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We are one week into the Spring 2024 semester, and I hope you agree that it has been invigorating to see everyone on campus and reconnect with students.
Beyond campus, the beginning of the year is a busy time for SUNY and New York State as the Governor has delivered the State of the State and proposed the Executive Budget. This year's proposed budget outlines a planned $54 million for general operating support for state-operated campuses and other increased funding that will benefit students, employees, and communities alike. We are seeking opportunities to engage with our legislators and ask for their support in ensuring SUNY campuses receive this well-deserved funding.
It is encouraging to see the Governor and SUNY leadership recognizing the value of our public higher education institutions and college degrees. As you know, reinforcing the value of a college education, especially from a regional comprehensive university, is a personal mission of mine. While there is skepticism out there, and I recognize the significant challenges facing our industry, I've recently come across some encouraging reports. Last March, the Aspen Institute outlined how wage premiums for bachelor's degree holders are at a near decades-long high, and adults with college degrees have an unemployment rate of about half of those with a high school degree or less. The College Board also published "Education Pays 2023," which outlines, among many facts about the value of higher education, how college graduates report higher rates of job satisfaction and financial stability and are more engaged in community and personal development.
These are just two examples of many that outline how the narrative about the declining value of college degrees does not stand up to close inspection. There is work to do to overcome these misconceptions, but together, we can showcase how valuable a SUNY Oneonta education is to students and families, our communities, local partners and government representatives. I thank you for your contributions to ensuring SUNY Oneonta works hard to set students up for life-long success and satisfaction, and we continue to aspire to nurture a community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully.
Sincerely,
Alberto J.F. Cardelle
President
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New Nursing Articulation with Utica University
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|  | L to R: UU Dean of the School of Health Professions & Education Ahmed Radwan, UU Senior VP for Market Innovation & Senior Associate Provost Polly Smith, UU Interim VP for Enrollment Management Jessica Nelson, UU Chair of Nursing Doreen Rogers, Dean of the School of Sciences Tracy Allen, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs Enrique Morales Diaz, Pre-Health Professions Program Coordinator Tami LaPilusa, Assistant VP of Enrollment Karen Brown.
Seated: UU President Todd Pfannestiel, President Alberto Cardelle
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Earlier this month, a new articulation agreement between SUNY Oneonta and Utica University was announced. This agreement creates a pathway for SUNY Oneonta students in select majors to obtain two bachelor's degrees, one from SUNY Oneonta and an accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing degree from Utica University.
This agreement was designed by Tami LaPilusa, program coordinator for Pre-Health Professions, in collaboration with the Nursing Department at Utica. It will open another avenue to a nursing certification for SUNY Oneonta students - addressing increased student interest and workforce demands. The SUNY Oneonta-Utica University Early Assurance Program Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing agreement is open to both incoming first-year and current students who have earned less than 90 credits. Learn more about the program details.
President Cardelle joined Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel at Utica's campus on Jan. 24 for a signing ceremony. He was joined by Provost Enrique Morales-Diaz, Dean of the School of Sciences Tracy Allen, Pre-Health Program Coordinator Tami LaPilusa, and Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Karen Brown to celebrate the program's expected benefits to our recruitment, retention and academic portfolio. Read more about the signing event.
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Geothermal Test Well is Important Preparation for Netzer Rehab & Clean Energy Master Plan
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Lachlan Squair
Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
Over winter break, Facilities partnered with a contractor to install a geothermal test well to help us prepare for the Netzer renovation project. After the rehab, Netzer will be the second building on campus (Alumni Hall being the first) to use geothermal for heating and cooling. This test well, located between Netzer and Chase, is the first on any SUNY campus to be drilled to 750 feet. This new depth is possible because of recent changes in mining regulations.
For the Netzer project, a system of 60 - 70 geothermal wells will allow heat generated by air conditioning to be stored in the earth during the summer and then withdrawn in the winter to provide heat to the building. Geothermal systems are very energy efficient and will allow us to reduce our onsite greenhouse gas emissions produced by traditional heating methods. Utilizing geothermal and other renewable energy improvements at Netzer are part of our efforts to reduce campus carbon dioxide emissions from building operations by over 200 tons per year from just this project alone. All of this work stems from the goals and objectives of our Clean Energy Master Plan, charting a course toward long-term decarbonization of campus building operations. Construction of this geothermal system is slated to begin in 2025.
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Microcredentials are currently one of the most in-demand educational programs across the United States, and establishing microcredentials here at SUNY Oneonta has been a point of discussion over the past year. In June 2023, we added a microcredential policy to help guide our progress.
In mid-December, the Provost’s Office announced the availability of $20,000 in SUNY funding to support and incentivize the development of our university’s first 20 microcredentials. Just one month later we have made significant strides - we now have our first eight microcredential proposals submitted, with others in the works!
