Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Hewitt Ballroom and via Zoom video conference
Attendees
College Council Members Present:
- In-Person: James McMahon, Richard Farfaglia, Oghenetega Adjoh, Christine Patrick
- On Zoom: Brian McGrath, Darlene Baker, Tara Fitzgibbons (left at 2:30 pm), Kristin Shanley-Graves
- Absent: Carol Bradlinski-Watros
Cabinet Present:
- In-Person: Peter Nwosu, Jamal Coleman, Kristi Eck, Scott Furlong, Vicki Furlong, Kendra Cadogan, Kathleen Kerr, Murat Yasar, Karen Crowe, Heath Wood
- On Zoom: Cory Bezek
Agenda
-
Welcome and call to order - James McMahon, University Council Chair
- Call to order time 1:45 pm by James McMahon
-
Approval of Minutes of June 5, 2025 - James McMahon, University Council Chair
- A motion to lead the approval of the minutes - James McMahon
- Second the motion - Christine Patrick
- All in favor
- Minutes are approved
-
New Business - James McMahon, University Council Chair
- Resolution in Honor of Howard Gordon
- Kristi Eck read the resolution
- A motion to pass the resolution - James McMahon
- Second the motion - Christine Patrick
- The resolution is approved
-
Student Association Report - Oghenetega Adjoh
Here is a brief summary of the discussion during the meeting.
- Went through the Slide Presentation
- Strengthen SA's Foundation
Objective: Pass and implement a Student Association (SA) fee increase by the end of the academic year.
- Increase Engagement & Visibility
Objective: Grow student participation by 20% each semester through SA-hosted events and programming.
- Reinvent for the Future
Objective: Develop and deliver a 2-year strategic plan for the Student Association before the end of the year.
- Promote Inclusion & Belonging
Objective: Provide programming that reflects the diversity of the campus community and fosters a sense of belonging for all students.
-
Alumni Report - Jennifer Janes
Here is a brief summary of the discussion during the meeting.
- Went through the Slide Presentation
- Commencement Eve Celebration
- 200+ attendees at Celebratory Reception
- 650+ attendees at Torchlight Ceremony
- "Meet the Deans" Alumni Reception in NYC
- 25+ attendees at SUNY College of Optometry
- Reunion Weekend 2025
- 800+ alumni and friends in Oswego
- Welcoming Torchlight Ceremony
- 1,000+ student and faculty/staff attendees
- Athletic Hall of Fame: Oct. 4
- 3 alumni athlete inductees
- First-ever team induction
- Hewitt Hall Celebration: Oct. 23-25
- Dr. Lewis B. O'Donnell Media Summit
- Ribbon Cutting and Opening Reception
- Alumni Award presentations
- Communication, Media and the Arts Open Houses
- Communication, Media and the Arts Alumni Dinner
- Oswego Alumni Podcast
- New episode features Cruz Alvarado '12
- OSWEGO Alumni Magazine
- Next issue coming late Fall 2025
- "Transformation" theme
-
Faculty Report - Gwen Kay
Here is a brief summary of the discussion during the meeting.
- Went through the Slide Presentation
- Staffing Committees: This year, we are working to fully staff our committees that are working on things, and we have a lot of curriculum development that needs to happen. The Undergraduate Curriculum Council has already approved 4 new courses. The Graduate Council has already approved 5 new courses.
- Curriculum Development
- Undergraduate Curriculum Council: 4 new courses
- Graduate Council: 5 new courses
- Academic Policies
- Approve Bylaws changes, General Faculty meeting
- Approve graduates, May and December 2025 graduations
- Accept Civic Engagement Task Force Report
-
President's Report - Peter O. Nwosu
Here is a brief summary of the discussion during the meeting.
- Went through the Slide Presentation
- Strategic Plan Implementation Update: The implementation of the strategic plan officially began following its unveiling last spring. Subsequently, campus stakeholders were asked to initiate the development of their respective divisional plans in alignment with the overall strategy.
- Strategic Plan Development and National Engagement: AASCU (American Association of State Colleges and Universities) supported the development of the university's strategic plan, which engaged multiple stakeholders from across campus as well as external partners. The university was one of five campuses selected by AASCU, an advocacy organization representing 520 regional public universities nationwide to participate in a national conversation on post-secondary value.
- Strategic Drivers conversation: Grow, Connect and Thrive
- Academic Program Development and Curriculum Modernization: In the "Growth" section of the strategic plan, specifically Area 2, initiatives include the development, realignment, and modernization of academic programs and micro-credentials, as well as the enhancement of sponsored research. These efforts are currently underway, with active discussions taking place around curriculum modernization. This work is informed by the academic portfolio optimization study conducted by Hanover Research.
- Academic Momentum Initiative - Timeline and Leadership: The Academic Momentum initiative has officially launched, with implementation efforts currently in progress. A campus-wide Implementation Committee, established by the Provost, is leading the initiative. This committee is responsible for guiding the rollout, coordinating efforts across divisions, and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
- A discussion on Just in time scholarships and the need.
- Vicki Furlong Presented:
Student Financial Outreach - Fall Graduation 2025: The university is proactively reviewing student financial data much earlier than in previous terms. Current data identifies 78 students who are on track to graduate in December 2025 but have outstanding account balances totaling approximately $210,000. Outreach efforts have already begun to connect with these students and explore support options. Students remain eligible for financial aid or payment plans, and staff are encouraging them to engage with financial services to resolve outstanding balances. The goal is to prevent these students from graduating with unresolved debt that could result in their accounts being sent to collections or referred to the Attorney General's Office. Emphasis was placed on supporting students' successful completion without financial encumbrances as they transition beyond the university.
- A quick breakdown of US News and Report College Rankings
- Karen Crowe Presented:
Branding Highlights:
- Strengthening SUNY Oswego's presence in the region through sponsorships, media partnerships, and high-visibility billboard placements.
- Advancing university rebrand: message development in progress; visual identity phase launching this month.
- Driving spring and fall enrollment with targeted campaigns that showcase in-demand programs, low student debt, and proven job outcomes.
- Launched multi-platform outreach to adult learners in collaboration with Extended Learning.
- Digital ad impressions reached 275M in 2024-25 (up from 82M prior year).
- Campaign-driven website visits reached 235K (37% year-over-year increase).
- Instagram engagement - 8.8% -- well above industry standard of 5%.
- Canva Team launched - empowering campus partners to create on-brand materials.
-
Old Business
N/A
-
Adjournment - James McMahon, University Council Chair
- Motion to adjourn - James McMahon
- Second the motion - Richard Farfaglia
- All in favor
- 2:38 pm meeting adjourned
-
Tour of Hewitt Hall by Mitch Fields, Associate Vice President, Facilities Services
- Christine Patrick and Richard Farfaglia went on the tour.