College Council Meeting Minutes
June 10, 2011
Audio recording of the meeting available on iTunes U
PRESENT ABSENT
Mr. James McMahon, Chair Mr. Saleem Cheeks, excused
Ms. Darlene Baker Mr. Steven DiMarzo, excused
Mr. Paul Culligan Mr. David Poleto, excused
Mr. Michael Goldych
Ms. Carolyn Rush
Mr. William Scriber
Mr. Gary Sluzar
Ms. Deborah F. Stanley, President
Dr. Lorrie Clemo, Interim Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Nicholas Lyons, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Ms. Kerry Dorsey, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Mr. Howard Gordon, Executive Assistant to the President
Ms. Ellen McCloskey, Assistant to the President
Dr. Susan Camp, Faculty Assembly Chair
Mr. Jonathan McDonald, Student Association President
Ms. Julie Harrison Blissert, Director of Public Affairs and College Council Recorder
1. Mr. McMahon called the meeting to order at 12:54 p.m. at SUNY Oswego's Rice Creek Field Station.
2. The minutes of the meeting of April 5, 2011, were approved.
3. Rice Creek Presentation
Dr. Clemo introduced Dr. Lucina Hernandez, director of Rice Creek Biological Field Station, who discussed the educational, community outreach and research mission of the 300-acre station and goals for improving the facility. In the past three years, the number of college courses, labs and research projects have increased at the station, while visits by school groups have declined because of shrinking school budgets. Plans include making trails more accessible, adding interpretative signage and remodeling the building.
4. Facilities Update
Dr. Hernandez introduced Mr. Tom Simmonds, associate vice president for facilities, who reviewed three years of planning for renovating the field station, which is part of the larger campus project to improve campus science facilities. The initial cost estimate of $2.6 million encompassed renovating the 4,200-square-foot building and adding 2,500 square feet for a seminar room and labs as well as relocating the Romney field observatory to the site. Most recently, a state Department of Environmental Conservation review revealed that the existing structure is within a 100-foot wetland buffer zone. Mr. Simmonds said the preference now is to build a new facility outside the buffer zone. Among factors under consideration are energy-efficiency measures, a new septic system and roadwork. Discussion touched on the funding source, flood zones and using lake water for cooling.
Mr. Goldych noted the formation of an Oswego River drainage basin group. The chair designated Mr. Goldych as the council's liaison.
5. President's Remarks
The president updated the group on developments in SUNY, including the new SUNY Report Card measuring progress on the university system's strategic plan, which provides an unprecedented level of public accountability, and the system-wide economic impact report, which showed a total impact of more than $19 billion. Both are aggregated documents that do not give numbers down to the campus level. Oswego will use the report card to compare its numbers to system numbers. Discussion included the definition of underrepresented populations, economic development regions, how to measure how SUNY contributes to the state's total economic activity, invention disclosures, what staff will monitor the progress against the report card's measures, and the report card's lack of grades. The council discussed the governor's proposed tuition plan for SUNY. The president explained how in recent years the comprehensive colleges have taken greater cuts to ameliorate state cuts to the university centers. Concerns about access are addressed by the governor's plan, which is the most comprehensive of four bills for a rational tuition plan that are under consideration.
6. Faculty Report
Dr. Camp reported on Faculty Assembly approval of: graduate certificate programs in health information technology and integrated health systems, a five-year MBA program incorporating a broadcasting degree, a new photography minor, a discretionary salary increase process calendar, syllabi elements, revisions to degree programs, and a consultation process on program deactivation. She noted that the General Education Revision Task Force will issue a report in the fall and that Dr. Casey Raymond has succeeded her as co-chair of the Campus Concept Committee. Discussion involved funding for new science equipment.
7. Student Association Report
Mr. McDonald introduced himself: A resident of Champlain, he is studying adolescent education and history. His agenda for the coming year includes arriving at a sports mascot, addressing transportation and parking concerns of students, finding more student activity space, exploring electronic textbooks, restructuring the SA Programming Board, expanding academic credit for experiential learning, developing an SA website, rebranding SA, and taking up transfer concerns. He noted that more than 1,200 students voted in the spring election, the highest turnout on record. Discussion picked up on student activity space and continued on the Bridge Street Run, acquainting students with Lake Ontario beaches, and summer hours for SA staff.
