As we approach the end of 2019, I’m pleased to offer this brief update on college initiatives and activities of interest to our community.
Enrollment Update
First, I’d like to thank you all for working to encourage spring enrollment during the fall semester. I do believe that these efforts have made a positive difference. Unfortunately, our latest enrollment report shows that we are 510 full-time equivalent (FTE) students behind our numbers for last year at this time. The college has budgeted to be down 153 FTE, so there is a significant amount of ground to make up. I believe we can bridge that gap with ongoing and proactive efforts to connect with students already in our enrollment pipeline while continuing to recruit and support new students.
See, the great majority of the spring enrollment decline is among our returning student population. As a result, I am asking everyone to continue to focus on meaningful outreach efforts that ensure students are advised and scheduled as early as possible. With fall classes now concluded and less than one month until the start of classes on Jan. 21, this final push will be crucial. Once again, thank you all for your hard work and ongoing commitment!
I’m pleased to share that efforts to boost enrollment in intersession classes beginning on Jan. 2, spring semester Saturday and sunrise classes, as well as courses at off-campus locations are paying off, with more than 860 seats scheduled in these areas. This is a nearly 30% increase over last year, which is excellent! Thank you for your work in this area, and please continue to promote these convenient options if they are appropriate for your students.
Acting on Academic Senate recommendations that would make it easier for students to earn credit and complete degrees at the college, the Board of Trustees reviewed and approved several policies at its Dec. 19 meeting. These include updates that:
- Allow greater flexibility in granting transfer credit from other accredited institutions
- Allow students to earn credit through a greater variety of non-traditional learning experiences including a challenge credit by examination options, micro-credentials, and the use of college credit recommendation services endorsed by the American Council on Education and SUNY’s National College Credit Recommendation Service
- Provide greater flexibility in allowing students who have previously earned degrees to enroll and complete an additional degree at the college
- Formalize changes to the college’s micro-credential completion policy
The Dec. 16 NPR article “Fewer Students Are Going to College. Here’s Why That Matters” highlights some of the challenges that colleges across the nation are facing, and offers some considerations for why enrollment is dropping and what colleges can do to stay on track. It’s a reminder that these challenges are not unique to Hudson Valley, and that there are ways we can work to mitigate the impact of downward enrollment trends as we look toward the future.
Admissions and Outreach Events
As we continue to discuss enrollment strategies, I’d like to recognize the importance of community outreach and on-campus events to promote the college and make our community more aware of all we have to offer. Two events in December were particularly successful examples of this type of outreach.
First, more than 60 area high school guidance counselors attended the Admission Office’s Guidance Counselor Breakfast, where they visited with various academic department faculty members and were offered tours of the campus. Attendance at the event was one of the largest in recent memory. In addition, the college hosted a roundtable discussion for community leaders who work with immigrant and refugee populations to assess how Hudson Valley and the EOC can help their organizations to advance English as a Second Language/English for Speakers of Other Languages education. My thanks to everyone involved in making both of these events so successful!
I’d also like to share that the Admissions office will be introducing live webinar virtual information sessions and online tours for prospective students and families who aren’t able to attend an on-campus information session. Just like an on-campus session, these online events will offer the opportunity for prospective students to learn about the college and specific programs, talk directly with an Admissions representative, view our presentation and engage in a question and answer period. Select dates are available between late December and early May, and additional information can be found on the college website.
As always, if you have any ideas on new initiatives to boost enrollment, please let me know!
Budget Update
This month, the SUNY Board approved its state operating budget request for 2020-21. The proposal for community colleges is a funding “floor” of either 100% of most recent funding levels or an increase of $100 in the per student funding of $2,947 provided in 2019/20, whichever is greater. This proposal will help us begin negotiations that will continue as the State Budget is introduced early in the new year. As you may be aware, the state budget is facing a significant funding gap for 2020-21, so we will remain active in our advocacy efforts and keep the campus community posted on our progress.
