Navigation
Search

College Council Meeting Minutes: March 4, 2025

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
  • Ian Harper, VP for Administration and Finance
  • 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
  • Skye Paine, Brockport University Senate President
  • Ken Pink, College Council
  • Tenin Sidime, BSG President
  • Ed Suriano, Alumni Association President
  • Scott Turner, College Council Chair
  • Chris Wiest, College Council

Excused

  • Jamie Romeo, College Council

I. Chair’s Report [Mr. Turner]

  1. The meeting convened at 4:35pm.
  2. College Council reviewed the December 10, 2024, meeting notes. Mr. Pink moved to approve, and Ms. Sidime seconded. The College Council meeting minutes were approved with no revisions.
  3. Mr. Turner discussed the status of the current Council membership. He asked members if they have any suggestions to get the names to the governor for approval. Ms. Kelly said she will speak with Vinny Esposito about the status of the current nominations.
  4. Mr. Turner said last Tuesday the featured speaker at Rochester Rotary was President Macpherson, and he said she did a really great job, and they are very proud of her.
  5. Mr. Turner encouraged all Council members to contribute to the annual fund for SUNY Brockport. He said the benchmark that was set in the past is for 100% participation from Council, and he asked for this to be done by the end of June.

II. President’s Report [President Macpherson]

  1. President Macpherson talked about the beginning of the spring semester, and she spoke about how in-person classes were changed to remote on President’s Day due to weather and road conditions. She said recently there was a shortage in rock salt that was impacting the area which had an effect on the clearing of roads, parking lots, and sidewalks on campus. She discussed partnerships with the Brockport Central School District, and shared information from a meeting she and Dr. Abraham had with the Superintendent. President Macpherson shared information from the January Campus Leadership Summit. She discussed Chancellor King’s visit to campus in January, and she said the hosted dinner was attended by leaders from town and gown and it was a very positive event. She discussed the three task forces that are gathering information from the campus community, and she said they are providing information on investments in programs and spaces that University should make. President Macpherson said the Academic Affairs reorganization will be completed soon, and the University will have two schools and two colleges.
  2. President Macpherson provided federal updates that have been received that impact Title IX and NCAA, among other issues. She participated in a conference call with the NYS Attorney General earlier in the day who provided additional guidance. She emphasized that SUNY is taking the lead on communications regarding the federal landscape. She said they are in budget advocacy time, and she shared some of the meetings that she and Mr. Andriatch have been having with local legislators.
  3. President Macpherson said the current university budget is in good shape, and with the growing enrollment the University may be able to invest in additional projects across campus.
  4. President Macpherson provided an update on student enrollment. She said the spring target was exceeded by over 250 students and fall to spring retention was at a higher number than it has been for years. She said she is very proud of the fact that the University is not just meeting the targets but is exceeding them. Mr. Pink asked what this is attributed to, and President Macpherson said a lot of work, new programs, and strategic decisions. She said the University is at the final hurdle of getting a second doctorate program approved, and area colleges and universities are being canvassed as an opportunity to provide feedback. Mr. Turner asked who provides feedback in the canvas, and President Macpherson explained the process, and said she has received only one response to date, which had been positive. The deadline is later this month. President Macpherson provided an update on international student enrollment, and she said it is the highest number in a decade. She said today marks the halfway point for fall undergraduate enrollment deposits.
  5. President Macpherson shared good news from the campus. She said the University completed the NCAA probationary period, and they are now officially off probation. Mr. Turner asked what the probation entailed, and President Macpherson identified the compliance requirements and thanked Athletics for all their hard work during this period. She said Ms. Lindsey Ward, Director SBDC, was featured on a podcast, and President Macpherson highlighted some of the hard work that the SBDC has been doing and the impact they have had. President Macpherson said BASC partnered with the University and provided meals for the Facilities personnel who had been working to keep the campus roads and sidewalks clear in unseasonably cold weather earlier in the semester. President Macpherson shared other good news highlighting student achievement, along with faculty grants that have been received. She said the women’s basketball team has gained an NCAA championship berth. President Macpherson said Dr. Mareus was named the Action for a Better Community Citizen of the Year. She mentioned that there is a new sport being added, Women’s Flag Football, and the University has received a $10K NFL grant. Mr. Turner asked about the other schools in the region who will be playing, and Mr. Andriatch said there has been phenomenal press coverage. Mr. Pink asked if there will be any additional coaches, and President Macpherson said there will be a full-time coach. Mr. Pink asked if there is a men’s league, and Dr. Kelly said it is primarily seen as a women’s sport. Dr. Acker said there currently is a club sport for flag football. Mr. Turner asked who the basketball team will be playing, and Mr. Andriatch said it is Elizabethtown College. President Macpherson said the women’s gymnastics regionals is being hosted on campus this Saturday.

