SUNY Fredonia General Campus Meeting
Remarks by President Dennis L. Hefner
Friday, January 23, 2009
Good morning, and welcome back for the start of the spring semester. I hope the break gave you a chance to visit with family and friends. Jan and I joined our three grandchildren and their parents for several days in Orlando. While visiting the Animal Kingdom Park, 5-year-old grandson Callahan insisted that he and I ride on the new Mt. Everest roller coaster together. As the coaster reached the top of the mountain, it started slowing down and I began asking myself "it's not going to go backwards, is it?" Well, it went backwards very fast. Fortunately, Callahan loved it.
Roller coasters do remind me of what has been happening in our nation, with two wars and such economic volatility. It's no wonder there is such a thirst for change. I can remember only one other presidential inauguration that was greeted with as much excitement and enthusiasm, and that was for John F. Kennedy. Even President Obama's message about it taking all of us to make change happen was reminiscent of JFK's "Don't ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
Monday of this week I attended the Dunkirk NAACP's Martin Luther King, Jr. luncheon, and couldn't help but reflect on the fact that part of Dr. King's dream would become a national reality the next day, as this nation inaugurated a president who was elected on the basis of his skill and intellect, not the color of his skin. And even though our society still has a ways to go, we can all be proud of how far this nation has come. What a remarkable week this has been!
Closer to home, there was one remarkable local event just before the holiday break--the reopening of the Azteca Mexican restaurant!
Intersession was memorable with J-Term enrollments growing by 28.7 percent and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine again highly ranking SUNY Fredonia on its "Best Buys" in higher education list. With a resignation by one of the two directors in Facilities Services, reporting lines were changed, effective today, to have the entire unit report to the one director, Kevin Cloos. And, of course, our staff did an outstanding job in handling the cold weather and heavy snowfall we have been experiencing.
Spring semester is the time for new student leadership. I would ask our newly elected Student Association president, who is serving in his second term, Nick Dhimitri, a senior Political Science major, and SA Vice President Anthony Faraco, a sophomore Political Science major, to stand and be recognized. Both have served in numerous student leadership positions and will do a great job leading SA over the next 12 months.
Spring semester is also the time for budget news. This year's budget situation is more complicated because, in addition to cutting state funds, Governor Paterson is intent on invading three non-state funds: (1) 90 percent of the mid-year tuition increase, and 80 percent of any tuition increase for next year; (2) the equivalent of all fee increases from the past five years--these are the fees that fund the health center, intercollegiate athletics, technology, resurfacing parking lots, lifeguards for the natatorium, and student organizations, and (3) 10 percent of the indirect charges associated with externally-funded grants. None of these items involve state funds, and SUNY is pushing back hard to ensure they are not treated like state funds.
Even if we are successful in keeping the Governor's hands off these accounts, I have no doubt he will take the equivalent amount from our state dollars. Even with the tuition increase, and assuming we receive collective bargaining funding, Fredonia will have an additional $1.2 million shortfall on top of this year's $3 million shortfall. Within a two-year period, our state funding will have been reduced by a whopping 26.5 percent.
We must begin the process of closing next year's budget gap now. Originally I feared it would be impossible to close this gap without a disastrous disruption to the campus. Fortunately, two factors will partially act as buffers by increasing the dollars we can roll into next year: (1) this year's delay in filling positions was more successful than originally anticipated, and (2) our strong enrollment growth, including a sizeable increase in the number of graduate students, has generated additional tuition dollars.
These increased rollovers, combined with delays in replacement hiring, re-direction of funds from fees and auxiliaries, and a repeat of every budget cut from this year that is repeatable, will close a sizeable portion of next year's budget gap. In order to address the remainder, we will keep some positions permanently vacant, or as the Cabinet members are fond of saying, some vacancies will be placed into "indefinite suspended animation."
Over the next three years, we will reduce our full-time permanent workforce by 5 percent, which is roughly 30 positions: 12 this year, 10 next year, and 8 the following year. The vacant Management Confidential position in Facilities Services has been permanently frozen, and soon will be joined by 11 other currently vacant positions.
While these actions are painful, they will allow us to avoid layoffs, retain academic department operating and travel budgets, and keep the library acquisition budget intact. Together, we will survive the current fiscal difficulties and keep this campus moving forward.
The bright spot in the budget continues to be capital construction. Ground-breaking occurred this fall for the incubator building in Dunkirk, the design architect has been selected for the new science/technology building, the construction contract has been awarded for the new child care center, work is nearing completion on the gateway building for University Stadium (gateway is the code word for "snack bar and public rest rooms"), the replacement of the entire campus-wide heating/cooling system will be completed by June, and soon there will be bidding for construction of two rehearsal rooms for Mason Hall to accommodate the physical and acoustical requirements of large ensembles.
