Vice President News from Ian Harper
The end of the Academic year is upon us, and there is a hive of activity across the campus. We have hosted several Empire 8 sporting events this last month, supported future-student events, and a number of external functions, just to name a few – and of course Commencement is next week. Many thanks to everyone who has provided support to these various events; this is just another reminder of the vital role our division plays in the successful running of the University. As I mention Commencement, it would be remiss of me not to highlight that our very own Steve Cook, head of BITS, will be receiving his Doctorate today. On behalf of the division, many congratulations Steve! While we are in a congratulatory mood, congratulations to Jeff Thompson, Tanasee Conner, and Krystal Reagan on receiving their respective awards noted within, very well deserved. And congratulations to our many retirees: John Carlson, Robert Young, Dawn Voorhees, Juanita Jenks, MaryJo Jenks, Glenn Moy, and Susan Bush.
At the end of April, I attended the President’s Donor Recognition Dinner event (first time held since COVID); this was an amazing celebration of the generosity and support our Alumni and local community members have given the University, in many instances over a significant number of years.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to present our 5-year financial model at the semi-annual Budget Town Hall; many thanks to all who attended and I’m happy to report that we are in a solid financial position.
The end of the month will see, in earnest, the start of the campus-wide Electrical Infrastructure Project. This project will upgrade the electrical supply to the entire campus and will involve rolling power outages throughout the summer. I encourage you to check out the Electrical Infrastructure Project webpage for more details.
As we come to the end of the Academic Year, it does provide a period for reflection and I encourage you to take this time to think about ways we can simplify our working lives, such as identifying activities we can improve upon or eliminate.
I hope you are still enjoying our monthly Newsletter, and look out for the “New Segment” within! Take care and thank you for all that you do.
Departmental News
Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation (BASC)
Dining Services is happy to introduce new specialty beverages including boba drinks and smoothies at Jitterbugs Café, located in the Seymour Union. Stop by to check out these new delicious options!
Asian Islander Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month was celebrated at Harrison and Brockway Express Dining Halls on May 1 as part of Dining Service’s ongoing Heritage Menu Series. We hope you stopped by to taste some delicious recipes adapted from AAPI chefs.
During Final’s Week, Dining Services’ hours of operation will vary and all locations will be closed starting Friday, May 16. Please visit BASC for the complete schedule of hours. Beginning June 2, Jitterbugs Café will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the summer. Please note that Jitterbugs will be closed June 19, July 4, and August 7-8.
As a reminder, the spirit shop in Seymour Union will be closed after Commencement as we transition service providers. Stop by in June to visit the SUNY Brockport Campus Store, under new management.
Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FMO)
Many thanks to Stephen McDaniels of Facilities Maintenance and Kevin Manners of Facilities Moving who assisted the Village of Brockport on April 25 during their 19th Annual Arbor Day Celebration by planting trees on Barry Street, Victory Drive, and in Barry Street Park. The Village Department of Public Works (DPW) delivered the trees to the planting sites, power augured the planting holes, and supervised the volunteers who planted the trees. They were assisted by SUNY Facilities crew who have partnered with the Village all 19 years. Volunteers included SUNY Brockport students, high school students, Tree Board members, Village Hall staff, and elected officials. American Hornbeam, Snowdrift Crabapple, Serviceberry, and Bur Oak trees were planted. A grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation funded the plantings.
Facilities Planning & Construction (FPC)
At the northwest corner of our campus, the NYS Canal Corporation’s new Pedestrian Bridge across the Erie Canal is almost complete and will open within two weeks!
Finance & Management (F&M) – “Ta-Da” List
- Submitted the Spring Revenue Re-projection, which is looking quite promising!
- Monitored 671 P-Card transactions in April, totaling $315,156.
- Onboarded all of Academic Affairs into EagleMart.
- Implemented new external collection agency; submitted initial account placements and have started to receive payment(s).
- Successfully produced, analyzed, and submitted applicable reconciliations/reports for the 03/31/25 NYS fiscal year-end.
- Scholars Day 2025 was more robust and a resounding success!
