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The Fall 2024 Semester has started with a strong sense of ambition and vitality around campus.
There is much to look forward to this academic year, our 135th as an institution! In addition to the information in my opening message to employees last week, I'd like to share the opening message I sent to students just before classes began.
We will build on the energy, determination, and momentum from last academic year as we continue to foster relationships, nurture community, and collaborate to support our students and one another into the future and our next 135 years.
Sincerely,
Alberto J.F. Cardelle
President
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Fall 2024 Enrollment Update
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Karen Brown
Assistant Vice President for Enrollment
Each summer and fall, those of us working in enrollment keep a close eye on the number of incoming students. I am happy to report that our preliminary numbers are strong. We are on target for our goal of bringing in 1,500 new students. More finalized numbers will be available later in the semester. As of right now we have more than 1,200 first-year students, 300 transfer students, and 150 graduate students who just began their SUNY Oneonta journeys.
These students come from 14 states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, Washington, and Minnesota, and 11 countries including, Japan, Uganda, Chile, India, South Korea, and Finland. Their average high school GPA is 91, and 41 percent have received a merit-based scholarship. Approximately 37 percent of the undergraduates are first-generation students, and the most popular majors are Childhood/Early Childhood Education, Business, Psychology, and undeclared. This class is also more diverse, with 33.6 percent who come from underrepresented backgrounds, more than two percent higher than last year.
Our total undergraduate enrollment is approximately 4,700, and our graduate enrollment is approximately 640. I appreciate all of the assistance with our recruitment and yield events last year and the continued dedication to retaining our students. The collaboration across campus fosters an environment where students feel welcome and supported - setting them up for success as they work to achieve their goals.
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|  | A student tour guide leads a group on a campus tour at the Spring 2024 Admitted Students Day
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Julie Condon, Assistant Director, SOHLI
Pathy Leiva, Director, SOHLI & AOP
Fall 2024 marks the first semester the SUNY Oneonta Heritage Language Institute (SOHLI) is officially operating!
SOHLI supports and engages SUNY Oneonta students who are also English Language Learners. This program celebrates being multi-lingual and provides resources for multi-lingual students' success. Whether SOHLI participants need help mastering the English language or only need help with advanced applications (i.e.: STEM terminology and research-style writing), the program provides a variety of services to students depending on their proficiency levels, wants, and needs. SOHLI also facilitates ELL professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
We will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event to celebrate SOHLI's establishment. Please stay tuned to the Bulletin for information about this event later in the semester.
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Off-Grid Lab Now Solar Powered
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Sandra Garcia-Fine, Energy Manager, Facilities
Florian Reyda, Director, Biological Field Station & R.J. Thayer Otsego Lake Research Chair
We are excited to announce a significant milestone in our sustainability efforts at the university. The Biological Field Station's (BFS) off-grid laboratory at Moe Pond is now equipped with a 9kW solar array and battery system, making it our campus's first solar and battery-powered building!
Construction of this innovative system began in March 2024, with the hard work and expertise of local contractors, Eastman Associates and J&A Electrical. The design consulting was provided by LaBella Associates, ensuring a state-of-the-art installation that aligns with our commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Previously, the building relied on propane generation and was seldom used. With the new solar and battery system in place, we anticipate that the laboratory will now see increased utilization, supporting our academic and research activities more efficiently and sustainably. In addition to the innovative energy system, the surrounding landscape has been thoughtfully designed with pollinator-friendly plants. This green space is more than just a beautiful environment; it's a vital habitat for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators, contributing to biodiversity and the health of our local ecosystem.
We encourage all campus employees to take pride in this achievement and consider how we can continue to support and expand our sustainability initiatives. This project not only enhances our campus's capabilities but also sets a precedent for future green projects. We also emphasize that the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station is available for use to everyone on campus at SUNY Oneonta. There are various properties and facilities with access to many different habitats, including Moe Pond. All departments are welcome to consider programs or activities they could do at the BFS. If interested, please contact Florian Reyda.
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News & Updates from the Career Center
Christy Funsch
Director, Career Planning & Networking Center
A lot is happening in how we support students in their career exploration! First, we've changed the office's name from the Career Development Center to the Career Planning and Networking Center. This new name better reflects our commitment to collaborating with students in their career exploration journeys and reinforces the important components of planning and networking in this process.
We've also hired three new internship facilitators, one for each of the university's schools. Over the past few weeks, we've welcomed Chris Gondeck (School of Human Ecology, Education & Sports Studies), Alex Douglas (School of Liberal Arts & Business), and Serap Gurak Ozdemir (School of Sciences). The facilitators will serve as a point of communication for faculty and students in advising about internship opportunities. They will also assist students with securing internships and manage the Handshake paperwork and registration process.
