College Council Minutes of Oct. 17, 2014

Audio recording of the meeting available on iTunes U

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO
College Council Meeting
October 17, 2014
Room 114, Marano Campus Center  

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

Ms. Deborah F. Stanley, President
Dr. Jerald Woolfolk, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Mr. Howard Gordon, Executive Assistant to the President
Ms. Kristi Eck, Chief of Staff
Ms. Pamela Caraccioli, Deputy to the President for External Partnerships and Economic Development
Ms. Ellen McCloskey, Assistant to the President
Ms. Joan Carroll, Faculty Assembly Chair
Ms. Julie Harrison Blissert, Director of Public Affairs and College Council Recorder 

1.  The chair called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. in Room 114 of Marano Campus Center.  

2.  The minutes of June 6, 2014, were unanimously approved.  

3.  2013-14 SUNY Oswego College Council Annual Report
Ms. Baker moved and Mr. Goldych seconded approval of the following resolution and approval was unanimous.  
Whereas, Article 8, Section 356 of the New York State Education Law details the powers and duties of Councils of state-operated institutions; and
Whereas, among the duties of Councils of state-operated institutions, as specified in item "i," Article 8, Section 356 of the New York State Education Law, is that each Council make an annual report to State University of New York Trustees on or before September first of each year; and
Whereas, the SUNY Oswego College Council has prepared its annual report for the year ending June 30, 2014; and
Whereas, The SUNY Oswego College Council has reviewed and voted to accept the annual report to the SUNY Board of Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved: Pursuant to and in accordance with Article 8, Section 356 of the New York State Education Law, the SUNY Oswego College Council submits the attached annual report to the State University of New York Board of Trustees on October 17, 2014.    

4.  President's Remarks 
President Stanley thanked Mr. Sholtes for his efforts in getting students to turn out early and late for the events of October 16, which were largely student run. She reported on campaign progress as it enters the public phase, with a goal of $40 million by June 2016, and on growth in the endowment, which has beat all indicators for college endowments, thanks to the expertise of the Oswego College Foundation board. Amended sentence: President Stanley was invited to represent SUNY campuses and speak at the governor's event announcing initiatives to combat sexual assault. She also reported on the installation of the permaculture garden; and $1.8 million in new outdoor and indoor signage. Discussion touched on Steve Levy's gift and results of the 24-hour challenge, student involvement and the future benefits to come from the launch events, the emphasis on student learning and growth while advancing development, and an article on Thoreau studies at SUNY Geneseo.  

5.   Rave Guardian App Update
Mr. Lyons introduced Brian Clyne of University Police and the college's security management team, who made a presentation on Oswego Guardian, a Rave Guardian product. Discussion concerned the security of photos in the system, Coast Guard integration, app platforms, why would anyone use the phone app given 911 and texting, cost to the college, marketing to parents and to students in Student Senate and classes, and usage data on blue-light phones.  

6.   Title IX - Sexual Harassment
Mr. Gordon introduced Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Lisa Evaneski who made a presentation on Title IX - sex discrimination and, in particular, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Discussion involved student conduct panels vs. law enforcement involvement, the Clery Act's definition of campus, incidents during spring break, integrating with relevant academic programs, the definition of consent, orientation presentations, and composition of student conduct panels and specialized training for those members.  

7.   Renewable Energy
Mr. Lyons introduced Mitch Fields of Facilities Services and Mike Lotito, sustainability coordinator in that office. Mr. Lotito reported on the college's sustainability initiatives and programs, including the Climate Action Plan and sustainability roadmap leading to the goal of becoming carbon neutral under the Presidents' Climate Commitment. He explained that using renewable energy -- including solar energy arrays, a geothermal system, and a new wind turbine -- is one step in these larger programs. Mr. Lyons added that the college committed to build new structures at least to the standards of Silver LEED status and that the geothermal system was not cost effective but shows leadership as a demonstration project. Discussion included the environmental impact of the planned wind turbine, 12 percent reduction in carbon footprint since in 2007, how much electricity the college uses, energy purchasing in bulk, underwriting for energy projects, student input via the Environmental Sustainability Team, the sustainability fee for students that funds interns and student-benefiting projects, carbon offsets, the sustainability minor, using Lake Ontario for cooling, German initiatives, and the recent SUNY Sustainability Conference hosted by SUNY Oswego.  

8.   Student Association Report 
Mr. Sholtes reported on: the permaculture project and its integration with academic programs (he is one of five students working in the sustainability office); the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and diversity training; owning the end-of-year celebration and organizing an alternative event to the Bridge Street Run; hosting SUNY Student Assembly in November; streamlining Student Senate meetings; and the "It's On Us" campus campaign. Discussion touched on the possibility of an online project on local history, populations covered by diversity training, diversity at the October 16 events, the possibility of inviting Senator Gillibrand to speak, praise for two students from Oswego accepted among five to attend SUNYCon 2014, student voter registration, an election party planned for November 4, the Lakers at the Frozen Dome Classic on November 22, and the need to educate media students to pursue subjects in depth.  

9.   Faculty Report 
Ms. Carroll reported that Dr. Gwen Kay was elected vice president/ secretary in the University Faculty Senate and that Oswego became authorized for a second senator; and on the Faculty Assembly executive board retreat, to become annual; a task force to look at undergraduate teaching assistants; a search committee to find a replacement for Dean Fritz Messere; curricular revisions; planning for a new degree in biotechnical health informatics; working more with student affairs; professional development workshops; and reconsidering guiding principles for academic calendars. Discussion covered communications about curricular revisions and first aid training.  

10.  Old Business
Mr. McGrath reported that a review of the student code of conduct is ongoing with Mr. Gordon and Dr. Woolfolk, who will report back at a future meeting.  

11.  New Business
The chair noted that the next meeting is scheduled for November 14.  The chair appointed Mr. Sluzar to chair an effort in support of a development at the industrial park where the SUNY Oswego Phoenix Center is located.  Mr. Goldych moved to commend Dr. Kay on her Faculty Senate post, Ms. Baker seconded and approval was unanimous.  Topics proposed for future meetings included veterans' issues, the athletics program and community use of facilities, and community outreach and community relations.  Mr. Goldych moved that the chair send a letter to Mr. Sholtes and the executive board commending them for the Media Summit, Mr. Farfaglia seconded and approval was unanimous.  

The meeting adjourned at noon.