State of college addressed at all college meeting
Anthony O’Connell
News Editor
The semi-annual All College Meeting delivered by President Andrew Matonak took place on Feb. 6 in Maureen Stapleton theater and via live-stream on the college website.
Remarks from student senate president, Emma Dillon, president of the faculty association, Gregory Sausville and Academic Senate member, Rosemary Schultz began the event.
“We have a mission [to find new goals and objectives]. If you don’t like [the direction we’re heading], you can help change [it] so that together we can become the college we want to be,” said Schultz.
President Matonak began his speech with an update on his retirement which was announced for Aug. 2018. Typically, the search for a new president lasts about one year. The board is aiming for May-June 2018 to introduce the new president.
The search for new vice-presidents of administration and finance are also ongoing. Current vice-president for finance, Joel Fatato announced his retirement for March, as well as current vice-president of administration James LaGatta’s who hasn’t released a specific retirement date.
The college has engaged professional search firm Isaacson, Miller to examine the résumés of prospective candidates.
Executive director of the Faculty Student Association, Ann Carrozza is also on the list of 2017 retirements.
Under Carrozza’s leadership, the construction of campus’ daycare center, parking garage, completion of the Outdoor Athletic Complex, renovation of Fitzgibbons Health Technologies Center and the campus’ partnership with Mazzone Hospitality have taken place.
Alycia Courter, associate director of the FSA, will be promoted to executive director following Carrozza’s retirement. Courter has been with the FSA for 20 years.
The college received full approval to launch a new degree in cybersecurity for Fall 2017. This will be an associate’s science degree program designed for students who want to transfer to a related bachelor degree program.
The board of trustees approved a new degree and certificate program for community health navigation, to support the growing demand for trained professionals to assist patients in understanding health care. The program is still waiting for final SUNY and state-ed department approval, but is anticipated to arrive by Fall 2017.
Further key points discussed include a comprehensive transfer agreement with the University of Albany, information technology services enhancements, a website development and redesign project and reconnection to national grid in order to prevent power related issues.
More info on the president’s All College Meeting can be found on the college website and the Campus Chronicle.