We are also fortunate to have partners who financially support our students' internship experiences. Last year, we distributed $146,000 from funds received through the SUNY Chancellor's Upward Mobility Agenda and $105,386 from funds provided by the SUNY Oneonta Foundation to 93 students completing internships.
Please reach out if you're interested in learning more about opportunities to collaborate with us on supporting students in securing internships, career exploration, or preparing for graduate school. We'd love to collaborate with you!
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Recent Graduate Awarded Fulbright Fellowship
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Maria C. Montoya
Professor of World Languages & Literatures
Kadidja El-Hadji '23 was recently awarded the English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Fulbright Fellowship to travel to Benin, Africa, for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.
Kadidja began the application process for this grant in the Spring 2023 semester with advisement from Dr. Florian Reyda and Dr. Maria C. Montoya. It included multiple essays and an in-person interview with a SUNY Oneonta committee. In her proposal, she valued education as a unique universal right for every human being and stated her commitment to bring to the ETA role, her multilinguistic skills, her familiarity with the cultural practices of this region (Kadidja was raised in Togo, a neighbor country to Benin), and her strong desire to learn and share her knowledge with others. She expressed her desire to overcome environmental obstacles due to power imbalance. During her time at SUNY Oneonta, Kadidja used her heritage bilingualism to embrace her own identity and inspire others around her.
This grant reflects Kadidja’s leadership and contribution to society. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Only those with passion to serve and build bridges are the fortunate ones to carry on this government mission. Fulbright SUNY Oneonta Co-advisors will continue to work every year to send our students abroad on government exchange programs.
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| Recent Grad & New Employee Receives SUNY ACT Award
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Olivia Schuler '24 has been selected to receive the State University of New York Association of College Council and College Trustees' (SUNY ACT) annual Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship.
This award recognizes Olivia's outstanding academic performance and extraordinary commitment to her campus and community. During her collegiate career, Olivia was a double major in Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies. She was a member of several clubs and honor societies, served as the president of SUNY Oneonta's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and was a student representative on the university's
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Taskforce and Mental Health Advisory Committee. Olivia was also named one of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence recipients in April 2024. Since graduating in May, she has joined the staff as a Residence Hall Director on campus. Congratulations, Olivia!
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Celebrating 135 Years of Excellence
1889-1890 | 2024-2025
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The 2024 - 2025 academic year marks SUNY Oneonta’s 135th anniversary of our founding. Established in 1889 as the Oneonta Normal School, SUNY Oneonta has been a beacon of academic excellence, producing alumni who have made significant contributions in the arts, sciences, business, and more.
From our beginnings as a State Normal School established to educate future teachers to our status today as a comprehensive liberal arts university as part of the State University of New York system, we are celebrating 135 years of excellence all throughout the year. Departments across the university are collaborating on programs, activities, and events in recognition of this milestone.
Historical Exhibit:
Reference & Special Collections Librarian Heather Stalter and Milne Library faculty have put together an exhibit featuring artifacts and information about the university’s history. This will be on display all year outside of the Alden Room on the third floor of the library. The Greater Oneonta Historical Society also has a marker on the section of its exhibit that covers the founding of the Oneonta Normal School.
Drive for 135:
Drive for 135 is a cross-divisional initiative between University Advancement and Academic Affairs to secure 135 new or recommitted alumni-connected internship opportunities for SUNY Oneonta students between Sept. 2024 & Sept. 2025. Additional information about this initiative will be shared in next month's Notes from Netzer.
Events
- Orientation, Convocation, Pass Through the Pillars and Opening Picnic and Employee Breakfast had 135th theme.
- President Cardelle, University Senate Chair Dr. Keith Jones, UUP Oneonta President Shirley Clark, CSEA Local 635 President Jennifer Regg, and Student Association President Alec Hodge will cut a 135th celebration cake on Red Day.
- Founder’s Week Red Dragon Scavenger Hunt around campus.
- Family Weekend will incorporate a 135th-related activity.
- Alumni Speaker Series featuring alumni from each academic school.
- Alumni events will incorporate 135th theme and history throughout the year.
- Communications & Marketing are producing videos and social media posts celebrating our 135th with participation from students, employees, and alumni.
- Event/Presentation covering the university’s history in the spring.
- Other events will incorporate the 135th theme throughout the year.
Watch the Oneonta Bulletin and CampusConnection for more information about these and other ways to celebrate this milestone throughout the year!
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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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