Masters of Social Work reaccreditations, and President Macpherson said the Nursing program reaccreditation will begin tomorrow and they expect it to go well.
  5. Mr. Turner asked how the peer schools are doing regarding admissions, and Dr. Kelly said Brockport has the highest growth and they are ahead of last year. She said the University is in a very good position and the numbers for fall track for growth, and they are emerging at a higher rate. Mr. Turner asked to where they can attribute growth, and Dr. Kelly said the scholarship program is a big draw. Mr. Turner asked if the peer schools have been following this lead, and Dr. Kelly said due to our careful fiscal management, the University had the luxury to put money into scholarships, and she said other schools may follow suit if they are able to. In addition, transfer students continue to choose SUNY Brockport, and Dr. Kelly said from a market share standpoint the University is getting 40% of these transfer students from the local institutions.

III. Brockport University Senate Update [Dr. Cathy Houston-Wilson]

  1. Dr. Houston-Wilson shared information on the numerous Senate proposals that have been submitted, and she said that there have been some new program proposals. She said Senate has been very busy, but they have been going through the proposals and getting them to the Senate floor. 

IV. Student Affairs Update [Dr. Lorraine Acker]

  1. Dr. Acker provided a presentation on the Division of Student Affairs and she provided their vision, which is to be a vibrant campus for the students. She said they have five strategic goals (Wellbeing, Engagement, Inclusive Excellence, Leadership, and Organizational Sustainability/Infrastructure). There is a central focus on student wellbeing which is centered around the eight dimensions of wellness. By casting a broader net, they are encouraging students to think about all aspects of their comprehensive wellness. She shared examples of how they are reaching their students through other avenues as opposed to just counseling center visits. She shared that the food pantry has been very successful, and they have hired some students to assist. She discussed their education and outreach, and she shared information on student engagement. She discussed the Engaged Eagle Program (Explore, Awareness, Growth, Leadership, and Excellence) which is new this year, with the goal of introducing students to a variety of co-curricular activities aimed to support student growth and preparation for employment. Ms. Wegerski thanked Dr. Acker for her presentation, and she said she is excited and curious about the Engaged Eagle program. She asked about the implementation plan and advertising for this. Dr. Acker said they are working on marketing materials for the program, and the committee will put out another call for committee members. This will be a university-wide committee going forward, so that people can provide good input. Right now, they are focusing on educating students and letting them know this program is coming. Mr. Turner thanked Dr. Acker for a great presentation.

V. Advancement/Campaign Update [Mr. Mike Andriatch]

  1. Mr. Andriatch talked about the evolution of the Division of Advancement and Communications, and he shared the primary focus of each section within the Division. Mr. Andriatch discussed the Comprehensive Campaign, which started again this past fall, and he identified the conversations taking place through a feasibility study. He identified the Foundation Board involvement, and he shared information on these conversations, but also discussed gifts, pledges, commitments, and visits with donors. He shared examples of some current gifts. President Macpherson said that once a month she makes calls to donors, and this month she will be making calls to the donors of very significant gifts. Mr. Andriatch said they have some very good engagement officers right now. Mr. Turner asked about the replacement for Brad Schreiber and how he will be replaced, and Mr. Andriatch said they are still assessing this. 

VI. Solar Eclipse Update [Mr. Mike Andriatch]

  1. Mr. Andriatch provided an updated on the University’s planning for the April 8 total solar eclipse. He said the biggest issue they are dealing with now is staffing for the event, and they hope to get at least 100 volunteers to manage all the aspects of this. Ms. Guzzetta asked if classes will be in session, and Mr. Andriatch said morning classes will be remote until 1:10pm, and then they will resume at 5pm. Ms. Guzzetta asked if people are expected to report to work, and Mr. Andriatch said it depends on the area where they work. For Facilities they will be expected to perform their regular jobs, and they are trying to get professional staff to support the event. The Unions are willing to encourage people to volunteer. Ms. Guzzetta asked about people who will be working remote, and it was noted that many offices are encouraged to work remotely that day. Ms. Wegerski thanked Mr. Andriatch for the presentation, and she said it is nice to see everything to come together. She said regarding classes, many peers are seeing this day as a day off.. She wonders if there should be more collaboration so that students are excited about this and willing to participate. Dr. Abraham said classes are still scheduled for Monday, and it is only the three-hour block when the eclipse occurs that they have chosen to cancel classes. He agrees with Ms. Wegerski and he would like to see the students engaged, and he hopes that they can be encouraged to participate. Classes will resume at 5pm for evening classes. He said Scholars Day is the following week, so the schedule will be switched, with classes in the afternoon. There has been no time taken away from students and the classes, it is just that the two days have been restructured. Dr. Kelly asked if the concern is to get the students more involved in the events being planned. Mr. Andriatch said as we get closer to the day attitudes may change a bit and there may be more excitement about the eclipse. He said students don’t have to be at the stadium, and it is the experience in the sky and not at the stadium. He thanked Ms. Wegerski for her message. She said she is trying to encourage students to go to classes, and she is working with student organizations to garner excitement for the event. She just wants to make sure the University is prepared so that they don’t run into concerns later on. Dr. Houston-Wilson said there should be a clear message to the faculty that they are expected to hold classes that day, and she would encourage this be sent to all faculty. Dr. Acker said one of the areas she would like to see students helping with is volunteering, as they can be engaged through these activities. Dr. Abraham will send messaging to faculty about the expectation that they hold classes. Dr. Kelly thanked Mr. Andriatch for leading the planning in this effort. 

VII. Next Meeting

The next College Council meeting will be on April 30, 2024.

VII. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:04 pm.