Press release:
Trustees of the Genesee Community College Board got an update Monday evening on the five-year Facilities Master Plan approved a year ago, and the architect says it's right on track.
Robert Joy, managing principal of JMZ Architects and Planners, PC, reported that as part of his service to the College, he has been reviewing the Plan in context with today's priorities to ensure its continued relevance.
Against an array of important concerns -- such as the rising cost of higher education, graduation and college degree completion rates, transferability of college credits, measuring outcomes and student success -- the Master Plan is "hitting the mark perfectly," Joy said.
Revisions to the plan would be done on a pro bono basis, but it sounds like few adjustments need to be made.
"It seems eve(n) more relevant today than it did one year ago," Joy said.
In fact, the two major initiatives, a new Events Center and Student Success Center are not only excellent avenues for local economic development, but they also reinforce New York State's priorities as investments offering long-term positive return.
The Board also heard about Start-Up New York (SUNY Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate NY) from William Emm, GCC's executive vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. Emm is GCC's point-person for the new, Albany-based initiative that is aiming to transform SUNY campuses into tax-free communities for new and expanding businesses.
The statewide initiative introduced by Governor Cuomo encourages potential developments on or within one mile of each of SUNY's 64 campuses. Each institution can designate up to 200,000 square feet of space for Start-Up New York projects to create new jobs that are associated with the academic curricula offered by the connected campus.
The creation of new jobs, while not hurting existing businesses, is the central objective of Start-Up NY, according to Emm. For GCC, program opportunities that support the College's mission can exist not only at or near the Batavia Campus in Genesee County, but also at or near the College's campus centers in Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The Dansville Campus Center featuring larger facilities with plenty of expansion space offers significant potential, Emm explained.
All Start-Up NY proposals presented to Genesee Community College will be reviewed by the College administration and also the Board of Trustees. The criteria under development that would screen proposals includes furthering the mission and goals of the College; a net increase of new jobs; positive impact on the local economy; introduction or expansion of new technology; required space allocation; workforce development opportunities and the multiplier effect of new jobs and economies related to the Start-Up NY program.
For further information about Start-Up NY go to: http://startup-ny.com/
In other business Monday, the Board of Trustees:
• Authorized President James Sunser to designate, at some point in the future, the College's safety director to act as a peace officer.
• Heard Kathleen Schiefen, GCC provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs report that Genesee Community College is currently reviewing all college curricula to ensure compliance with related and required accreditation standards and also with the new SUNY seamless transfer initiatives intended to encourage timely graduation rates. Sport Management, A.S. and Communication and Media Arts, A.S. are the first two programs to have been completed.
• Heard William Emm report on the Board of Trustees Self-Assessment tool, a survey that will be individually completed by the board members early in 2014. After tabulation, a summary report will be used in July during the Board's annual planning meeting and retreat.
