College Council Meeting Minutes: October 6, 2023

COLLEGE COUNCIL

Tower Room, Doty Hall 

October 6, 2023

 

 

 

PRESENT:      Ryan Frangipani

Gidget Hopf 

                        Jill Yonkers 

                        

                                                                        

STAFF:           Denise Battles, President

                        Dan Blankenship, Interim Provost 

Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration          
Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair

Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer                      
Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff            

                        Ellen Leverich, Vice President for College Advancement

Heather Overholt, Executive Assistant to the President
            Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President

robbie routenberg, Chief Diversity Officer

                        Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management (via zoom)

Michael Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life

            

GUESTS:        David Norton, Director of Planning and Construction

Daniel Ross ’09, Head of Access Services, Milne Library

Clifton Harcum, Director of Multicultural Affairs 

Iliana Papadopoulos ’25

Renee Spencer ’26

 

                        

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Convener Jill Yonkers called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. 

 

Yonkers welcomed attendees to the first meeting of the academic year. 

 

The minutes of the May 5, 2023 meeting were approved. 

 

 

STUDENT ASSOCIATION REPORT

 

Ryan Frangipani updated Council on the activities of the Student Association (SA). The SA financial policy was updated. The SA held a special election to fill vacancies in leadership positions. The Intercultural Dinner will be held next week. Work is underway on constitutional amendments. 

 

Frangipani entertained questions from College Council.

 

 

CABINET/FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENT PRESENTATION 

 

Campus Master Planning and Highlighted Projects

Julie Buehler ‘89, VP for Finance and Administration

David Norton, Director of Planning and Construction

Daniel Ross ’09, Head of Access Services, Milne Library

Clifton Harcum, Director of Multicultural Affairs 

Iliana Papadopoulos ’25

Renee Spencer ’26

 

Julie Buehler shared updates related to the College’s ten-year master plan for facilities projects. Highlighted were new project completions including the Multicultural Center, Kuhl Gym, Starbucks, College Union Ballroom, and Wilson Ice Arena. Progress on projects underway (Sturges Hall, College Circle, and Milne Library) was shared.

 

An overview of the library staff and its services was offered by Dan Ross. There are currently seven Chancellor’s Award winners on the staff and the average tenure is 13yrs. 

 

Meeting attendees were shown a virtual 3D model of Milne Library.

 

Clifton Harcum and students Iliana Papadopolous and Renee Spencer described the importance of identity-affirming spaces on campus. The Multicultural Center was highlighted as one such space. The Center is utilized by students for study, social gatherings and relaxation, student organization meetings, events and activities, and lectures. The nature of the space facilitates increased involvement and engagement.

 

The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.

 

 

COLLEGE SENATE REPORT

 

Senate Chair Rob Doggett reports that the Senate continues to tag courses for the new GLOBE curriculum, making progress on updating course evaluation process, and will begin work on constitution revisions that will be required to accommodate the addition of a dean of arts and sciences. Chair Doggett shared that the changing landscape of higher education has raised anxiety for faculty and recommended that the college community respond with care and concern.

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates. 

 

Launching the New Academic Year

The President offered a snapshot of fall enrollment data (pre-census) and activities surrounding the opening of the academic year.

 

Welcoming New Academic Leaders

Lerong He joins the college as the Dean of the School of Business and Dan Blankenship joins as the Interim Provost. The search for the ongoing provost is underway, with anticipation of finalist interviews conducted at the end of the fall semester and the start date of the new provost no later than summer 2024. The vacated vice provost position will be repurposed as a dean of arts and sciences.

 

Selected College updates

President Battles shared updates related to:

  • Strategic plan and key initiatives for this academic year
  • Receipt of almost $1M in SUNY Transformation Funds
  • Key diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
  • Financial health and sustainability
  • Transition to the Empire 8 athletic conference next academic year

 

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

 

Convener Yonkers thanked the presenters for providing their reports and sharing the good work that is being done at the college. Yonkers encouraged Council members to participate in giving to the Geneseo Foundation with the goal of achieving 100% participation. Yonkers also reminded Council members to provide their feedback to President Battles and Chair Wayland-Smith about future meeting topics.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.

 

 

Denise A. Battles                                                                                Wendi Kinney

President                                                                                             Recording Secretary