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