III. Comprehensive Campaign [Mr. Mike Andriatch]

  1. Mr. Andriatch asked that the website video of the Brockport student teacher in Alaska be shown. It was well received.
  2. Mr. Andriatch discussed the campaign and shared the current status and the campaign priorities. He also identified what the money is being raised to support, noting the five primary areas include the unrestricted scholarship endowment, emergency grants, EDI initiatives, experiential learning, and The Fund for Brockport.
  3. Mr. Andriatch provided updates to the volunteer boards, and he identified current staffing in Advancement, to include employee searches, hires, and retirements. Additionally, he discussed campaign prospects, and shared some of the meetings he and President Macpherson have been having with potential prospects.
  4. Mr. Andriatch provided additional updates in Advancement that include the new scholarship portal, and the change in banks for the Foundation. He said there are almost 1,100 scholarship applications, 80 more than last year.
  5. Mr. Andriatch identified the incoming Foundation board members, who will join in the summer.
  6. Mr. Andriatch said the President’s Donor Recognition dinner will be April 25, and the Day of Giving is April 8.
  7. Mr. Turner asked when the last Capital Campaign was, and Mr. Andriatch said it ended in 2015. Mr. Andriatch showed the Day of Giving website. Mr. Pink asked about the new staff and if they are state employees or foundation, and Mr. Andriatch said they are state employees.

IV. Student Affairs Update [Dr. Lorraine Acker]

  1. Dr. Acker provided an update on the out-of-classroom experiences for the students, as overseen by the Division of Student Affairs. She provided information on engagement, the first six weeks, civic engagement, events and programs, and occupancy growth in the Residence Halls. She also discussed The Pantry, and the Ask Ellsworth chatbot.
  2. Dr. Acker shared the mission and vision of the Division and said this is what they try to provide for all students. She said it is clear the students are back and engaged. She emphasized the importance of engagement with students during the first six weeks, and she shared information on how they have revitalized civic engagement for students. She was excited to share the purposeful planning and engagement accomplished by BSG, and she said this semester they have a full program of events each week. She said they have seen a growth in club sports participation as well, and she said this is all reflective of students who have things to do, and it helps keep students at the campus and engaged.
  3. Dr. Acker shared information on The Pantry, and she said there is a referral process if a student needs something outside of what The Pantry can provide. She said FoodLink completed a site visit, and The Pantry received a platinum status designation, which is the highest designation. Mr. Turner asked how they vet community members, and Dr. Acker said there is a QR code that people have to use to complete forms, and they capture information that way; however, they do not turn anyone away. They do this just to identify needs.
  4. Dr. Acker discussed the organizational sustainability and infrastructure for the Residence Halls, and she shared on-campus occupancy. She said the numbers reflect pre-COVID numbers. Mr. Pink asked if any dorms are vacant, and Dr. Acker said no, but they are paying attention to occupancy and offering singles where they can, which may be limited.
  5. Dr. Acker said the Joey Jackson Intercultural Center is celebrating five years this spring, and the Golden Eagle Experience is planning an upcoming service trip to Puerto Rico. She said they are hiring a Care Coordinator, who will assist students by serving as a case manager for students who come in with mental health or behavioral needs. She said the University earned the 2024 Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention.
  6. Dr. Acker shared information about the Meet Ellsworth chatbot that is being developed for students, and they are in the process of onboarding this experience. She expects to have it up and running by fall 2025. Mr. Pink asked how much it costs, and Dr. Acker said they have been using mental health funds which will support students in a more holistic way. Mr. Pink asked if other SUNY schools are doing this, and Dr. Acker identified the other ones that are already using this or similar chatbots. She said the chatbot is both reactive and proactive, where they will initiate conversations with students every 7-10 days. Mr. Pink asked if only students would have access to this, or will it include faculty and staff. Dr. Acker said she will have a team of people who will be responsible for the back end of the program, so they can be alerted to following up with students. She said they are running a pilot this semester so they can get feedback from students. She is presenting the chatbot to BSG Senate this month.
  7. Dr. Myers-Small asked if there are trigger words that would provide alerts, and Dr. Acker said there are, to include violence, mental health, or anything to do with legal matters.
  8. President Macpherson said she mentioned in the fall that Dr. Acker is an ACPA Diamond Honoree, and she said it is obvious based on all the great things going on in student affairs that Dr. Acker is promoting a very engaged experience for all students.

V. Next Meeting

The next College Council meeting will be on April 22, 2025.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.