GCC

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees on Monday evening elected Maureen Torrey as board chair for the 2012-2013 year. The board also elected Diane D. Torcello as vice-chair and Laura J. Bohm as secretary.

Torrey, of Elba, is owner and operator of Torrey Farms, also based in Elba. Torcello, of Pavilion, is a Bank of Castile branch manager. Bohm, of Batavia, is administrative assistant at Batavia's Birchwood Village.

Trustees met at the Batavia Campus for their annual organizational meeting.

In other business, the board of trustees:

-- Approved a resolution of appreciation honoring outgoing trustee Charles R. Ruffino for his 10 years of service on the board of trustees. Ruffino served as board chair for the last two years. Trustees named him to the honorary position of trustee emeritus.

-- Welcomed Peter R. Call as the newest member of the board of trustees. Call serves as president of Call Farms, based in Batavia, and was recently appointed to the board by the Genesee County Legislature.

The 10-member volunteer board of trustees is the governing body of Genesee Community College.

A 29-percent graduation rate may not sound impressive, but that rate makes GCC one of the very best community colleges in New York State.

Data complied by Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS) shows GCC is ahead of neighborhing schools in Erie, Niagara and Monroe counties for gradutation rate.

CNN reported last week that GCC is among the top 100 community colleges in the nation for either graduating students or helping them get into a four-year school.

According to CNN, 54 percent of GCC's full-time students obtained either a degree or a transfer, tying the school with Herkimer Community College for best student success rate in New York.

“The IPEDS data and follow-up report validate what we are most proud of at GCC — that we are a student-centered institution and we understand that students come to our doors with all kinds of interests, needs and capabilities,” said Donna Rae Sutherland, GCC’s associate director of marketing communications. “At every level of this institution, student success is our primary motivator and it is reassuring to see this culture play out in nationwide statistics and reports.”

Like all community colleges, GCC accepts students from all walks of life with a variety of backgrounds and educational needs. Many of the students are not necessarily focused on either a degree nor moving onto a four-year school.

For those who are, the available data seems to indicate that GCC is among the best schools students can pick, which was the point of the CNN article titled, "Community college: How to avoid 'dropout factories'."

With tuition at four-year colleges skyrocketing, a growing number of high school seniors are looking to community colleges as a low-cost option.

But figuring out which community college will give you the best chance of transferring to your dream school can be difficult. There's very little standardized information out there that students can use to compare community colleges. As a result, many students end up enrolling in the community college that is closest to them, not realizing that a school just a few miles away might be a much better option.

The CNN report is based on data besides IPEDS, but the IPEDS reports support the underlining message of CNN's story.

Here's a chart using the latest available IPEDS data showing how GCC ranks compared to neighboring community colleges:

College Grad Rate Transfer Rate GCC 29% 26% Erie 17% 19% Finger Lakes 30% 19% Herkimer 30% 23% Monroe 23% 21% Niagara 24% 14%

Sutherland said GCC ranks highest, as well, among its peer-group of 30 schools, which are medium-sized, rural community colleges.

"More and more the cat's getting out of bag that GCC does a pretty good job at accomplishing our mission," Sutherland said. "They’re always challenges and we always want to improve. Just as Stuart Steiner always challenged us to improve, President Jim Sunser is following the same path. The culture at GCC is pretty good. We remain focused on the students."

While not all students come to GCC with the intention of graduating or moving onto a four-year school, many who do are not as prepared as they should be for the rigors of a college education, which is another challenge for GCC to overcome.

According to data provided by GCC, 70 percent of GCC’s first-year students require remedial assistance in math comprehension and 36 percent require remedial reading.

Even so, it's not just IPEDS data that shows GCC is outpacing most other community colleges in student success rates.

In April, GCC was one of the top 120 colleges recognized by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and invited to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

GCC was selected for the prestigious competition based on data reflecting rates of graduation, transfer, retention, performance improvement and equity in completion outcomes.

The college submitted the follow-up application in late May. The 10 finalists for the Aspen prize will be announced in September. The prize will be awarded next spring.