Despite our serious budget challenges, this past fall witnessed a number of significant accomplishments. Three faculty members received unique honors: Ann Carden (Communication) was selected to the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows, Aimee Nezhukumatathil (English) was named a 2009 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow, and James Stevens (English) was named a Reynolds Literary Sandhill Crane Fellow. Several faculty received considerable media coverage: Dr. Gary Lash (Geosciences) for his research on the natural gas rich Marcellus Shale, and Dr. David Rankin (Political Science) by providing expert analysis of the presidential campaign. Dr. Michael Jabot (Curriculum and Instruction), working in partnership with University of California at Berkeley, made Fredonia one of only four sites nationally to receive two special NASA grants: Advancing Mentor and Novice Teachers in Space Science, and Advancing Teacher Leaders in Space Science. And Dr. Nancy Boynton (Mathematics) was elected chair of the Statistics Education Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America.
International activities continued to grow, as the number of full-time international students reached an all-time high. Several departments have expanded international offerings. For example, music exchange student programs are underway now in Beijing, China; Seville, Spain; and Leipzig, Germany, while over a 12-month period, the English department is sponsoring four courses that combine travel with literary and cultural research: Turkey in J-Term and London, Morocco, and New York City as summer study programs. The Wind Ensemble's trip to China encouraged Colonel Li Fang Fang, a professor at Beijing Conservatory and the conductor of the National Military and Police Band, to visit Fredonia in November to work on a unique student exchange program. Five Oaxaca (Mexico) faculty members visited our campus, made presentations in classrooms and to the community, and generated much energy around future collaborative opportunities, including work on a grant for an enthnohistory of Oaxacan immigrants, many of whom have settled in our region.
Fredonia State's Women's Volleyball Team had an extraordinary fall. The team finished the season with a 29-10 record, its best ever; won the SUNYAC tournament for the first time; and then went to the NCAA Division III tournament and won its first two rounds, reaching the "Sweet 16" before losing in a thrilling five set match. The team's coach, Geoff Braun, was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Performing arts programs were, as always, magnificent, and included an enchanting production "The Magic Flute," a critically acclaimed production of "Marat/Sade," a well-received revival of "A Christmas Carol," and, under the direction of Dr. Gerald Gray (Music), a stunning performance of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio," just to name a few.
Students again made us proud of their academic and community service achievements. Several highlights include SUNY Fredonia's Golden Key chapter ranking first in the region and fifth in the country for membership response rate; the "Out of the Darkness" Walk, sponsored by the Psychology Club, had 370 participants and raised over $6,000, and total student community volunteer service is well ahead of last year's record of 9,550 hours.
Technological advances occurred almost daily this past semester. The Graduate Studies office implemented an online graduate application, the Faculty Student Association developed a FredFunds off-campus debit account, which is now accepted at 21 locations in the Dunkirk/Fredonia area; and TouchNet software, which allows for electronic billing, online installment plans, and a campus-wide e-commerce environment, has been installed, with training for users beginning in February. Also, you'll want to visit our "Fredonia Live" website, available from the Admissions page, to watch profiles of 12 students selected from different majors.
Our Convocation theme, "Human Rights: With Liberty and Justice for All?" featured Marian Wright Edelman speaking to a packed King Concert Hall audience. The first convocation event of this spring occurs Feb. 10-11 with a visit by the Grammy award-winning musical group "Sharon Katz and the Peace Train."
Many academic departments invited alumni to campus this fall. Alums enjoy sharing their knowledge, and their involvement enhances student learning. Some of those visiting campus included David Smith, '74, president and CEO of National Fuel; Dennis Costello, '72, a highly successful venture capitalist working with alternative energy start-ups; Dr. John Baust, '65, a prominent SUNY Binghamton faculty member whose current research interests include improving treatment for prostate cancer; and two recipients of Distinguished Alumni Awards presented at Homecoming: sound recording expert John Poppo, who was extremely gracious and generous in his praise of the faculty who impacted his life, and Mike Petsky, a Wall Street marketing expert, who recently joined our Fredonia College Foundation Board.
And finally, four other fall highlights included approval of new B.S. degrees in Sports Management and Applied Mathematics, the SEFA campaign led by co-chairs Martha Smith and Kathy Dyckes set a new record of $51,836, annual giving to campus fund-raising again exceeded $2 million, and our $15 million "Doors to Success" capital campaign has surpassed $7.8 million with three years still to go.
