President’s Newsletter

Friday, November 8, 2024

Dear Colleagues,

The week began with the Empire 8 Athletic meetings on Sunday and Monday in Geneseo, where we talked about a range of issues, including the most recent NCAA resolutions which will be voted on in the convention. This is our first year in Empire 8 as a full member (we were in the conference for football before this). It was good to meet the other presidents and ADs and connect on issues of importance to our programs and to our student-athletes. We had semifinals for three sports this week, two on campus. I was able to attend the second half of the field hockey game on Thursday evening.

On Tuesday I had an Audit Committee meeting for the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. I recently joined the committee, having previously served on the Data Task Force for United Way. I’m in my third term on the board. I also attended a virtual Executive Committee meeting for Willow. Other external meetings included the Rochester Area Colleges Presidents Network, which we hosted here on campus on Thursday. We discussed a variety of issues including world events, and we approved our annual financial statement.

SUNY Brockport hosted Alicia Elliott for the Ingersoll Reading on Wednesday evening at the REOC/Brockport Downtown. I believe everyone in attendance found the reading stimulating and engaging. The reading also gave me an opportunity to remember Earl Ingersoll, a fellow Atwood scholar and friend, whose gift to the university supports this important part of The Writers Forum.

I had one to ones with three cabinet members and our regular Cabinet meeting, where we had a presentation on proposed room rates for 2025-26 for residential students. Today Cabinet is having a half day retreat, reviewing the 5 year budget model which will be discussed at our upcoming Budget Town Hall next Friday, and having preliminary discussions about the opportunities for strategic investments in upcoming years. Later today I hope to attend Peter Dowe’s retirement celebration, and I will be attending a fundraiser for Camp Good Days and Special Times this evening.

Saturday will be a busy day on campus with our second Fall Open House. I look forward to catching up with many of you during the day, and I thank you in advance for your commitment to student recruitment. I will also be attending Senior Day for Football.

If, like me, you have a love-hate relationship with social media, I hope you get some time away from your mobile devices over the weekend to spend time in nature, talk with good friends, or do whatever makes you feel good about yourself and the world. Be kind to yourself. I know that this is a critical and often overwhelming part of the semester for our students and all who support them.