May 2017, Message to all Faculty and Staff

May, 2017

My first academic year at Farmingdale State College is coming to a close. It's been a great experience and, like so many of you, I am very proud and happy to be working here. In a later publication I will provide an overview of the past year. For now, I'll use this monthly update to inform you about some recent developments, issues and topics affecting the College.

Cabinet Positions - We have successfully concluded the search for two key cabinet positions.

Our new Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement is Nancy Connors. As you may have seen in our message to the campus, Nancy has an extensive background in fundraising on Long Island. She will begin around June 5.

Our new Vice President for Administration and Finance and CFO is Greg O'Connor. Greg comes to us from the SUNY Research Foundation and has a substantial knowledge of the campus as a member of the BHBP Board.

We tried very hard to make the search process an inclusive one. We received written or survey responses from representatives from various parts of the campus. Thanks to the search committees and those involved for assisting in concluding these two important searches.

Major Grants - FSC was awarded the OASAS drug and alcohol prevention/reduction grant, to help prevent and reduce underage drinking and drug use. The funding will support the development of campus community coalitions and foster community partnerships to help strengthen local prevention efforts. Thanks to Frank Rampello for his work on this. Beverly Kahn, Dawn Grzan and Kevin Murphy assisted during the conceptual phase of this project. Each college selected can receive up to $125,000 annually for five years. The programs aim to reduce alcohol and drug access and availability on campus and in the surrounding community, to change attitudes that support college underage drinking and drug use.

Sad News - We've recently been saddened to learn of the death of two of our students. These occurred in a single week. These tragic experiences, however, showed how our staff and faculty come together to assist during these tragedies. In one case, we were able to award the student an associate degree. The diploma has been provided to the family and they are deeply appreciative. Thanks to all who provided support and assistance to others during these tragedies.

New Faculty Lines - Provost Laura Joseph advised the cabinet that we have filled fourteen new faculty lines for the 2017-18 academic year. Adding full-time faculty is a vital institutional priority and is integral to further strengthening the institution. Thanks to all who served on these search committees.

Buildings, Grounds and Facilities - As you may know, we have a very ambitious schedule of work planned for this summer. Thanks to John Dzinanka, Jack Petrich and Erika Wachter for making presentations both at the FEC and Administrative Council meetings. Here's a brief summary of the work planned: Parking Lots and walkways, including a walkway to Route 110; Phase I of the Great Mall project which will include areas behind the Campus Center and adjoining Conklin Hall; the women's softball facility; creating the Nexus Center for internships, applied learning and career services, a renovation of Books & Beans to provide a more robust food venue; work on the second and third floors of Greenley; added classrooms in Gleeson. In addition, we hope to make some improvements to the Little Theatre in Roosevelt and to the Great Room in Ward Hall. These projects, along with the Conklin Hall issues and the Melville Road project have posed some very big challenges for Physical Plant and Capital Construction. I appreciate the effort they have dedicated to overseeing these many projects while tending to the day to day work of the campus.

Excelsior Scholarship - Institutional Advancement, Enrollment and Admissions Planning and Student Financial Services have been ahead of many other colleges in dealing with all of the implications of the Excelsior Scholarship. It does appear that many of our students may be eligible. We have also regularly posted and updated information about the Scholarship on the homepage. In fact, few SUNY campuses have given Excelsior a comparable level of attention and promotion. Although the application for the Scholarship is expected to be available this month, there are still multiple questions about its administration and implementation.

The adoption of the SUNY budget allows campuses to seek a tuition increase of up to $200. However, it is important to note that this increase can only be applied to students who are not eligible for the Excelsior program and does not apply to students receiving a full TAP award. In fact, the tuition of these students is now frozen for up to four years. Therefore, the College will not receive added revenue from a substantial portion of our student population.

Commencement - I hope you can join us for our upcoming commencement exercises on May 20. We will have an honorary degree recipient at both the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Awards, Honors, Conferences and Recognition Events - Over the past month, I have had the honor of attending many, many campus celebrations and conferences. Each of these speaks to the remarkable work of our faculty and staff. The honor society inductions, student presentations, poster sessions, academic awards, and scholarship ceremonies and conferences are invariably impressive. Thanks to all of you who've helped organize these events. Each reflects the mission of a college focused on student success.

Closing the Loop - The end of the academic year provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievement of goals, areas in need of improvement and options for the future. After the conclusion of the semester, I will provide an update that reviews the past academic year. This will touch on the many advances that have been made in 2016-17 and areas in which there was less success, or where much remains to be done.

Enjoy the remainder of the semester.

-John

Last Modified 2/18/21