Time & Location: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., 220 Seymour
Attendees
Voting Members
- Sondra Aman
- Mike Andriatch
- Frances Dearing
- Daniel Goebel
- Scott Haines
- Sara Kelly
- Jose Maliekal
- Pat Maxwell
- Kathy Peterson
- Summer Reiner
- Craig Ross
- Ed Ryan
- Elliot Weininger
- Jim Zollweg
Non-Voting Members
- Crystal Hallenback
- Cathy Houston-Wilson
- Karen Riotto
- Jim Wall: Co-Chair
- Melissa Wight
Guests
- Lorraine Acker
- Steve Cook
- Mary Covell
- Bob Cushman
- Eileen Daniel
- Richard Dirmyer
- Danielle Drews
- Peter Dowe
- Johnna Frosini
- Kerry Gotham
- Michael Harrison
- Erick Hart
- Stephanie Learn
- Teresa Major
- Kevin Montano
- Kevin Rice
- Rongkun Shen
- Cheryl Van Lare
Regrets
Voting Members
- James Cordeiro
- Kandie Gay
- Tom Hernandez
- Katy Heyning
- Meaghan Irving
- Dave Mihalyov
- Katy Wilson
Non-Voting Members
- Denise Copelton: Co-Chair (on sabbatical)
- President Macpherson
The meeting was called to order at 8:35am
Announcements
None at this time.
College Technology Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Bob Cushman, Chief Information Officer
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following questions and answers occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised regarding what enrollment assumptions are used in order to maintain a flat technology fee year after year. Mr. Cushman stated that they reviewed the forecast enrollment. Right now the presentation states no increase for the next five years, but we will have to evaluate it every year. Right now we are better at projecting the cost than the revenue part of the equation.
- The question was raised regarding the growth of online enrollment with the approved programs beginning in fall and other programs in development, if that would have an impact on projections. Mr. Cushman stated that it may impact the revenue projections but not cost projections. We will have reserves left as well, so we may be able utilize that to off-set additional capacity or hardware replacements, but it would sustain us for the next few years to off-set reduced revenue.
- The question was raised regarding what the reserve balance is. Ms. Hallenbeck stated that at the time of the spreadsheet the 2019-2020 reserve balance was $1,768,000 but these reserves work a little different then others as they pay all of their direct charges out of it. Direct charges had not posted yet at the time of this capture. Mr. Cushman stated that the direct charges are from SUNY Albany, Sicas Center or I-Tech. We have had charges post from SUNY Albany and Sicas Center, but not from I-Tech yet. Ms. Hallenbeck added that the closing reserve balance for 2018-19 was $801,145.
Student Health Services Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Cheryl Van Lare, Director of Hazen Center for Integrated Care
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following questions and answers occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised regarding if there is a fee charged to students for crutches. Ms. Van Lare stated that students are only charged a fee of $25 if they do not return the crutches. Ms. Aman stated that during the dorm clean out, many sets of crutches are found and thrown away. She will alert staff to return them to Hazen instead.
- The question was raised as to what percentage of the visits are graduate students. Ms. Van Lare stated she did not know the percentage.
- The question was raised if the center was considering weekend or evening hours. Ms. Van Lare stated they have in the past and they were not utilized well. It has been a few years, so this is an item that could be reviewed to see if services are needed at night and/or weekends.
Intercollegiate Athletics Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Erick Hart, Director of Athletics and Danielle Drews, Assistant Athletic Director
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised regarding who determines the overhead percentage and why our
percentage so much higher than other SUNY schools is. Ms. Riotto stated the overhead
percentage is set by the campus and it would be a campus decision on whether or not to change it. - The question was raised as to which individual or group would initiate a recommendation to amend the overhead percentage. Mr. Wall stated he would be the one to initiate an inquiry and it would be a request to Cabinet.
- The question was raised as to the impact changing the overhead percentage would have on the campus. Ms. Hallenbeck stated that the impact would be on campus reserves as the funds received from Athletics’ overhead percentage goes towards campus reserves.
