University Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, September 26, 2024

Thursday, September 26, 2024
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm, MCC Room 114 and via Zoom video conference

Attendance

College Council Members Present

In-person: James McMahon, Richard Farfaglia, Tara Fitzgibbons, Christine Patrick, Carol Bradlinski-Watros, Kristin Shanley-Graves

On Zoom: Darlene Baker, Brian McGrath

Absent: None listed

Cabinet Present

In-person: Jamal Coleman, Kristi Eck, Scott Furlong, Vicki Furlong, Peter Nwosu, Kendra Cadogan, Kathleen Kerr, Cory Bezek

On Zoom: None listed

Absent: Mary Canale (attended Foundation meeting; stopped by briefly to receive resolution)

Invited Guests Present

In-person: Debbie Furlong, Mitch Fields, Gwen Kay, Jennifer Janes, Aiden Wilson

On Zoom: Not listed

Additional Attendees

On Zoom: Zachary Vichery

Minutes

1. Welcome and Call to Order - James McMahon, College Council Chair

  • Called to order at 2:13 pm

2. Approval of Minutes of July 29, 2024

  • Motion to accept minutes
  • Seconded
  • All in favor

3. Student Association Report – Aiden Wilson

  • See slides
  • Laker Life platform gaining traction among students
  • Contingency fund increased from $10,000 to $12,500 due to student demand
  • 14 senators confirmed
  • Upcoming events: Ozfest, Entrepreneurship Fair, President’s Table

4. Alumni Report – Jennifer Janes

  • See slides
  • Annual Torchlight Ceremony held
  • Founders Weekend and Presidential Inauguration underway
  • 1861 Giving Challenge: If 861 gifts received, donor will contribute $70,000
  • ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) mentorship program promoted
  • Class of 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame set for October 12
  • Next Oswego Alumni Magazine to mail in late September

5. Faculty Report – Gwen Kay

  • See slides
  • Haudenosaunee Recommendations presented
  • Discussion on HyFlex Policy and breakdown of meaning
  • Course approvals and departmental changes
  • Three new courses approved for presidential review
  • Kendra Cadogan provided update on Haudenosaunee Task Force cabinet role

6. President’s Report – Peter O. Nwosu

  • See slides
  • President welcomed attendees and reflected on summer 1:1 meetings
  • Campus Climate:
    • Kathleen Kerr: New free speech landing page created with updated policies (Sept 2024)
    • Scott Furlong: Civic engagement efforts include both curricular and co-curricular activities in anticipation of upcoming presidential election
  • Strategic Engagements:
    • Leading Oswego County Micron Strategies Hearing Committee (85 organizations)
    • Micron headquarters established near SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse Campus
  • Enrollment:
    • FAFSA submissions up 5.6% YoY for first-year students
    • Underrepresented minority first-year students up 15%
    • ~1/3 of incoming students did not select Oswego as first choice
    • New “Academic Care Team” initiative to support student retention
  • Retention Update – Scott Furlong:
    • Need to assess and focus on most impactful interventions
    • Living Learning Communities may be key
  • Budget Update – Vicki Furlong:
    • Preliminary enrollment survey shown in slides
    • Ranked among Regional Universities North; 2/3 of peer institutions are private
  • Facilities Update – Mitch Fields:
    • Construction: Hewitt Hall $80M, Laker Hall Roof $6.5M, Pathfinder Dining Hall $0.75M
  • Branding Discussion – Karen Crowe:
    • Hanover Research contracted for brand analysis
    • Pursuing full rebrand with consistent visual identity
    • Brian McGrath questioned $300,000 budget adequacy
  • Resolution Presented to Mary Canale:
    • Kristi Eck read resolution
    • Motion: Tara Fitzgibbons
    • Seconded: Richard Farfaglia
    • All in favor
  • Strategic Plan – Scott Furlong:
    • Vision 4040 launched in Fall 2024; steering committee created
    • Five-year living document in development
    • Dedicated website to be created
  • Strategic Fundraising Priorities:
    • Draft document in development aligned with strategic plan and Vision 4040
  • College Council Annual Report – Jim McMahon

7. Old Business

  • N/A

8. New Business

  • N/A

9. Adjournment – James McMahon, College Council Chair

  • Motion to adjourn – Dick Farfaglia
  • Seconded – Tara Fitzgibbons
  • All in favor
  • Meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm