College Council Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2020
Held via Zoom Video Conference
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Darlene Baker Lizeth Ortega-Ramirez, excused
Saleem Cheeks Samuel Roberts, Special Advisor
Richard Farfaglia to the President, Neighborhood
Michael Goldych (via phone) and Organizational Collaborations
Brian McGrath
James McMahon, chair
Kristin Shanley-Graves
Jennifer Janes, Oswego Alumni Association
Deborah F. Stanley, President
Mary Canale, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Scott Furlong, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jerri Howland, Vice President for Students Affairs and Enrollment Management
Nick Lyons, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Kristi Eck, Chief of Staff
Ellen McCloskey, Confidential Assistant to the President
Elizabeth Dunne Schmitt, Faculty Assembly Chair
Wayne Westervelt, Chief Communication Officer and College Council Recorder
1. Welcome and call to order: College Council Chair, James McMahon called the meeting to order via Zoom Video Conference at 2:09 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes of November 8, 2019 Meeting: James McMahon asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the November 8, 2019 meeting. Brian McGrath made a motion to approve; seconded by Darlene Baker. The minutes of the November 8, 2019 meeting were approved by the Council.
3. Alumni Report: Alumni Representative Jennifer Janes shared that the Alumni office had to pivot this spring and summer to deliver new virtual programming and events, including the Oswego Alumni podcast series, Alumni virtual concert, a monthly virtual village e-newsletter, a virtual 5K as well as some alumni webinars. Alumni volunteers helped admissions and the enrollment management office by connecting with prospective and admitted students to encourage their commitment to Oswego. Janes also shared that the Alumni Association has been meeting with Dr. Rodmon King to advance diversity and inclusion at SUNY Oswego.
4. Faculty Report: Faculty Assembly Chair Elizabeth “Liz” Dunne Schmitt reported that Faculty Assembly approved many revisions to the curriculum in spring 2020 including criminal justice, geology tracks, new tracks in biomedical and health informatics. The College also added a Business analytics minor, Entrepreneurship minor, and a Literacy program in the School of Education. Schmitt reported that the faculty voted to enact the policies recommended by the Task Force on Free Speech, Civil Discourse, and Peaceful Assembly. She shared that with the shift to online/remote learning in March, Faculty Assembly and the executive board approved the expanded pass-fail option. Schmitt added that faculty are also looking at the curriculum this summer, particularly curriculum development to promote diversity and inclusion. The General Education Council is working over the summer to develop categories that address diversity and inclusion, learning outcomes and a plan to pilot courses. President Stanley thanked Schmitt and commented on how strong the partnership is with Faculty Assembly.
5. President’s Remarks, Campus Update: President Stanley presented the Oswego Forward Plan and the details associated with fall 2020 semester and the return of students to campus in August. She provided clarification of the CARES Act, in which $7,599,228 in total Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding has been awarded to SUNY Oswego, with a significant portion of these funds having already been distributed to students. President Stanley reported to Council members on the Fall 2020 Virtual Recruitment Efforts, and the Fall 2020 Enrollment Preview. She also initiated a discussion on the College endowment ($44 million as of 7/27/20); the Path Forward scholarship campaign; Student Emergency Fund; capital projects; and the New York State 2020-2021 Budgetand the impact a deficit on the State budget will have on SUNY Oswego.
6. Old Business: No old business was discussed.
7. New Business: A resolution recognizing Oswego Forward: A Plan for Fall 2020 Restart at SUNY Oswego (PDF) was presented. Motion to adopt the resolution was made by Brian McGrath. Seconded by Darlene Baker.
A suggestion was made by Council member Saleem Cheeks to add a statement to the resolution regarding students. According to Cheeks, “They’re a big part of this response and their compliance with it and how they respond is important.”
Resolution approved by all college council members with this amendment.
Motion to adjourn was made by Brian McGrath; seconded by Richard Farfaglia and approved by all at 3:59 p.m.