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