Interim Vice President News from Jim Wall
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ian Harper to SUNY Brockport as the new Vice President for Administration and Finance. There will be a Campus Welcome Reception for Ian on June 20 (2-3pm) in the Ballroom, which we hope many can attend. I know all of you will support Ian during the learning curve over the next few months. Ian will be leading a great team in Administration and Finance. Key areas of focus over the next few months will be the completion of the 2024-2025 budgets, summer facilities projects, beginning of the electrical upgrade on campus, Employee Success Center investment, annual report, and completion of performance programs and evaluations. Many thanks to all of you for your support during my interim assignment.
And congratulations to Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall on her new position as Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Finance and Management!
Departmental News
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS)
Two of our team members were recognized at the 2024 Recognition Dinner, held on May 23rd: Tammy Robertson received the Adele Catlin Memorial Award and Frank Mancini received the Outstanding Service to the University Award.
This Summer BITS will be continuing with the wireless upgrade across campus as well as starting to engage early adopters for Teams Calling. If you / your department are interested in being an early adopter, please reach out to the BITS Service Desk. In addition, we have a working group looking at the use of AI with Microsoft CoPilot, in order to understand the impacts on the business of Higher Education.
Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO)
A SILVER STAR IN SUSTAINABILITY – The University has earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in recognition of our sustainability achievements. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) measures sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Participants report achievements in five overall areas:
- academics,
- engagement,
- operations,
- planning and administration, and
- innovation and leadership.
Our Division made a number of sustainability–related contributions that were reported to AASHE. Some highlights include:
- meadow restoration project (across from X-Lot)
- providing operational support and participation in several Earth Week events, including Arbor Day with the Village of Brockport
- supported Student Orientation tabling sessions
- BASC sustainable food service initiatives
- sustainable purchasing initiatives
- electric vehicle charging station program
- assisting with the coordination of the Residential Life Campus Race to Zero Waste recycling competition
- and so much more!
A BIG THANKS to everyone in the Division who assisted the Sustainability Committee (co-chaired by Larry Brien and supported by Tammy Jo Manz in Facilities) with compiling and providing data.
2024 Temporary Summer Facilities Employment – FMO is proactively recruiting past, present, and future students for this opportunity, with great turnout and response from the campus community, especially from our international students on campus. Thank you, in advance, for everyone’s participation and support with Grounds, Painting, and Custodial needs across campus!
Finance & Management / Student Accounts and Accounting (F&M/SAA)
SAA held their annual spring retreat on Friday, 05/31/24. The day’s theme was “Celebration!,” with the goal to formally recognize staff for their efforts throughout the year, celebrate some of the large projects completed, and brainstorm accomplishments they hope to achieve in the coming year. Individual awards were presented to each staff – some with a touch of humor (e.g., Silent Strength Star Award; Desk Jockey Dynamo Award, etc.), and all were recognized for their efforts toward making the department a benchmark campus customer-service provider. Team-building activities included a competition designed to build non-verbal communication with your partner for a stronger, more effective team, as well as a Vegas-themed casino event that rewarded participants for the team-oriented behavior they displayed (e.g., explaining game rules to others, sharing their chips, etc.).
SUNY fiscal year-end (06/30/24) preparation is in full swing in SAA, as they are responsible for the compilation and analysis of a multitude of accounts receivable data representing the 2023-24 fiscal year; it is an extremely cumbersome and complex process. A huge “thank you” to Associate Director Colleen Crouse for leading SAA through it!
Upcoming Events
- June 20 (2-3pm) – Campus Welcome Reception for Ian Harper in the Seymour Union Ballroom East
- July 24 (1-4pm) – CSEA Summer Membership Meeting & Picnic at The Lodge in Sweden Town Park – RSVP by July 10
If you have an item you’d like included in a future issue, please send to Laurie Smith (lausmith@brockport.edu).
SUNY Brockport Leadership Newsletters can be found on the Information page for Faculty & Staff (5th topic down).