Present:
Darlene Baker
Tom Ehrhard, Student Association President Richard Farfaglia
Brian McGrath, Esq.
Jim McMahon, Chair
Christine Patrick
Kristin A. Shanley-Graves, Esq
Guest: Saleem Cheeks, Former Council Member (2006-2022)
Mary Toale, Officer in Charge
Reginald Braggs, Interim Executive to the President and Affirmative Action Officer
Mary Canale, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement
Kendra Cadogan, Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Kristi Eck, Chief of Staff, Executive Director of Strategic Planning & Project Development Scott Furlong, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management Victoria Furlong, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Jennifer Janes, Oswego Alumni Association
Kathleen Kerr, Vice President for Student Affairs
Elizabeth Dunne Schmitt, Professor of Economics, Faculty Assembly Chair
Wayne Westervelt, Chief Communication Officer
1. Welcome and Call to Order: College Council Chair, James McMahon called the meeting to order via Zoom Video Conference at 2:04 p.m. McMahon introduced and welcomed the newest member of the College Council – Christine Patrick, a SUNY Oswego alumna.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting: James McMahon asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2022 meeting. Brian McGrath made a motion to approve; Richard Farfaglia seconded. All were in favor. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved by the Council.
3. Commencement video: Chief Communication Officer Wayne Westervelt shared a video that the Office of Communications and Marketing team put together to capture the May 2022 Commencement ceremonies at SUNY Oswego. According to Westervelt, the video really emphasizes and highlights why we all do what we do at SUNY Oswego.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6kDaOZHgI.
4. Student Association (SA) Report: Newly elected SA President Tom Ehrhard shared the main goals of SA for the coming year (fall ’22-spring ’23):
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Strengthening relationships with all student organizations
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Educating/informing students
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Getting students outside and motivated
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Increasing collaboration
Ehrhard stressed that the Student Association is excited to hit the ground running once the fall semester begins thanks largely to waning COVID cases compared to the last few semesters. The executive cabinet will work hard to ensure greater student engagement in collaboration with clubs and organizations. He also spoke about the membership of SA, including the Senate and the Cabinet members, and alluded to some of the upcoming plans for SA, both summer and fall.
5. Alumni Report: Alumna Jennifer Janes reported that alumni engagement was happy to bring several events and programs to their live formats this spring – particularly the in- person Commencement Eve Torchlight dinner and ceremony on May 13 – in which more than 250 graduates, family members, faculty, staff, alumni and friends joined together for dinner on the eve of May Commencement, featuring a keynote address from Trudy Perkins ’93, followed by the 87th Annual Torchlight Ceremony. Janes shared that SUNY Oswego alumni continued to support Admissions and the Office of Communications and Marketing in their enrollment/recruitment efforts this year. She also shared some exciting news about Reunion Weekend 2022, which will be held in person this year (June 9 - 12) with more than 630 guests having registered to date.
6. Faculty Report: Faculty Assembly Chair Elizabeth Dunne Schmitt gave a report for the entire academic year. She pointed out that the college revised and approved several new undergraduate courses and programs, including some exciting graduate programs and micro credentials. Schmitt highlighted the excitement around the new Latino/Latin American Studies minor.
She spoke on some academic policy changes, specifically referencing the “E to F” Policy and the Course Withdrawal Policy that specifically examined removing barriers to success.
In other business, there were several resolutions passed, bylaws revised, and outside reports presented to Faculty Assembly and GeneralFaculty. Schmitt shared that she was recently reelected to a second two-year term through 2024 and closed by detailing work anticipated for the upcoming 2022-’23 academic year, including the review of several academic officers, a review of Bylaw language, revisions to the Faculty and Staff handbook, and the planning of a “Facilities Update” at a future Faculty Assembly meeting.
7. Campus Update: Officer in Charge Mary C. Toale briefed the members of the College Council on the following areas: SUNY Oswego 2021-2022 budget, New York State 2022-2023 budget, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), update on SUNY Oswego COVID-19 related expenses, enrollment, campus updates and initiatives, capital updates and theuniversity’srecentCommencementceremonies. Inherupdate,Dr.Toalehighlightedthe strong position SUNY Oswego is in this year relating to applications and deposits for the upcoming fall 2022 semester; the work the leadership team will be engaging in this summer to review SUNY Oswego’s institutional priorities; alumnus James A. Triandiflou’s $1 million+ naming gift to the Institute for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Transformative Practice; the recent Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) virtual team visit in March; and the Economic Impact Analysis that details SUNY Oswego’s $419.4 million total annual impact on the Central New York region (for year 2019-2020).
Dr. Toale shared that recently many SUNY Comprehensive College presidents have expressed mutual interest in changing the designation of their institution from a college to a university of discussing this with faculty governance and would like to support a joint letter from other SUNY comprehensive college presidents to the SUNY Chancellor requesting this designation be approved. The designation of university would help make SUNY Oswego's academic offerings (both undergraduate and graduate) more attractive to prospective (domestic and international) students. College Council Chair McMahon shared he supports this changed designation and would be glad to provide a resolution of support from the College Council when needed. because the institutions now meet the university designation. SUNY Oswego is in the process of discussing this with faculty governance and would like to support a joint letter from other SUNY comprehensive college presidents to the SUNY Chancellor requesting this designation be approved. The designation of university would help make SUNY Oswego's academic offerings (both undergraduate and graduate) more attractive to prospective (domestic and international) students. College Council Chair McMahon shared he supports this changed designation and would be glad to provide a resolution of support from the College Council when needed.
8. Old Business: None
9. New Business: The College Council presented and unanimously approved two resolutions to recognize graduating Student Association President Takayla Beckon ‘22, and honor Saleem M. Cheeks for his nearly 16 years of service as a College Council Member (December 2006- April 2022) and for both of their contributions to SUNY Oswego.
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College Council Resolution Honors Long-Standing Member Saleem M. Cheeks (PDF)
- Former SA President Takayla Beckon '22 Recognized by College Council (PDF)
Cheeks proudly acknowledged the recognition and thanked the Council and the Oswego leadership team. He reflected on his time as a member of the College Council and said, “It’s been a point of pride for me to serve Oswego in this capacity. As an alumnus, this is one of the more meaningful ways for me to give back to the institution I love. I remain committed to the mission and wish this team and the greater school community the best going forward as it continues to help students begin their journeys, fulfill their dreams, and positively improve their lives.”
Motion to adjourn was made by McMahon and approved by all at 3:07 p.m.