On a positive note, the SUNY budget includes funding for the $4 million capital project for the Facilities Master Plan Implementation–Phase I, which has been approved by the Board and the Rensselaer County legislature. JMZ, our master planning consultant, will provide its preliminary proposals to share with the campus community early in the spring semester.
Leadership
I am pleased to report that two new deans and one new associate dean have been approved. Dr. Jonathan Ashdown is now the permanent Dean of STEM, and Dr. Patricia Klimkewicz is the Dean of Health Sciences, while Deborah Shoemaker is promoted to the Associate Dean of Community and Education Partnerships, reporting to Penny Hill, dean for Economic Development and Workforce Initiatives.
New Initiatives
Over the last month or so, the college has developed several new initiatives to support our students and workforce partners, which I am happy to share updates on.
- Our Human Services department has developed a new micro-credential for those interested in becoming certified alcohol and substance abuse counselors. Using curriculum already part of the Chemical Dependency Counseling program, this three-part micro-credential is designed for those who have an existing associate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. It allows students to complete the core courses required by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services for the CASAC-T in three semesters. You may contact Maryanne Pepe for more information.
- The college is now in its third year of offering Open Educational Resources (OER) for students, and I encourage faculty to explore them where possible in the interest of continuing to make college more affordable. These open-source instructional materials are written by experts and can provide a tremendous benefit to students by eliminating the need to purchase a textbook. Faculty interested in implementing OERs can contact Library Director Brenda Hazard to get more information.
- The EOC has announced a new workforce training partnership with National Grid. Enrollment is now open for an 11-week Energy Technician Certificate program, to prepare students for entry-level work in the electric and gas service field. You can contact Keevin Killikelly at k.killikelly@hvcc.edu or (518) 273-2300 ext. 2235 for more information.
- Earlier in December, we were notified by SUNY that the Viking Child Care Center will receive $114,500 from the Child Care and Development Block Grant to use for tuition subsidies for children of income-eligible student parents and for improving the quality of the program. In addition, SUNY has appropriated $130,000 to the Center to be used for operating expenses. Please contact our Faculty Student Association for additional information on the grant.
As you are aware, concerns about cost, time to complete, and childcare can create very real hurdles for students trying to manage busy lives and juggle responsibilities while pursuing their education. By implementing programs and providing resources like this, it is my hope that we can continue to offer students the support they need to stay on track and reach their goals.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As you know, one of the six core priorities of our Strategic Plan is “Commit to Student Success, Inclusion and Equity.” With that in mind, I’d like to highlight some upcoming events that focus on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at our college:
- The ninth annual Rensselaer County SART Conference, presented by the Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program and hosted by the college’s Public Safety Department, will be held on Jan. 16 in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “Creating Inclusion in Our Communities” and will feature keynote presentations on sexual violence within the deaf and hard of hearing communities, along with eight additional workshops participants can choose from. Attendance is free, but registration is required by Jan. 3 at. Contact Adrienne Barker at Adrienne.Barker@sphp.com for additional information.
- Additionally, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a 10-week Embracing Diversity Training for faculty and staff beginning in February. Dates are Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27; March 5, 12, and 26; and April 2, 9, and 16, and sessions will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The training is voluntary, and there are 20 spots total available, so if you are interested please contact Zoë O’Brey to register at (518) 629-4599 or z.obrey@hvcc.edu.
Holiday Greetings
Finally, I’d like to share my thanks with all who joined us for the Holiday Open House on Dec. 19. And, if you didn’t get a chance to see it before, please enjoy the college’s holiday video greeting, produced by our Multimedia and Video Services Department. Many thanks to the students, faculty and staff members who took part!
As we wrap up the fall semester and celebrate the holiday season, I’d like to give thanks once again to all the members of our college community who work hard throughout the year to make Hudson Valley a welcoming place where students of all backgrounds can achieve their dreams. Please know that your efforts are appreciated, and that your commitment makes a difference to our college and our community.
Thank you.
President Roger Ramsammy
Published: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 13:30:21 +0000 by r.ramsammy