Departmental Fun Facts
BASC sold over 600 Boba Drinks at Jitterbugs Café during the first week of offering. Stop by to try one of the ever-popular milk teas including: classic, salted caramel, strawberry jasmine, taro, or Thai – OR – try a mango black or green tea, mango or strawberry lemonade, or dragon fruit strawberry drink. Traditional tapioca boba or flavored popping boba options are also available.
Employees in the Spotlight!
New Employees
Finance & Management’s Procurement & Payment Services Department welcomes Emily Willard as their new Accounts Payable Specialist and Property Control Coordinator! Please welcome Emily to our division and the campus.
Promotion
Facilities Maintenance & Operations’ Parking & Transportation Services Department congratulates Kayla Guck Arno for her promotion to Administrative Assistant 1 in the Welcome Center!
New Role
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS) welcomes George Piccolo to their team! George previously worked in Residential Life and began his new role as a Classroom Support Specialist for BITS on April 10, 2025.
Retirements
- Finance & Management congratulates John Carlson, our Mail Services Supervisor, on his upcoming retirement and thanks him for his 30 years of service! John is known for his excellent customer service, homemade cookies, and being the Buffalo Bills’ #1 fan!
- Facilities Maintenance & Operations congratulates and thanks the following staff for their years of service to SUNY Brockport and wishes them well in their retirements beginning this summer!: Robert Young, Dawn Voorhees, Juanita Jenks, MaryJo Jenks, Glenn Moy, and Susan Bush.
Awards
BITS congratulates Jeff Thompson for receiving the 2025 Outstanding Service to the University – Professional Staff Award and Tanasee Conner and Krystal Reagan for receiving a 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service!
Summer Student Workers
Facilities Maintenance & Operations is excited to share that they have recruited 30 university students for the summer to assist in the following areas: Moving, Painting, Cleaning, and Grounds work. These students will be joining the Facilities’ team from May 22 through August 13, 2025.
BizLibrary suggested course of the month
Safety for Heat-Related Illnesses: Employees – This video lesson is timely, with summer almost upon us! This video is meant to help viewers recognize, treat, and prevent heat-related illnesses so that they can stay safe when working in hot conditions. This lesson also covers the factors that increase the risks of heat stress and the actions workers can take to prevent potentially life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Ultimately, after watching this lesson, viewers will understand how to protect themselves from heat stress and how to respond appropriately if they think a coworker is suffering from a heat-related illness.
April 2025 Green & Gold Star Awards
- Michell Brague (FMO Custodial): For doing such a GREAT job cleaning the ice arena and being a team player! Submitted by Facilities
- Britney Carey (F&M / PPS): Thank you for always being so helpful, efficient and amazing at your job! You are the best! Submitted by FPC
- Sue Clase (HR & Payroll): For always answering questions quickly when clarification is needed! Submitted by BITS
- Steve Cook (BITS): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Steve Cook (BITS): Last minute help on the Commencement program list of names. Submitted by Advancement & Comm
- Laura Coriddi (BITS): Last minute help on the Commencement program list of names. Submitted by Advancement & Comm
- Laura Coriddi (BITS): For your expertise and outstanding work related to the eCampus transition project. Submitted by BASC
- Holly Cunningham (HR & Payroll): Thanks for always getting back to me very quickly on questions I have! Submitted by BITS
- Natalie Farr (FMO Custodial): For doing such a GREAT job cleaning the block house bathrooms. Submitted by Facilities
- Robert Fisher (F&M / Print Shop): For extraordinary service in support of Scholars Day. Submitted by SRSP
- Robert Fisher (F&M / Print Shop): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE Conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Sonya Flynn (HR & Payroll): For always answering questions quickly when clarification is needed! Submitted by BITS
- Mike Gamin (BITS): Last minute help on the Commencement program list of names. Submitted by Advancement & Comm
