College Council Meeting Minutes: December 3, 2021
COLLEGE COUNCIL
Via Zoom
December 3, 2021
PRESENT: Laura Benjamin, Student Association President
Melisza Campos
Gidget Hopf
Judith Hunter
Christian Valentino
Robert Wayland-Smith, Chair
Jill Yonkers
STAFF: Denise Battles, President
Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
Ellen Leverich, Vice President for College Advancement
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: Matthew Pastizzo, Associate Professor & Chair of Psychology
Francheska Colon, Student
Tim Sellers, ACE Fellow
Jolanda Westerhof, Dean, School of Education
Michelle “Mitch” Wolf, Student
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
Chair welcomed everyone together virtually.
The minutes of the October 1, 2021 meeting were approved.
FACULTY/STAFF AND STUDENT PRESENTATION
The School of Education: Steps Towards a Better Geneseo
Dr. Jolanda Westerhof, Dean
Francheska Colon ’23
Michelle “Mitch” Wolf ’24
Dr.Westerhof introduced the student presenters and how their background and experiences at Geneseo informed their involvement in the presentation.
The presenters shared demographic information related to enrollment into the education major and associated certification programs. Roughly a fifth of all Geneseo undergraduates are studying to be teachers. These data about who is enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students and what certification programs they are in are helping to shape the planning Dr. Westerhof is leading in the School of Education.
The student presenters provided an overview of their experiences at Geneseo and what lead them to enroll at Geneseo. Mitch Wolf shared insights about being a transfer student to Geneseo and the challenges associated with transitioning to a new college. She further shared recommendations she has for helping ease the transition. Francheska Colon described challenges some students encounter with transportation to off-site placements and recommendations for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Access, affordability, and preparation for Geneseo students to work with inner city and under-resourced school districts is an area for progress.
The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION (SA) REPORT
Laura Benjamin provided an update on the business of the Student Association. Election are being held on December 13 to fill an existing vacancy in the executive council. SA continues to work on its gated spending plan which includes a major spring concert and an SA Soiree. The SA will be hiring a new service manager as the current position holder will be retiring after 24 years of service. SA has been funding a cultural heritage months speaker series and is establishing an endowment to support diversity and equity initiatives. The student affairs committee has been active and working on several student-focused initiatives.
COLLEGE SENATE REPORT
Amy Sheldon provided a Senate update. The senate endorsed the University FS resolution that calls on all members of the college community to advocate for robust funding for SUNY and CUNY in the state’s executive budget. The senate is in process of approving a suite of courses that help us transition to the new general education curriculum. These courses would be offered beginning next fall. We are also working on other constitutional changes that are necessary under the new general education curriculum. The senate will be asked to endorse a statement of professionalism which will establish expectations for interactions and engagement within the senate.
The Senate Chair entertained Q&A from College Council.
CABINET PRESENTATION and INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION TOPIC
Community Engagement 2.0: Values-2-Vision
Stacey Robertson, Provost
Matthew Pastizzo, Associate Professor & Chair of Psychology
Dr. Robertson and Dr. Pastizzo updated College Council on the current efforts of the Strategic Planning Group (SPG) for the 2021-2022 academic year. The SPG has participated in training related to design thinking and is using this approach as it works to develop a new vision statement and the successor strategic plan.
Dr. Pastizzo provided an overview of the new app that is in development that will engage the broader college community in the vision development exercise in a way that spurs continued conversation and that easily and seamlessly captures those engagements across different devices and platforms.
Presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.
SUNY System-related Items
The annual conference for SUNY Council members and College trustees was held in the fall and attended, virtually, by President Battles and Chair Wayland-Smith. A report from a working group considering the role and functions of College Councils was shared at the conference. In October, Geneseo hosted a visit by SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Merryl Tisch.
Financial Health and Sustainability
On overview of SYNY System enrollment data over time was provided. These data demonstrated the 1-year and 10-year change across the system as a whole and among campus types (university centers, comprehensive colleges, community colleges). The range in impacts varies widely.
Selected College actions Geneseo is undertaking in response include:
- Campus expense reductions
- Federal Cares Act funding
- SUNY System debt refinancing
- CAS actions
- Academic and enrollment initiatives
- Program analysis and alignment
- Capital funding
Area of financial focus are:
- Increase revenue generation
- Seek to reduce projected campus reserve draw
Update on Key Initiatives
Key initiatives for the current academic year and beyond include a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; a Geneseo Education for a Connected World; reaffirmation of institutional accreditation; and facilities projects.
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 closed the meeting by reminding Council members that February 11 and April 8 have been identified for the spring 2022 meetings. We will communicate with members in advance of those meetings to garner input on future meeting agendas. Chair thanks the College’s leadership for all their efforts throughout the pandemic.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
The meeting adjourned at 3:12p.m.
Denise A. Battles Wendi Kinney
President Recording Secretary