Present
- Martin Abraham, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs
- Lorraine Acker, VP for Student Affairs
- Mike Andriatch, VP for Advancement and Communications
- Damita Davis, Chief Diversity Officer
- Andrea Guzzetta, College Council
- Cathy Houston-Wilson, Brockport University Senate President
- Tiana Jackson, BSG Vice President
- Lauren Kelly, College Council
- Sara Kelly, VP for Enrollment Management
- Heidi Macpherson, President
- Lesli Myers-Small, College Council
- Skye Paine, Brockport University Senate President-Elect
- Ken Pink, College Council
- Scott Turner, College Council Chair
- Chris Wiest, College Council
Excused
- Roosevelt Mareus, Dean and Executive Director, REOC
- Jamie Romeo, College Council
- Carla Sansalone, Alumni Association President
- Jim Wall, Interim VP for Administration and Finance
I. Chair’s Report [Mr. Turner]
- The meeting convened at 4:35pm.
- Mr. Turner welcomed new Councilmember, Ms. Jamie Romeo.
- Mr. Turner asked for approval of the minutes from the February 27, 2024 meeting. Ken Pink moved, Lauren Kelly seconded; Council approved.
- Mr. Turner asked Mr. Andriatch to provide updates on new and renewed Council members. Mr. Andriatch said it great to get Ms. Romeo approved as a new Council member. The other nominations are still waiting for approval.
- Mr. Turner thanked Dr. Cathy Houston-Wilson for her service as University Senate President. He thanked Ms. Wegerski and Ms. Sansalone in absentia for their service on College Council.
II. President’s Report [President Macpherson]
- President Macpherson attended a SUNY Presidents’ meeting today, and she provided updates. The meeting focused on campus climate, and she said Title VI training will be compulsory for all faculty and staff next year. She said SUNY is mandating a tabletop exercise for all campuses, and Cabinet is conducting theirs next week. She shared updates on Title IX changes, and she provided an update on the NYS budget for SUNY. She said SUNY has produced a document summarizing the changes to the budget, and she shared highlights from this. She said some good news for employees is that NYS will be decreasing the lag time in paychecks for new employees beginning in 2025. She also talked about shared services and how SUNY would like campuses to have more collaboration.
- President Macpherson provided an update on the VP Administration and Finance search, and she said she is hopeful that a new VP will be in place this summer.
- President Macpherson discussed Commencement, and she said the first DNP graduates will be walking this stage on May 17.
- President Macpherson said the Summer BBQ will take place on July 27.
- President Macpherson said EuroSim returned to Brockport for the first time since 2017, and two Brockport students won awards. The REOC Mobile Welding ribbon cutting is June 20. She said the Brockport Foundation assets continue to grow. Last week the University assisted the Village of Brockport with planting trees on Arbor Day. She highlighted the Garth Fagan celebration in March. President Macpherson shared information on her Senate review, and lastly, President Macpherson talked about Ellsworth winning this year’s SUNY mascot madness competition.
- Dr. Houston-Wilson asked about safety and swipe access in buildings. President Macpherson said this has been discussed and it is on a long list of projects to be accomplished. It would have to be completed building-by-building, and how to program access and be a welcoming campus is part of the discussion. Dr. Houston-Wilson said she thinks that it is an overreach for people to be mandated to fill out a FAFSA, so she asked about the motivation for completing this. President Macpherson said in states that require the FAFSA they have seen double-digit increases in applications from a wider socioeconomic group. This helps students attend college who might have believed they could not afford it. Dr. Houston-Wilson asked about speakers at Commencement, and President Macpherson said the University has moved away from external speakers and focused on the student voice. Mr. Pink asked about the sustainability of our budget, and President Macpherson reassured him that the state’s investments are expected to continue. Mr. Turner asked about any campus activities regarding world events, and President Macpherson shared information on a recent protest and other activities where administrators will be meeting with students. Dr. Houston-Wilson asked if the students received permission to protest, and President Macpherson said they did receive permission. She shared information on the planned protest and said the event last week focused on events taking place across the world. Dr. Davis said the University’s students are willing to engage in conversation and to lean into speaking with administrators, which makes it very helpful. Mr. Wiest asked about a forum that she will hold this week, and President Macpherson said they are working with an organization who will help facilitate the conversation with students, and it will provide an opportunity for everyone to come in and sit down and be heard. Mr. Wiest said putting structures in place has been helpful, and he thinks this is good. Mr. Turner asked about the elevators being inoperable for so long, and President Macpherson provided information about the difficulties in supply chain issues.
III. Brockport University Senate Update [Dr. Cathy Houston-Wilson]
- Dr. Houston-Wilson shared an end of year report on University Senate activities. Highlights of the year were a record 113 proposals submitted, the voting on May 6 to recognize Indigenous People’s Day in October, and some new and revised policies. She shared proposal highlights from the General Education Committee, and graduate and undergraduate proposals. She said these proposals will be voted on in May, and she is hopeful that they will pass and provide additional opportunities for students to be successful and complete their degrees at SUNY Brockport.
- Mr. Wiest asked about micro credentials, and Dr. Houston-Wilson provided information on the program and how it works and benefits the students. Mr. Pink asked if SUNY drives the proposals, and President Macpherson said the faculty drives the curriculum, and explained the process.
IV. Enrollment Update [Dr. Sara Kelly]
- Dr. Kelly provided an enrollment update, and she said this spring the University is ahead of last year’s numbers by almost 10%. She shared information on the university’s strategies and tactics to attract and retain students. She discussed student recruitment and outlined the recruitment process for both graduate and undergraduate students. She also shared how they are engaging more with parents. Mr. Wiest asked about the application fee being a barrier, and Dr. Kelly said free applications have been a big draw, and she provided information on how Admissions is helping students make a choice and offering them some assistance. Mr. Wiest asked if she is comfortable that this is not a barrier, and Dr. Kelly said they work with families all the time, and if a student wants to come to Brockport Admissions staff will help facilitate the process.
- Dr. Houston-Wilson said she loves that they have engaged more with parents, and she thinks this is a smart strategy. Mr. Wiest asked if they can directly connect our increased numbers to marketing campaigns. Mr. Andriatch said there is no specific data to measure this, but since the numbers have been written, it is a reasonable assumption to make that our marketing efforts have assisted with this increase.
V. Eclipse Debrief [Mr. Mike Andriatch]
- Mr. Andriatch provided a debrief on the total solar eclipse. Mr. Pink inquired about the excess cost over revenues. Mr. Andriatch replied that the University is covering the cost due to the brand benefits from local, regional, state, and national news coverage from which the University benefits.
VI. Award
- Mr. Turner was honored by College Council for his 20 years of service as Council Chair.
VII. Next Meeting
The next College Council meeting will be on September 24, 2024.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.