College Council Minutes of April 10, 2014

 Audio recording of the meeting available on iTunes U

PRESENT                                         ABSENT

Mr. James McMahon, Chair         Ms. Darlene Baker, excused
Mr. Richard Farfaglia                     Mr. Saleem Cheeks, excused
Mr. Michael Goldych
Mr. Brian McGrath
Mr. Baye Muhammad
Mr. William Scriber
Mr. Gary Sluzar
Mr. Anthony Smith

Ms. Deborah F. Stanley, President
Dr. Lorrie Clemo, Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Jerald Woolfolk, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Ms. Kerry Dorsey, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Mr. Howard Gordon, Executive Assistant to the President
Ms. Kristi Eck, Chief of Staff
Ms. Ellen McCloskey, Assistant to the President
Ms. Joan Carroll, Faculty Assembly Chair
Mr. Tucker Sholtes, Student Association President
Mr. Rick Yacobush, Alumni representative
Ms. Julie Harrison Blissert, Director of Public Affairs and College Council Recorder

1. The chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in Room 114 of the Campus Center.

2.  The minutes of January 31, 2014, were unanimously approved. The chair welcomed Mr. McGrath to his first meeting and members introduced themselves.

3.   Permaculture Living Laboratory: Mr. Gordon introduced graduate student Grace Maxon, Kate Spector of the math faculty and Katherine Stout of the English faculty. They presented a proposal to develop the area south of Lee Hall into a model multi-functional and dynamic garden space, increasing biodiversity, promoting sustainability and multiplying opportunities for research and engagement. Discussion included weather effects, maintenance responsibility, the college's sustainability initiatives, hydroponics, water management, international implications, and community relations.  

4.  Student Association Report: Mr. Smith introduced his successor, Mr. Sholtes, and reported on students' involvement in student government. The council thanked Mr. Smith for his participation over the past year. Mr. Sholtes shared his goals to revive the spring involvement fair, implement an off-campus housing directory, rebrand Student Association and promote diversity. Discussion involved the fall involvement fair and relations between Student Association and the college leadership, including College Council.

5.  Alumni Report: Mr. Yacobush reported on Reunion 2014 set for June 5 to 8, 24 Alumni in Residence, Alumni Sharing Knowledge activity, regional events around the country including Career Connections in New York City, senior class activities, Torchlight on May 16, the relaunch of the Future Alumni Network, Graduates of the Last Decade activity, the next alumni magazine, and athletic hall of fame induction. Discussion topics included the appearance of alumnus PriceWaterhouse-Coopers' Bob Moritz on campus and the Golden Alumni Society.

6.  Faculty Report: Ms. Carroll reported on revisions to the curriculum, a proposal to lift the ban on ROTC on campus, bylaw revisions to increase involvement and streamline processes, a joint meeting of union and governance leaders, sharing Oswego's successful task force model within SUNY, ongoing discussions between faculty governance and administrators on such topics as StartUpNY, and a visit to campus by the head of SUNY's Faculty Senate. Discussion covered ROTC, the task force model, and Ms. Carroll as a favorite professor of accounting students.

7.  President's Remarks: President Stanley reported on the new budget: it did not cover negotiated salary increases; tuition increased $300; the understanding of maintenance of effort changed; capital funds included only critical maintenance and a few special projects still being identified. On enrollment, she noted that freshman applications are on track to exceed 11,000, a record; education applications are down, STEM applications are up; engineering is growing as planned. She spoke about the campaign for SUNY Oswego, now at $28.6 million on the way to $40 million; campaign launch festivities October 16 will include an honorary degree for Charlie Rose. She noted the possibility of using the Marano bequest to name a building, working with the College Council. She reported on the demolition of Snygg Hall, the redevelopment of Tyler Hall, Oswego's StartUpNY plans, the reaccreditation review of teacher education programs this spring, Honors Convocation, Torchlight, and Commencement moving to three ceremonies. She invited Ms. Eck to discuss the update to the Oswego Guarantee incentivizing four-year graduation and a companion app. Discussion touched on the future of education applications, the new secretary to the SUNY board of trustees, StartUpNY details, four-year graduation, advisement, community mentors, the five-year bachelor's/ MBA programs, Quest, scheduling of meetings, and whether Oswego was associated in the national media with a star prospective student.

8.  Old Business: Mr. Sluzar asked if the college solicits businesses to present renewable energy proposals. President Stanley said companies have made presentations on wind and solar energy and noted the college's sustainability focus.

9.  New Business: Mr. McGrath made, Mr. Scriber seconded, and the council unanimously approved a motion to go into executive session to discuss McDonald vs. State of New York at 3:40 p.m.
At 4:00 p.m. the council voted to return to open session on a motion by Mr. Scriber seconded by Mr. Sluzar.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.