As busy as the fall was, spring is likely to be busier, especially with the writing of the Middle States self-study, which involves many faculty and staff from across campus. The Admissions office also will be busy admitting another sizeable entering class. We are on track to receive 200 more freshman applications than last year's record-breaking number. The addition of the Common Application has proven a wise decision, as the number of student applications from this source has greatly exceeded expectations.
February will see another Big Read, funded by a second National Endowment for the Arts grant, plus supplemental funding from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Teach American History Grant project. This year's Big Read focuses on Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," a great American novel.
In April, the Masterworks Chorus and the College Symphony will perform "Carmina Burana," at an April Scholarship Benefit Concert. And on April 22, the celebration of Earth Day will feature a unique event each and every hour, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m.
Recently, the Sustainability Committee identified 31 major accomplishments, including a "non-sorting" approach to recycling, 1,500 green recycling toters distributed throughout the Residence Halls, 90 percent of the replaced McGinnies Hall doors recycled through Habitat for Humanity, a new environmentally-friendly ice melter, Green Sealed Certified cleaning products, and building materials with greater recycled content, to name a few. Soon we will begin the 10-week RecycleMania competition, so please put those new combined recycling bins to good use.
Significant progress continues to be made on the Fredonia Plan, especially in the areas of student learning and diversity. The Professional Development Center expanded its offerings and recently announced the appointment of five founding Professional Development Center Associates, who will share their expertise with the campus community through various workshops, meetings, and learning communities.
The final draft of the campus-wide Diversity Plan was completed in December. I want to thank the 16 members of this committee, which was led by Dr. Ted Schwalbe, for their diligence and effort. The Diversity Plan identifies 11 goals, one of which is "creat(ing) a more welcoming, empathic campus that is willing to 'confront our discomfort' and become more mindful of multicultural issues." Seven action recommendations proposed for the next 18 months include more diversity and tolerance curriculum within the First Year Experience, mini-grants to assist in integration of multiculturalism into degree major curriculum, additional offerings by the Professional Development Center, a mentoring/buddy system for new students, TESOL support for international students, continuance of the Campus Climate survey, and a campus-wide biannual forum to discuss diversity and adaptation issues. Work will begin this spring semester on several of these recommendations.
Before concluding, I want to tell you about two unique accomplishments from this past fall. One involves a current student, and the second involves a group of Fredonia alumni who graduated a half century ago.
Julia Hopson, a senior Graphic Design major, was recently selected to have her artwork on display in the first ever NCAA student-athlete art show held in conjunction with last week's NCAA National Convention in Washington, D.C. She was one of only 20 student-athletes selected from throughout the nation, and earlier had been one of only 13 student artists featured in the print version of "Champion," the NCAA national magazine. Julia came to Fredonia as a Keeper of the Dream scholar, has been on the Dean's List every semester, is captain of our women's Track and Field team, and is a three-time All-American in throwing. As part of being selected for the art show, the NCAA offered Julia a fully-paid trip to Washington, D.C., but she declined after securing a much sought after J-Term internship. She wanted to derive as much as possible from this internship opportunity. She is a focused, determined student who undoubtedly will succeed in her career. Her accomplishments have brought considerable positive attention to SUNY Fredonia. If you see her on campus, please congratulate her on this distinctive honor.
The second accomplishment is an amazing story that involves a dedicated faculty member, devoted students, and admiration that spanned half a century. Dr. Georgiana von Tornow, the founding faculty member and driving force behind our theatre and dance program, died in 1958 at the age of 53. However, her teaching lived on in the lives of her students, who never forgot her. A year ago, one of her former students, Dianne Kricheldorf, '54, contacted her classmates and others who had been students of Dr. von Tornow. Within a remarkably short period of time, 112 former students from the graduating classes spanning the years 1951 to 1961 donated 160 gifts (many sent multiple checks) totaling more than $50,000 to name a public space on campus. During Homecoming, many of these donors returned to campus, including one who came all the way from Hawaii, to see the Marvel Theatre lobby named in honor of their beloved teacher. During the dedication ceremony, several former students spoke fondly of Dr. von Tornow and related how she had influenced their lives. In all my years in higher education, I have never seen alumni return after five decades to honor a former teacher in such a concrete way. Not only was it an extraordinary event, but it provides evidence of how faculty and staff touch and influence the lives of our students. I can assure you, they will remember how you treated them and how you impacted their lives.
Thank you for what you do each and every day to assist and guide our students. Have a great semester!