As a reminder, all faculty and staff can apply for this funding for one microcredential (12k left!). The incentive program is “first-come, first-served” according to the submission date in Curriculog. Proposed microcredentials must be competencies-based and workforce-oriented according to SUNY and local policy. Anyone interested in applying should submit a proposal in Curriculog.
Microcredentials will be an excellent complement to our academic offerings for both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Allowing students the opportunity to have short, focused learning experiences where they will gain relevant skills needed in today's workforce will augment their academic experience and help them be more competitive when applying for jobs or promotions.
If you have questions about microcredentials at SUNY Oneonta, please direct them to Vice Provost Eileen Morgan-Zayachek or Senior Director of the Extended and Community Learning (ExCL) Center Michelle Thibault.
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Eight Faculty & Staff Complete Sustainable Susquehanna Professional Development Program
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Rachel Kornhauser
Associate Director of Sustainability
Congratulations to the recent attendees of the annual Sustainable Susquehanna workshop hosted by the Office of Sustainability. These participants are now part of a robust network, joining 67 faculty members across 24 departments who have attended workshops and actively integrated sustainability into their work at SUNY Oneonta since 2013. The diverse composition of the faculty and staff participants highlights the fact that sustainability efforts thrive on interdisciplinary collaboration.
January 2024 Class:
- Dr. Barbara Durkin - Associate Professor of Management, Business
- Kat Feit - Sr. Financial Analyst, Budget Office
- Dr. Yan Lang - Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management, Business
- Michelle Lopez - Director, Office of Global Education
- Dr. Riza Ozdemir- Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology, Counseling and Special Education
- Anna Rutenbeck - Coordinator of Science Outreach Activities, Science Discovery Center
- Sarah Simpson - Director, Art Galleries
- Dr. Alissa Walls - Assistant Professor of Art History, Art
A special thanks goes to Assistant Professor of Meteorology and Climatology Dr. Chris Karmosky, who served as the program's co-facilitator.
All employees are invited to join us for a Sustainability Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to connect with this latest cohort and others interested in sustainability on campus.
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SUNY Oneonta's Inaugural Institutional Success Day: A Triumph of Collaboration and Learning
Joshua Nelson, Director of Assessment
Caitlin Hornbeck, Director of Institutional Research
SUNY Oneonta held its first-ever Institutional Success Day on Jan. 17, with more than 150 faculty, staff, and administrators in attendance. The program focused on enhancing student success through engaging discussions, insightful workshops and a captivating plenary talk by Kathleen Landy titled "Assessment is an Act of Compassion."
The day's discussion featured strategies for integrating student learning outcomes into curriculum, teaching and program assessments. Participants' feedback indicates that the highlights were conversations that foster a culture of continuous improvement, the Student Experience Assessment Panel and Academic Assessment Panels that provided valuable insights and experiences, and workshop sessions like "Using the Equity Gap Analysis Report" and "The Experiential University: CDC Reboot and Internship Scale Up," which received acclaim for their engagement and practicality. Attendees praised Landy's talk for its relevance and inspiring nature, emphasizing the crucial link between assessment and compassion.
Suggestions for improvement include adding more hands-on sessions, showcasing exemplary assessment plans and practical demonstrations of using the college's assessment database. SUNY Oneonta's inaugural Institutional Success Day was a resounding success, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. As we eagerly anticipate the next event in May, let's build on this momentum for an even more impactful and inclusive experience. Thank you to all attendees and contributors! 🎉
Save the Date: The success continues! The next Institutional Success Day is scheduled for Monday, May 20, 2024.
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Dining Services Chefs Take First at State Competition
SUNY Oneonta's four executive chefs placed first in the Judge's Vote category of the Battle of the Chefs competition at the State University of New York Auxiliary Services Association's 2024 annual conference earlier this month. This competition allows dining services chefs from across the state to showcase their creativity and talent.
The chefs representing SUNY Oneonta's Sodexo Dining Services were Lynn Cross-Matteson, chef manager in Wilsbach Hall; Damian Price, chef manager in Mills Hall; Bryan Bennett, catering chef and Andrea Ghersi, catering chef. The dish they created to help win the Judge's Vote category was a Dragon Taco featuring beef tri-tip in a schezwan peppercorn adobo broth, slaw and a roasted red pepper "dragon sauce," all in a house-made tortilla. Congratulations!
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L to R: Bryan Bennett, Lynn Cross-Matteson, Damian Price, Andrea Ghersi
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Cabinet Meeting Notes
Notes from meetings of the President's Cabinet are shared with the university community monthly in Notes from Netzer. Questions can be directed to president@oneonta.edu.
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