- The comment was made that Athletics should not be the one responsible for funding the reserves when the department is struggling and is in need of more Women’s sports teams due to the inequity.
- The request for clarification that Athletics recruited 25% of the fall 2019 first year class and does that mean that 25% of those freshman are on a varsity team. Mr. Hart stated that 25% of the freshman in fall 2019 were playing on a varsity sport. When Athletic recruiters start a conversation with a potential student, they get flagged in the system and the percentage has consistently been in that range. Mr. Ross stated that they did not look at the percentage of students that initially came here for Athletics and no longer play a sport but stayed at the college. That is a source of revenue as well. Mr. Haines stated that they have run the numbers in club sports and it is a high percentage. Students may come here initially for Athletics and decide to do a club sport instead. It is less time-consuming, they still get to compete at a high level and they want to stay at our campus.
- The question was raised regarding where the funding for the on-campus housing for graduate students that are coaches comes from. Mr. Hart stated that as part of their payment, the department partners with Residential Life to provide on-campus housing. It does not come out of Athletics budget. Dr. Kelly stated when there was vacant space in the residential halls a few years ago, we looked at supporting divisional graduate assistants that were not making a lot of money and are around nights and weekends. We are going to be evaluating this program as there are some concerns that have come up and we are not able to expand the program at this time. Mr. Hart added that as part of the program there are responsibilities that the graduate students complete for Residential Life like fulfilling building management.
Campus Recreation Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Scott Haines, Director of Campus Recreation
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised if the department has looked into leasing a Zamboni instead of buying one. Mr. Haines stated that they have not and that is definitely an option to look into.
- The question was raised if the equipment repairs are sufficient enough to keep the fitness
equipment functioning for five or ten years. Mr. Haines said the cardio equipment would last maybe three to four years. Ms. Dearing expressed her concern over the reserves and the planned purchase for the Zamboni in two years and potential equipment replacement. Mr. Haines stated he believes that the reserves are sustainable for three to four years with adjusting expenses and pending no unexpected big purchases. They do complete preventative maintenance on the machines two to three times a year. - The question was raised regarding what the current rate is for minimum wage. Mr. Haines stated it is $11.80. Ms. Riotto stated that when financial plans were made 10 years ago, minimum wage was $7.50 so that has been a big change.
- The suggestion was made that the committee should take on the task of developing a plan for an equipment replacement fund so that many of these areas that have construction funds originally pay for the equipment and furniture will have the ability to replace items when needed. Mr. Wall stated that an equipment replacement plan has not existed before and has been an issue campus wide. There is an effort to put an equipment and furniture replacement plan in place as the zero based budgets are being developed. One of the areas that we are looking into is leasing items as that would smooth out the cash flow. Mr. Haines added that Mr. Wall had asked him if leasing fitness equipment was a feasible idea. He stated at this point in time it is not as it would cost more to pull the new equipment out and lease, but in time leasing would be an option.
- The question was raised now that FAST is located in the SERC, how is the weight room being utilized. Dr. Houston-Wilson stated that KSSPE utilizes the room for classes. Monday, Wednesday and Friday it is utilized until Athletics needs it. Tuesday and Thursday it is utilized for Strength and Conditioning classes.
- The question was raised regarding the number of visitors that walk into the SERC in a year. Mr. Haines stated that they do have people counting software that will track people entering the front door. We have shared this information in the past. We just started using this software in March 2019. We also can track the swipes to know the number of people entering to use the fitness center or field house. Even though we have had a decrease in enrollment, last semester we had the same number of students swiping in as we have had in the past.
