College Council Meeting Minutes: February 2, 2024
COLLEGE COUNCIL
Virtual via Zoom
February 2, 2024
PRESENT: Judith Hunter
Gidget Hopf
Holly Salatel
Robert Wayland-Smith, Chair
Jill Yonkers
STAFF: Denise Battles, President
Dan Blankenship, Interim Provost
Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Rob Doggett, College Senate Chair
Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
Ellen Leverich, Vice President for College Advancement
Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
robbie routenberg, Chief Diversity Officer
Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management (via zoom)
Michael Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life
GUESTS: Christopher Smith, Assistant Vice President for College Advancement
Keith Walters ’11, Director of College Advancement Communications
Scott Giorgis, Professor and Chair of Geological Sciences
Paul Peterman ’80, Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors Member
Ronna Gillam, Director of Campus Relations
Tracy Young Gagnier ’93, Senior Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Jillian DiSalvo ’24, Student
Matthew McGowan ’26, Student
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
The minutes of the December 1, 2023 meeting were approved.
CABINET/FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENT PRESENTATION
Opportunities Rising – Geneseo For Generations
Christopher Smith, Assistant Vice President for College Advancement
Keith Walters ’11, Director of College Advancement Communications
Scott Giorgis, Professor and Chair of Geological Sciences
Paul Peterman ’80, Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors Member
Ronna Gillam, Director of Campus Relations
Tracy Young Gagnier ’93, Senior Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Jillian DiSalvo ’24, UAA Co-President
Matthew McGowan ’26, UAA Co-Vice President
Smith offered an overview of recent events and activities related to the launch of the public phase of the Opportunities Rising campaign. We are 78% of the way to our fundraising goal.
Walters presented the campaign video and highlighted the three pillars of the campaign. The campaign website, www.geneseorising.com, is the official campaign site, and the alumni newsletter has been rebranded as Geneseo on the Rise.
Gagnier, DiSalvo, and McGowan provided an overview of the efforts to engage students in the campaign and other advancement initiatives. The Undergraduate Alumni Association (UAA) seeks to provide programming for the student body and establish a foundation for life-long engagement with the college. Activities include: traditions challenge, class pride project, and e-yearbook. The UAA has received regional and national recognition for their programs.
Knights Philanthropic Council (KPC) is a student organization focused on growing a culture of giving. An upcoming event is March Matchness, a basketball-themed fundraiser. The KPC also facilitates Tag Day, gratitude days, and the scholarship brunch among other activities.
The Office of Alumni Relations has established an alumni career advisor network and a “how to become an alum” website. Additionally, a range of affinity programs attract subsets of the alumni body to engage with their respective cohorts.
Peterman shared a brief overview of efforts of the Foundation Board and the Culture of Philanthropy Pod.
Gillam facilitated a Q&A with Peterman and Giorgis focused on the collaborative and supportive relationship between the Foundation Board and faculty.
Presenters invited Council members to participate in a word cloud activity.
The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION REPORT
Battles distributed the Student Association (SA) on behalf of Ryan Frangipani. SA is finalizing plans for a spring concert. Board vacancies have been successfully filled and is preparing for the election of next year’s officers. Frangipani attended the Foundation campaign event in NYC.
COLLEGE SENATE REPORT
Senate Chair Rob Doggett reports that the Senate is working with the interim dean of arts and sciences on changes to the constitution that are needed due to the creation of the new arts and sciences school. Senate is collaborating with the President to host two communications and engagements sessions for faculty and staff, the first of which is February 8. Doggett shared enthusiasm that the faculty have for the Chancellor’s public remarks about Geneseo’s academic excellence.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.
Academic Affairs Leadership Recruitment
President Battles announced the hiring of Dr. Mary Toale as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs who will join us on March 28, as well as the appointment of Amy Sheldon ’90 as Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences.
Strategic Planning update
President Battles updated Council members on progress toward advancing the strategic plan. We continue to advance our vision to become an equity-centered honors college. Work continues on ECHC-related definitions and concepts. Spring 2024 activities will focus on professional development and other resources aimed at fostering the effective application of the ECHC lens.
Enrollment and Financial update
President Battles discussed the current higher education environment related to enrollment and financial stability to provide context to SUNY and Geneseo’s realities. SUNY issued their long-term plan and Geneseo is working in alignment with those goals. The governor has put forth her budget proposal and SUNY and Geneseo advocacy efforts are underway. Modelling continues to call for the drawing down of current reserves and a period of borrowing, but progress has been made relative to prior projections. The enrollment division is reporting success across most metrics related to admissions and yield events will be held throughout the spring semester.
Accolades
Battles highlighted a few of the many recent faculty, staff, student, and alumni achievements, awards, and recognitions.
The President entertained Q&A from College Council.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Chair opened the floor to any additional questions.
Chair reminded attendees that the next meeting is April 12, 2024. Graduation is May 18, 2024 at 9am and 2pm. Be on the lookout for the annual feedback survey. Results will be reviewed at the April meeting. Chair encouraged Council members to consider making a gift to the Opportunities Rising campaign.
The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Denise A. Battles Wendi Kinney
President Recording Secretary