8. Old Business
Mr. Goldych asked for an update on the college's Possibility Scholarship Program and associated Summer Science Immersion Program with the Syracuse Academy of Science.
9. New Business
The chair reported that he had invited Marti Anne Ellermann of SUNY Counsel's Office to a College Council meting in the fall.
He asked for information on the governor's bill on rational tuition. The president said she would pass along any information and encouraged members to contact state legislators to encourage their vote in favor of the governor's bill, especially legislators in the majority of their respective body. Mr. Goldych made a motion to endorse the governor's plan, Mr. Scriber seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
The chair referenced two resolutions provided previously to the council to recognize the service of two departing members (see below). Mr. Culligan made a motion to approve both resolutions, and Mr. Goldych seconded. The council approved the two resolutions unanimously.
Mr. Goldych suggested advertising Rice Creek Field Station in Oswego County brochures, and he commended the college on recent media coverage. Mr. Culligan praised the new Admissions video. Ms. Dorsey noted council members were about to receive another DVD, "Alumni Views and Voices," tying in with sesquicentennial activities.
Mrs. Rush announced that Operation Oswego County would honor President Stanley as economic developer of the year next week at its annual meeting.
Mr. Goldych told of his sister-in-law, an Oswego alumna, who struggled to remain in school while working many hours, succeeded with help from caring staff, and went on to great success.
The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.
Resolution
Oswego College Council
David Poleto
June 10, 2011
Whereas, SUNY Oswego is an academic community which values the abilities and contributions of its College Council members; and
Whereas, David Poleto became a member of the College Council of SUNY Oswego in 1997 and served admirably; and
Whereas, David Poleto was appointed as Chair of the College Council of SUNY Oswego by Governor George Pataki in December 2003 and served with distinction in that leadership capacity until October 2008; and
Whereas, David Poleto has, without fail, demonstrated excellence and dedication in his constant and vigorous performance of numerous responsibilities connected with the College Council of SUNY Oswego; and
Whereas, David Poleto's leadership has had a significant impact in ensuring the continued excellence of SUNY Oswego; and
Whereas, David Poleto has been highly visible and very active in the campus community, participating in Commencement activities, attending alumni events and generously using his time and resources in support of SUNY Oswego students, faculty and staff; and
Whereas, during his illustrious tenure on the College Council, David Poleto has been a valued, loyal and respected member of the greater Oswego community;
Therefore, Be It Resolved that the College Council of SUNY Oswego, with utmost appreciation for the outstanding service he has rendered in pursuit of his duties as a member of the College Council, sincerely commends and thanks David Poleto for fourteen years of distinguished service and wishes him well.
___________________________
James McMahon, Chair
SUNY Oswego College Council
___________________________
Deborah F. Stanley, President
SUNY Oswego
Resolution
Oswego College Council
Carolyn Rush
June 10, 2011
Whereas, SUNY Oswego is an academic community which values the abilities and contributions of its College Council members; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush became a member of the College Council of SUNY Oswego in 2006 and has served admirably; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush has served SUNY Oswego with distinction not only in this role, but also as former Deputy to the President and Executive Director of the Center for Business and Community Development and, years earlier, as Executive Director of the Oswego College Foundation; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush has made many important contributions to the College including her service as a leadership volunteer for Inspiring Horizons: The Campaign for Oswego, which strengthened SUNY Oswego as a learner-centered institution of higher education; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush has provided unfailing and vigorous leadership in promoting the College's reputation for quality, rigor, innovation and access; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush has utilized her commitment to the College Council of SUNY Oswego to enthusiastically and passionately support the recruitment and retention of prospective students and employees; and
Whereas, Carolyn Rush has had a remarkable career of public service and effectively and creatively demonstrated her loyalty to both the college and the greater Oswego community;
Therefore, Be It Resolved that the College Council of SUNY Oswego, with utmost appreciation for the outstanding service she has rendered in pursuit of her duties as a member of the College Council, sincerely commends and thanks Carolyn Rush for more than five years of distinguished service and wishes her well.
___________________________
James McMahon, Chair
SUNY Oswego College Council
___________________________
Deborah F. Stanley, President
SUNY Oswego
