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JPBC Minutes: November 21, 2024

8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Virtual Meeting via Teams

Attendees

Voting Members

Martin Abraham
Lorraine Acker
Mike Andriatch
Qudus Bawa-allah
Jennifer Blood
Monica Brasted
Frances Dearing
Michael Doyle
Tom Hernandez
Sara Kelly
Stephanie Learn
Theresa Martinez
Skye Paine
Kathy Peterson
Heather Raczkowski
Jamie Spiller
Elizabeth Thorpe

Non-Voting Members

Julie Caswell
Steve Cook
Keith Davis
Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall
Ian Harper: Co-Chair
Mike Harrison
Rachael Killion
Logan Rath
Elliot Weininger: Co-Chair
Melissa Wight
Robert Wyant

Guests

Donald Bigelow
Thomas Chew
Denise Copelton
Damita Davis
Deborah Ferris
Kandie Gay
Jennifer Green
Scott Haines
Anna Hintz
Julie Letourneau
Hunter Lincoln
Tammy Jo Manz
William McNamara
Tyler Moesle
Summer Reiner
Darson Rhodes
Megan Sarkis
Katherine Schaal
Rey Sia
Mark Stacy
Bonnie Swoger
Christine Walterick
Susan Wielgosz
Sarah Unger

Regrets

Voting Members

James Cordeiro
Elizabeth Thorpe

Non-Voting Members

President Macpherson

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m.

 

Announcements 

Dr. Weininger announced the following:

  • Our minutes from our last meeting will be reviewed at the first meeting of the spring semester.
  • Members were thanked for their hard work this semester.
  • This is our last meeting of the semester. We will have a jam-packed agenda for the spring semester.

 

Enrollment Management Transformation Fund Update

Mr. Chew and Dr. Kelly provided an update on the Enrollment Management Transformation fund. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:

 

  • Appreciation was extended for the presentation.
  • The question was raised regarding if this is a grant program with multiple rounds with the demonstration of how the funds are used and the outcomes as the basis for receiving funds in future rounds. It was stated that is the general idea. With the first round, SUNY sent out that there was a campus allocation with two groups of funding with specific parameters. The campus would then put in what we would want to pursue for group one and group two. We do have to report on progress and outcomes on a semesterly basis. With the second round of funding, we did not expect to be selected, but we were due to our strong transfer numbers.
  • The question was raised regarding these funds being non continuous and utilizing them for personnel purposes. Does that commit us to fund these positions in the future, when would that begin, and be built into the five-year model? It was stated that there were two vacancies that were repurposed and the funding helped us expand the role. For example, the coordinator position role we made an assistant director. There is some increase in investment, but there are not two full new positions that we have to fund moving forward because there is funding there. It was stated that this is the reason for the difference between May and the current five-year model. The five-year model is using transformation funding through 2024/25 and not assumed it beyond that at this point in time.
  • Clarification was requested that our budget model assumes we take on the funding responsibility after 2025. It was stated that is correct.
  • The question was raised regarding how many military affiliated students we have and is there a growing trend. It is stated that in a Slate report, we have a hard time capturing military data because it is self-reported. In terms of the undergraduate students, we have 145 students that identify as a veteran, dependent or spouse. The dependent is the largest number with about 80. In terms of graduate students, it is 45. It was added that there are different needs based on where they fall within the group. For example, a dependent is using the benefits of a family member so they may have less of an affinity that they are in this population. Some veterans don’t identify as veterans. We work with different areas where we gather information. Parking is one of them because veterans get parking discounts. These groups help engage this population, so it helps us find out what they need to help them with their transition. Another part of veteran support that we will focus on next semester is on campus faculty and staff training on how to support military affiliated students.
  • The question was raised regarding to what degree military affiliated students are part of our recruitment endeavors. It was stated that part of it is the marketing, and Ms. Jacobs is working on some marketing around Fort Drum and these areas. Another part is our partnership with our feeder institutions. A lot of these students start at a community college. MCC is a significant feeder of these students. Along with the transfer days, we are having veteran and military tables. We are going to their departments and working with their departments, so they know what we are trying to do and what we have available for them here.
  • The question was raised regarding when we will know whether or not this funding has been renewed. It was stated that it all depends on the State budget and what SUNY wants to focus on. We are just grateful for the opportunity of the additional funding to launch new initiatives. We will keep the committee informed if we learn about the renewal of funds or new opportunities.

BASC Update

  • Mr. McNamara introduced himself and provided an update on BASC. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:

     

    • Appreciation was extended for the presentation.
    • The question was raised regarding how long it will take to get books delivered from the new vendor Ecampus. It was stated that the books are in stock in the warehouse in Lexington, Kentucky and they ship in a matter of days instead of weeks.
    • The question was raised regarding whether it was true that a robot can deliver FroYo to an office. It was stated that it is possible, but FroYo is probably not an item that will be available for delivery.
    • It was stated that in the past, there was a student theatrical performance in one of the dining halls. The dining halls are one of the places where there is a critical mass of students. Turning the dining halls into a gallery for theatre, music, art and creative writing students would allow students to see the academic opportunities available on campus.
    • The question was raised regarding the process to ensure that students can obtain their books in a timely manner in the beginning of the semester to safeguard student success in the classroom and retention. In the past there were issues with the bookstore but some of the issues were financial aid students being able to finance their purchasing at the beginning of the semester and hopefully the shift to Ecampus will not be a further hurdle for students getting their material immediately. It was stated that BASC is working with Barnes and Noble to get the list of course materials that have been adopted the last several semesters so we can provide that to Ecampus, and they can be prepared. The faculty adoption process is an important part of the overall process so that we have the information that faculty want to use for their textbooks so that Ecampus can begin procuring that as soon as possible. We will continue to work closely with the Provost and faculty to get that information. There is a lot training that will happen in the spring semester probably in February with faculty around the new adoption process. The current process for students who use financial aid in the bookstore is through Easy Money. They transfer their financial aid into Easy Money and then they spend Easy Money in the bookstore. That will continue to be the case with Ecampus. There is an opportunity for us to look at a direct financial aid to Ecampus in the future. Ecampus has the capability to do that. So it would be a matter of working with the campus partners to see if that is the direction we want go and if the campus is capable to do that.


Student Success Equity Intensive Update

Provost Abraham provided an update on the Student Success Equity Intensive. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:

 

  • Appreciation was extended for the presentation.
  • The question was raised regarding how JPBC can partner with the committee and assist with the initiative since there are currently no budget implications to review per the committee’s charge this year. It was stated that it is true there are no budget implications to review at this stage. Long term as the initiative moves forward and we are doing focus groups and the management of those activities, we may have to pay students or faculty that are monitoring activities. There isn’t going to be a large budget impact with those. For the student voices initiative and focus group it is unknown what specifically JPBC can assist with. It is important to have the committee engaged in the conversations as feedback is welcome as we continue to talk about the ways we want to proceed. For the purpose of the policy component, it would be a benefit for JPBC to help identify policies that may need attention. Policies are supposed to go through a five-year review cycle, and some have not been reviewed in 20 years.

DIFR Update

There were no questions or comments at this time.

Additional Items from the Committee

Dr. Weininger stated that committee members should watch their emails for calendar invites for the spring semester. They will be sent in the next month or so.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 a.m.