Activities Update

It’s been about two-three weeks since I sent out an information update, and I deliberately didn’t last week because of my remarks to you on Thursday’s Assembly Day, so I wanted to let you know of some of the activities with which I have been involved recently.

The beginning of an academic year, for all of us, is always an exciting time in part because it represents – no matter what the events of a previous year – a new chapter, a fresh start. I’ve enjoyed that feeling again as the semester has started this week. In any case, here are some of the things I’ve been involved with over the past couple (or thereabouts) of weeks:

Media Relations / Welcomes / Speaking / Other.

A. During the past two weeks I’ve met with two reporters doing stories in the College’s Significance magazine, a legislative assistant to Senator Schumer about opportunities the Senator’s Office might be able to assist the College with, completed two televisions interviews regarding my comments on the opening Assembly Day, completed two television interviews regarding the College’s opening day of classes, and attended a “networking” meeting of a Small Business Chamber of Commerce group at the Events Center of Binghamton University.

B. In addition, I made a speech presentation about the College, its offerings, and value to our communities to the Breakfast Rotary Club of Binghamton, and offered welcomes to our new and returning international students.

C. Finally, of course, the opening Assembly Day gave me an opportunity to describe

what I see as the fundamental challenges facing Broome Community College and how I plan to address those challenges during this interim year.

Media Relations / Welcomes / Speaking / Other.

As I mentioned during last Thursday’s remarks, I recently met with the Chair of the College Council to encourage the group this year to explore and ultimately present recommendations concerning a four-day course scheduling and College workweek; many institutions are exploring these alternatives, and BCC probably needs to have in place a four-day option in the event a new Administration elects to pursue such an alternative.

In addition, I recently met with the Co-Chairs of the Sustainability Committee to learn more about what they see as my role with the committee and what particular issues the committee may be dealing with during the 2008-09 academic year.

I also last week attended the first meeting of the year of the Middle States Committee (generally I hope to be able to attend other meetings of the group) as well as a meeting with the sub-committee chair who is providing the leadership for an examination of Standard 4 (Governance).

Work with Local / State Political Leaders regarding College Issues.

With the concerns recently of possible mid-year community college budget cuts, I sent letters to our legislative delegation to remind them of the economic, social, and educational value of our community colleges and to encourage their support in protecting our funding. Fortunately, the base State aid rate per full-time community college student was not reduced, although categorical aid (rent aid, child care aid, etc.) was cut by 6% (in BCC’s case, the reductions total less than $10,000 this year). In addition, I followed up with thank you letters for the support of our State legislative delegation.

I also met with the County Executive to discuss College funding generally, capital projects that are included in the Master Plan, what I am “reading” as the Trustees’ position on the Alms House, and to obtain some advice about my subsequent remarks to the County Legislature. I found her understanding of the issues facing the College to be very accurate and her willingness to be as fiscally supportive as she perceives it is possible for Broome County to be on BCC capital projects to be notable.

Later that day, I had an opportunity to speak to and share information with members of the County Legislature about Broome Community College. I found their level of philosophical support for the College to be very strong. They are very proud of this College. I have been asked to develop a list of capital project funding priorities – recognizing, of course, that all our New York counties themselves are also suffering because of State funding cutbacks. Still, I found their attitude toward the College and its needed capital projects to be extremely positive. I specifically mentioned and described to them what I see as the four fundamental challenges facing the College right now: an Alms House decision and resolution, needed campus capital projects, student dormitory-style housing, and labor relations. I look forward to speaking and working with them again at a later date.

Early this week, Grant Newton and I met with the Town of Dickinson Supervisor and Town Attorney about the topic of student dormitory housing. Our purpose was to discuss United Development’s progress to date, to explore issues that will have to be faced, and to communicate our willingness to identify solutions which are beneficial not only for the College and its students but neighborhood residents as well. Having had some experience with the development of student housing at a former institution, one of my goals throughout this process is to keep the Town well – and fully-informed throughout all stages.

Yesterday Grant Newton, Rick Armstrong, and I met with the Broome County Commissioner of Planning to discuss College capital projects, and specifically the listed order of preference for the projects as currently identified in the College’s Master Plan. We are reviewing these proposed projects in terms of levels of State funding currently available for BCC projects, the ability of the Local Sponsor to fund or bond its local share for the projects, as well as whether the preferred and “easier” order of the projects is to complete building rehabilitations/refurbishments or construction of a new facility first. It is my intention ultimately to bring to the Trustees recommendations concerning the order and funding of some of the projects in the Master Plan, possibly as soon as October.

Earlier this week Rich David and I met with Senator Libous’s Chief of Staff as well as the Executive Vice President of Operations for the Binghamton Senators hockey team. The team would like to use occasionally the College Ice Rink for some practices, and the Senator’s Office is trying to facilitate such an arrangement in order that all parties benefit. We are currently working on an schedule whereby the facility could be used in such a flexible manner by the Senators but also not interfere with the institution’s own academic and community service missions and uses of the Ice Rink.

State Meeting.

Two weeks ago I attended the meetings of the sixty-four SUNY campus Presidents. Most discussion focused on the proposed Paterson budget cuts, the Legislature’s anticipated response, and the funding prospects for the 2009-10 State budget year.

On Wednesday of this week I was required to be in Albany for “re-meeting” the SUNY Acting Chancellor, the Provost for Academic Affairs, and the Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges (even though I knew them form my previous Presidency). This is just a “courtesy requirement” that has to precede my officially being appointed as the BCC Interim President at the September 16 SUNY Board of Trustees meeting in New York City.