College Council Meeting Minutes: April 8, 2022

COLLEGE COUNCIL

Via Zoom

April 8, 2022

PRESENT:      Iris Banister
                        Laura Benjamin, Student Association President
                        Melisza Campos
                        Christian Valentino
                        Robert Wayland-Smith, Chair
                        Jill Yonkers                                                                      

STAFF:           Denise Battles, President
                        Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration         
                        Joe Cope, Associate Provost for Academic Success
                        Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff           

                        Ellen Leverich, Vice President for College Advancement
                        Monique Patenaude, Director of Media Relations
                        Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
                        Stacey Robertson, Provost

                        Amy Sheldon, College Senate Chair
                        Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management
                        Michael Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life

     GUESTS:       Sarah Frank, Director of Residence Life
                             Emi Kanemoto, Adjunct Lecturer in Communication
                             
David Parfitt, Director of Teaching & Learning Center
                             
Maya Pellitteri, Student
                             
Alexander Ruiz, Student
                             Rocio Ruiz, Student

                             Monica Schneider, Professor of Psychology
                             Suann Yang, Associate Professor of Biology

 

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.

Chair welcomed everyone to the last meeting of the school year.

The minutes of the February 11, 2022 meeting were approved.

FACULTY/STAFF PRESENTATION

Advancing Cultural Competency Certificate Program
Monica Schneider, Professor of Psychology, David Parfitt, Director of Teaching & Learning Center, Sarah Frank, Director of Residence Life, Suann Yang, Associate Professor of Biology

Presenters introduced College Council to the Advancing Cultural Competency Certificate (ACCC) Program. Highlighted were the goals of the program, the pedagogical elements, curriculum outline, and participant outcomes. To date, 170 individuals have completed the program. In response to the program’s continued evolution and demand for participation, ACCC is being offered as stand alone, one-time workshops and ACCC program alums are being trained to facilitate.

 

     The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.
 

STUDENT PRESENTATION

Intergroup Dialogue Program
Maya Pellitteri ’23, Rocio Ruiz ’23

The presenters provided an overview of the Intergroup Dialogue (IDG) Program, which consists of two academic courses: XLRN 250: Intergroup Dialogue and XLRN 350: Dialogue Facilitation Training. Goals of the courses are: diversity awareness, communication, and self-reflection. The outcomes and impacts of the program were discussed.

     The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

COLLEGE SENATE REPORT

Amy Sheldon provided a Senate update. Senate has defined the areas of the new curriculum that will be assigned to the majors; approved reducing the current general education requirements for students choosing to continue under the old requirements; approved new and revised courses, programs, and additional courses for the new curriculum; revised the policy to make it possible for economics majors to double-major within the School of Business; and updated the General Education and Seamless Transfer policy to reflect new SUNY requirements. Additionally, Senate updated classroom policies to: require that course syllabi include statements on student accommodations, class attendance on religious holidays, and military leave; and added a new statement on pregnant and parenting students. Senate recently passed a statement on the war and humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine that condemns the invasion and states support for the Ukrainian people.

STUDENT ASSOCIATION (SA) REPORT

Laura Benjamin provided an update on the business of the Student Association (SA). This will be Laura’s final meeting. SA elections have been held and Alexander Ruiz has been elected the incoming SA president. He is the first BIPOC SA president and the entire incoming SA board is majority students of color. The spring concert is April 23. This is a $200K initiative as part of the SA spend down plan. The SA service manager has retired. The position has been reorganized and position responsibilities have been updated to reflect current SA needs. Procedures for utilizing the annual spend for the newly established DEI fund are being developed. Intercultural Showcase is scheduled for April 29 as a reimagined version of the former Intercultural Dinner. The Multicultural Center (opening in the former Knight Spot) is being furnished and ready to open in the Fall 2022. The LGBTQ+ space is also in progress. In partnership with the President, the spring Multicultural Leaders Event was held on April 1. The Student Affairs Committee of SA has been very active with collaborative initiatives throughout the semester.

The Chair congratulated Alex on his election and thanked Laura for her leadership.

CABINET PRESENTATION & INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION TOPIC

Enrollment Management, Past, Present, and our Future
Costas Solomou

VP Solomou shared a statistical snapshot of the incoming class for the Fall 2021 including first-year, transfer, and graduate students. Data were also shared reflecting the number of colleges in NY, number of high school graduates in NY, and percentage of high school graduates who attend college out of state. Enrollment SUNY-wide is declining, especially among the comprehensive college sector. A preliminary snapshot of the Fall 2022 admitted student profile was reviewed. Institutions must adapt and evolve as what students expect of campuses has significantly shifted post-pandemic. Competition with the market will intensify; affordability needs to be addressed, especially for first-generation, low-income, students of color; collaboration and coordination across the system is essential; flexible options for students to complete their degree is needed; and growth in non-degree certificate and micro-credentials are needed to address emerging technologies. To address these challenges, Geneseo is building partnerships and new pathways.

Presenter entertained Q&A from College Council.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.

State budget outlook
An overview of the State budget and anticipated higher education elements was shared.

Strategic planning
The President updated College Council on the work of the Strategic Planning Group. A refreshed vision statement and completion of the remaining elements of the strategic plan are anticipated by the end of the academic year.

Ongoing Pandemic Response
An overview of the continued spring 2022 pandemic response protocols was shared.

Other Key Initiatives
Key initiatives for the current academic year and beyond include revenue generation initiatives, physical plant projects, reaffirmation of institutional accreditation, and the provost search. Revenue generation efforts focus on student recruitment and retention and development of a physical presence in Rochester. Anticipated facilities and infrastructure work include the College Circle and Sturges Hall. The new Multicultural Center in the former Knight Spot was highlighted. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education virtual visit was completed earlier this week and an announcement of the final outcome is expected in June. Joe Cope has been named Interim Provost effective July 1 and a national search for the ongoing Provost will commence in Fall 2022.

Accolades
Battles highlighted a few of the many recent faculty, staff, student, and alumni achievements, awards, and recognitions.

The President entertained Q&A from College Council.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Chair Wayland-Smith had no report.

NEW BUSINESS
College Council Feedback Survey Discussion

Chair Wayland-Smith queued up a discussion of the survey feedback received from various College Council members about meeting format and function. It is our expectation to continue to assess Council effectiveness annually. The survey focused on the areas of Council roles (advisory, regulatory, advocacy) and meeting logistics.

The Chair thanked meeting attendees for their participation in the survey and in today’s meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 3:36 p.m.

Denise A. Battles                                                                                Wendi Kinney

President                                                                                             Recording Secretary