Genesee Community College Ready for Fall 2017 Opening

Fall Semester Begins Monday, August 21 with Two New Buildings Open

Batavia, NY (08/17/2017) — When members of Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees arrived on the Batavia Campus for the Board's monthly meeting on August 14, they saw a nearly-transformed campus. The Student Success Center, which opened several weeks ago, was the scene of much activity, and the Richard C. Call Arena was ready for staff move-in. Landscaping had been mostly completed around the Student Success Center, and the long-awaited reconfiguration of the Batavia Campus parking area had begun.

Trustees commented enthusiastically about the two new buildings, the outstanding condition of the campus, and the promise of the 2017-2018 academic year set to begin August 21.

In routine business Monday evening, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved minor updates to policies on the use of the College's facilities. The policies make many facilities available to community organizations. The policies also establish fees for not-for-profit organizations that cover utilities and other expenses.
• Approved the granting of degrees and certificates to August 2017 graduates, subject to their satisfactory completion of academic requirements. The College anticipates awarding one Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree, 73 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees, 48 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, and 11 certificates.
• Approved $2.27 million in capital expenditures for the final phase of the Batavia Campus construction project. This phase includes the first complete reconfiguration of the north and south parking lots in the College's history, and improvements in exterior safety features including lighting and emergency access systems.
• Heard Board Chair Laura J. Bohm announce Board of Trustees committee appointments for the 2017-2018 year. Board Vice-Chair Donna M. Ferry will chair the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Other members of the committee include Peter R. Call, Maureen T. Marshall, Laurie J. Miller and Jacalyn F. Whiting. Ms. Miller will chair the Personnel Committee. Other members include Benjamin J. Bonarigo, Robert L. Boyce, Diane D. Torcello and Ms. Marshall. Mr. Bonarigo will chair the Policy Committee, and be joined on the committee by Ms. Whiting. Mr. Call will chair the Finance Committee. Other members include Ms. Ferry and Ms. Torcello. Mr. Boyce will chair the Nominating Committee, and be joined by Ms. Whiting. Ms. Ferry and Ms. Marshall will serve as Board of Trustees representatives to the Association of Community College Trustees, and Ms. Ferry will serve as the trustees' representative to the New York Community College Trustees Association. Mr. Boyce, Mr. Call and Ms. Whiting will serve as trustee representatives on the Board of Directors of the Genesee Community College Foundation. Ms. Miller will serve as trustee representative on the Board of Directors of the Genesee Community College Association. Ms. Ferry, Ms. Miller and Ms. Torcello will serve as members of the ad hoc Honorary Degree Committee.
• Heard President James M. Sunser report that five individuals have recently joined the College's staff, replacing faculty or staff members who have retired or left for other positions. Courtney M. Andros of Tonawanda is serving as assistant director for Human Resources Compliance. She comes to Genesee from SUNY Cortland. Ms. Andros holds a B.A. degree from Westfield State University (Massachusetts) and a M.A. degree from Stony Brook University. Karyn S. Bryson of Mt. Morris is serving in a temporary appointment as assistant professor/director of the Paralegal Program. She has served as a member of the adjunct faculty since 2006, and served as interim director of the Paralegal program in the past. She holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Brockport and a J.D. degree from Southwestern University School of Law. She has extensive experience in the practice of law and in supervising paralegal staff. Brodie Q. McPherson of Geneseo is serving as technical specialist/theatre technician. He holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Geneseo, and has extensive experience in theatre arts and technology. Mark P. Donoghue of Palmyra is serving as instructor of Nursing. Mr. Donoghue served in the military during Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a combat medical specialist, and has taught at Finger Lakes BOCES and Isabella Graham School of Practical Nursing. He holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Buffalo and a B.S. from SUNY Brockport. Stephanie L. Durfee of Warsaw is also serving as instructor of Nursing. She has served as a member of the adjunct faculty since 2015, and has practiced at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Medina Memorial Hospital and as a school nurse with the Batavia School District. She holds an A.A.S. degree from Genesee Community College, a B.S. degree from Daemen College and M.S. degree from the University of Phoenix.
• Heard Dr. Sunser thank and compliment three recent faculty and staff retirees: Deborah M. DiNoto, dean of the Wyoming County Campus Centers; Ronald L. Spiotta, athletics assistant and Gregory L. Dalton, associate professor/director of the Paralegal Program.
• Heard Dr. Sunser report that Thomas C. Priester, assistant professor/director of Transitional Studies, will serve as interim dean of the Wyoming County Campus Centers following the retirement of Dean DiNoto. Andrew A. Crofts is moving from a staff position in the College's Marketing Communications Office to the Athletics Office, where he will serve as assistant director.
• Heard Dr. Sunser report "much activity" over the summer in the College's admissions office. New student enrollment is currently up by 17 students. About 140 students from abroad have enrolled at Genesee for the 2017-2018 year. About 102 students have qualified for New York State's new Excelsior scholarship program
• Heard Dr. Sunser report that a committee of SUNY community college presidents has been studying the New York State funding formula for community colleges and may recommend changes to state officials sometime next year. Proposed changes would likely reflect emerging state priorities on student persistence and operation of high-need academic programs.

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