College Council Meeting Minutes: April 12, 2024
COLLEGE COUNCIL
Virtual via Zoom
April 12, 2024
PRESENT: Judith Hunter
Gidget Hopf
Robert Wayland-Smith, Chair
Christian Valentino
Jill Yonkers
STAFF: Denise Battles, President
Julie Buehler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Kerri Howell, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Wendi Kinney, Chief of Staff
Christie Reed, Administrative Assistant to the President
Michael Taberski, Vice President for Student and Campus Life
Mary Toale, Provost
GUESTS: Jaime Castillo, Director of Counseling
Karen Mach, Executive Director of Health and Counseling
Rachel Radovich-Chu, Clinical Case Management & Campus CARE Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Wayland-Smith called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m.
President Battles was to share a reflection on our late councilmember Rev. Dr. Iris Banister. Attendees observed a moment of silence.
The minutes of the February 2, 2024 meeting were approved.
CABINET/FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENT PRESENTATION
Supporting Student Mental Health at Geneseo
Michael Taberski, VP for Student & Campus Life
Karen Mach, Executive Director of Health and Counseling
Jaime Castillo, Director of Counseling
Rachel Radovich-Chu, Clinical Case Management & Campus CARE Coordinator
Presenters offered an overview of how Health and Counseling support student mental health.
The Counseling Services Team is comprised of 11 professional staff members. Additionally, the office hosts five masters/doctoral level trainees in partnership with the University of Rochester.
National data shows that Geneseo has more clinical capacity than many of our peers. Counseling Services provides a stepped care model ranging from self-care to crisis services. Approximately 14% of Geneseo students utilize counseling services on campus. Service utilization data show that counseling services are utilized at a higher rate by non-white students than white students.
Results from a 2023 survey of students who utilized counseling services was shared. Feedback was strongly positive. HERF Funding enabled the College to renovate and refurbish several spaces. Other improvements include: implementation of a stepped care model; training program reboot; reorganization of urgent care/walk-in crisis sessions; creation of clinical case management; increased group therapy offerings; and increased campus engagement offerings. Additional activities, resources, and professional develop opportunities have been supported through SUNY incremental funding.
Radovich-Chu outlined the new programs and services being provided by her newly created role at the College as Clinical Case Manager. An overview of how referrals to the CARES Team are triaged and addressed was reviewed.
The presenters entertained Q&A from College Council.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION REPORT
Taberski shared the Student Association (SA) on behalf of Ryan Frangipani. SpringFest will be held on May 4 and feature performances by The Driver Era and Sean Kingston. SA elections were held. Orquidea Geraldino has been elected SA President. Other upcoming activities and events were highlighted.
COLLEGE SENATE REPORT
Battles distributed the College Senate report on behalf of Senate Chair Rob Doggett. Senate is co-hosting another Communication and Engagement Session along with the President and Provost. Doggett attended the SUNY University Faculty Senate spring meeting. The SUNY budget and resulting potential impacts on Geneseo are top of mind for many employees. Senate recently passed a resolution encouraging teaching faculty to include a basic needs statement on their course syllabi and departments to include such on their departmental webpages.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Battles shared a variety of institutional updates.
Academic Affairs Leadership Recruitment
President Battles welcomed Dr. Mary Toale as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
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. A framework that addresses ECHC-related definitions and concepts has been shared with the campus community and we have launched our New York’s Public Honors College tagline and visual brand enhancements. The Strategic Planning Group and Budget Priorities Committee is providing guidance to the College’s Program Analysis and Alignment work.
Enrollment Update
Data related to our enrollment efforts were shared.
Financial Update
Budget advocacy continues apace. The College remains focused on financial sustainability strategies. Modeling continues to call for use of our current reserves and a period of borrowing. Geneseo was successful in securing $500K in new funding for technology and security infrastructure through FY24 Congressional appropriations.
Campus Construction
Various construction projects continue. College Circle, Brodie Hall Café, and Milne Library are scheduled for completion by calendar year’s end.
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 invited Toale to introduce herself and offer her first impressions of the Geneseo campus community.
Battles highlighted our interest in continuing the annual feedback survey and encouraged council members to offer their comments.
The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.
Denise A. Battles Wendi Kinney
President Recording Secretary