Alumni Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Kerry Gotham, Director of Alumni Engagement
Note: Presentation us available on Blackboard
The following questions and answers occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised regarding what the history was of opting an individual out of the Alumni Fee permanently. Mr. Andriatch stated that this process has been around for at least a dozen years. Ms. Maxwell stated that it may be worth looking into going back to requesting they opt out once a year because as they progress through school, they may be more willing to pay the fee. Mr. Andriatch stated that the process has been this way for a while as there have been concerns in the past over the fee. Students receive other communications once they graduate. Ms. Major stated many students and families feel that it is a hidden fee even though it does say optional on the bill. If they do not realize that they can opt out of it, then they voice their complaints that they have been paying it for three years and no one told them they could opt out. It is listed on the fee page that it is an optional fee and there are instructions on how that waive out. In terms of other fees that we have had in the recent past that individuals had to opt out of yearly, there were several complaints as they thought they only had to opt out once. I think changing the opt out process would cause backlash. They do have the ability to opt back in and they are notified of this option when they opt out. Mr. Gotham stated that they receive complaints as well. We are still maintaining consistent numbers even with reduced enrollment and last year’s fee increase from $25 to $30 a semester.
- The question was raised what the opt out rate is. Mr. Gotham stated that number would have to be calculated.
Career Services Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Stephanie Learn, Associate Director of Career Services
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised what programming or initiatives can be done to promote students to access Career Services prior to the spring semester of their senior year. Dr. Kelly stated that Career Services has been going through a lot of changes lately with staffing and location and we are taking it as an opportunity to look at how we can increase programs and initiatives to help our students be prepared earlier. This includes supporting internship programs and expanding peer education within Career Services, as most departments in our division have peer educators going out to student events and speaking to students and this department has not done that yet. We are trying to expand our offerings to support students in that area. Ms. Learn stated that she has found having an RA on staff is extremely effective with getting the word out to students because they have immediate access to the residential halls and it has been extremely helpful with any tabling that the department has been doing.
- The question was raised if there is data on student usage of Career Services. Ms. Learn stated that they do track using their Handshake system. That is how we encourage students to set up an appointment with us or for drop-ins. We can pull data from that. What we recently used the data for was when we moved we looked at when drop in hours were most utilized over the last year and have adjusted staffing and when we are having the drop in hours based on that data. We also try to track when we have an event. For example, next week we have a career fair where students will swipe in. This way we can compare attendance with past years.
- A suggestion was made to do a more global analysis of the data and tracking students over the course of their Brockport careers to see when they start using Career Services and how
frequently the use Career Services. Thinking about how to funnel them earlier in their Brockport career might be a good long term plan for the unit. Ms. Learn stated that is a great idea. They do start working with students at orientation, but then they often times forget about Career Services until their final semester. Dr. Kelly stated that one of the major future areas that they are focusing on is supporting the internship infrastructure so faculty can help identify placements and the department can help alleviate some of the administrative burden of that. We want to partner across divisions so we can be helpful in that way and alleviate the administrative burden that faculty face. - The question was raised if there are plans to replace the director in Career Services. Dr. Kelly stated that we will be looking at that later in the spring and looking at a summer plan.
- The statement was made that when it comes to internships one of the critical items is building and maintaining relationships with employers and agencies. We have a great deal of ground to cover in that regard. The sooner we can set the process in motion, the better off we will be with the initiatives. Ms. Learn stated that on March 19, the new Employer Relations Coordinator will start on campus. He is very well versed in partnerships and has a lot of connections. He worked in Monroe County and surrounding areas for many years. I believe having that position filled again will help with building those partnerships.
- The question was raised regarding who is sponsoring the etiquette dinner this year. Ms. Learn stated that Sherwin-Williams is the sponsor this year.
Parking & Transportation Services Fee Budget Presentation
Presented by Johnna Frosini, Director of Parking & Transportation Services
Note: Presentation is available on Blackboard
The following question and answer occurred during the presentation:
- The question was raised regarding the comparison of transportation fees across our sister schools and if it those schools are providing the same services as some of their fees are much higher than ours. Ms. Frosini stated that those schools do provide the same services.
Other Items from the Committee
None at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
Next Meeting: March 12, 2020; 8:30-10:30 a.m.
JW/mw