- Keith Gaylor (BITS): Thank you for helping with the installation of the software for the CCSCNE conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Kayla Guck-Arno (FMO / Parking): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE Conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Matthew Kotula (F&M / SRSP): An amazing job coordinating, organizing, and pulling together the new reimagined Scholars Day! Submitted by SRSP
- Matthew Kotula (F&M / SRSP): Matt did a fantastic job at planning, coordinating, and executing Scholar’s Day! Submitted by Psychology
- Matthew Kotula (F&M / SRSP): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE Conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Debbie Looney (HR & Payroll): For your indispensable help with handling student payroll in a time of emergency. Submitted by Journ., Broadcast. & PR
- Debbie Looney (HR & Payroll): Assisting IT with switching SUNY HR notifications from an alumni to a staff account. Submitted by BITS
- Kelly Lutz (F&M / Print Shop): For extraordinary service in support of Scholars Day. Submitted by SRSP
- Gina Maclaren (BASC): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE Conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Mark Maglietto (BITS): For your hard work and dedication in learning and configuring the new Teams Calling phone system. Submitted by BITS
- Pat Maxwell (BITS): For keeping me sane during NEOED creation and Kristin’s absence. Your support is invaluable! Thanks! Submitted by HR & Payroll
- Pat Maxwell (BITS): SULA would like to acknowledge Pat for her invaluable help with everything related to Mach Form! Submitted by SULA
- George McCauley (FMO Custodial): For help cleaning the outside bathrooms. GREAT TEAMWORK! Submitted by Facilities
- Phillip Payne (FMO Grounds): Your hard work! Also, a big thank you for always brightening my day with a hello and a kind smile!! Submitted by Finance & Management
- George Piccolo (BITS): Thank you for always being polite, courteous, and helpful when called upon as needed with RD issues. Submitted by University Police
- Kallee Quill (HR & Payroll): Offering your expertise and time aligning job title for a member. Thank you. Submitted by Parking/Transportation
- Krystal Reagan (BITS): Thank you for helping with the CCSCNE conference! Submitted by Computing Sciences
- Krystal Reagan (BITS): Thank you for all of your hard work updating the BITS website and TDX with our department updates. Submitted by CELT
- David Sutton (FMO Custodial): For doing such a GREAT job cleaning the ice arena and being a team player! Submitted by Facilities
- David Sutton (FMO Custodial): For being a great a team player/switching your pass days to make sure we had coverage. Submitted by Facilities
May Birthdays
- Matt Ashmore
- Tina Bieber
- Michell Brague
- Cody Butlin
- Colleen Crouse
- Aidan Ehnot
- Sharon Engle
- Jessica Englert
- Andrew Fogg
- Johnna Frosini
- Shawn Garrison
- Elizabeth Goodson
- John Guck
- Hannah Kearns
- Krystyne Kittle
- Kayla Manners
- Brad Menear
- Gary Morog
- Glenn Moy
- Dan Murdoch
- Brittany Narburgh
- Anthony Olivieri
- Brooke Prince
- Stewart Robinson
- Helen Emily Russell
- Jose Santiago
- Laurie Smith
- Tippy Srijaiwong-Nellist
- Roxanne Thomas
- Robert Warner
- Julie Welday
- Makenzi Wynn
May Work Anniversaries & Years of Service
- Reddy Anugu, 32
- Theresa Martinez, 28
- Christopher Swift, 21
- Susan Bush, 20
- Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall, 19
- Mark Maglietto, 18
- Denine Carr, 10
- Jeremy Dobson, 8
- Megan Radder, 8
- Kelly Hastings, 7
- Tina Bieber, 6
- Christopher Martinez, 6
- Deborah Vivian, 6
- David Sutton, 3
- Angelo Cole, 1
- Jason Conn, 1
- Ian Harper, 1
- Scott Mcallister, 1
- George Yankanich, 1
Events Coming Up
- May 15, 2025 (5pm) – Almost Alum Block Party on the lawn of Eagle Hall
- May 16, 2025 (9:30am & 2pm) – Commencement Ceremonies in the SERC
- May 20, 2025 (2:00-3:30pm) – Employee Appreciation Day / Ice Cream Social in the SERC
- May 22, 2025 (5:30-8:00pm) – University Recognition Dinner in Cooper Hall’s NY Room
- June 02 through Sept 17 – Campus Electrical Upgrade Initiative across our North Campus
- June 13, 2025 (11am-Noon) – Ribbon-Cutting for Pedestrian Bridge over the Canal in Commissary Park
- Every Friday! – Green & Gold Fridays – everyone is encouraged to wear their SUNY Brockport gear / colors!
*Check out our inclusive SUNY Brockport Events Calendar*
If you have news you’d like included in a future issue, please email to Laurie A. Smith (lausmith@brockport.edu).