The other recent honor for GCC was being chosen for the Voluntary Framework of Accountability.

GCC is just one of 40 community colleges in the nation chosen and the only one in New York.

The VFA selection is based on longer-term outcomes and an improved set of indicators to more accurately measure performance in the areas of community college readiness, student progress and completion, job preparation and employment. The VFA is a collaborative effort with the American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community College Trustees and the college board with a grant from the Gates and Lumina Foundation.

“IPEDS, Aspen and the VFA -- these are all great indicators that GCC is a great place to get ahead," Sutherland said. "So, while summer may be a good time to relax, it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about the future. We encourage anyone who has ever considered college to visit one of our seven campus locations and consider enrolling this fall.”

Osvaldo Succi Jr., center, with Don Brown and Donna Ehrhart were at Genesee Community College this afternoon where a group of faculty and staff completed a week-long course in Portuguese taught by Succi.

The course is part of an exchange program between GCC and Faculdade de Tecnologia de Amercicana in Brazil that will include students, faculty and administrators.

Brown and Ehrhart will travel to Brazil at a later date to teach fashion design.

Succi said he really enjoyed his week in Batavia.

"I was impressed with the community," Succi said "It's very lively, very friendly. I think it is a very lovely place."

He said he hopes the exchange will expand the global view of students from both GCC and Brazil.

GCC will delay some initiatives in order to squeeze its budget a little bit tighter, college President Jim Sunser told the Genesee County Legislature.

The college can forgo, at least for this year, an increase in the county's host share of funding.

"We will continue to be very diligent about how we allocate and expend dollars," Sunser said. "We will keep as much as we can toward student success first and foremost, but we’ll be OK."

In another of a series of lean budget years for Genesee County, GCC was facing a tough battle to convince legislators to increase funding by $50,000, from $1,937,374 to $1,987,374.

The county's share of GCC funding represents about 5 percent of the college's overall $37 million operating budget.

Two recent staff retirements will also help the college hold down expenses just a bit, Sunser said.

"We will manage how quickly we replace those positions," Sunser said. "Some of the staff temporarily filling in will fill in just a bit longer."

As part of the budget plan, GCC is planning a tuition increase of $75 per semester per full-time student.

If you happened by GCC this morning and saw the entire fleet of Turnbull Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trucks on the parking lot -- no, the college was not undergoing some sort of massive HAVC overhaul.

Owner Bill Hayes, rather, had his entire crew out at the BEST Center this morning getting customer service training.

It's one of several programs offered by BEST to local businesses. Customer service is available to individuals or companies, which can bring their entire staff in for training that's specific to the company, Director Ray Chaya said.

"Sometimes, the best customer service is just better internal communication," Chaya said.

The training not only helps employees communicate with each other better, but with customers, and it stresses the importance of product knowledge, and dealing with customers who might be impatient or irritated.

Chaya said good customer service can also lead to more sales -- when employees have good product knowledge and know how to communicate what they know, it helps customers see the benefits of upgraded purchases.

"You want good customer service because you want people to come back, and word of mouth will help get new customers," Chaya said, "but more knowledge can also lead to more sales."

While Turnbull has long had a reputation for good customer service, Hayes said he's never put his employees through this sort of training before. He called the training program a "Turnbull Tune-Up."

"Nobody is perfect," Hayes said. "There's always room for improvement. We never want to fall down on customer service one iota."

"The BEST Center has some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable people and that's what they do -- they help businesses and people be better themselves. That's why it's the BEST Center."

It was scary, Hayes said, to completely shut down his business for half a day, but it was worth it. His answering service reported back that customers understood.

"Who would have thought when we scheduled this four months ago for a heating and air conditioning company, it would have been the hottest day of the year," Hayes said.

"My employees came out of there feeling very comfortable about where they need to go from here with customer service," Hayes added.

Press release:

Genesee Community College will raise tuition by $75 per semester with the 2012-2013 academic year under the college's budget plan approved last Monday evening by the board of trustees.

Current tuition for New York State residents is $1,700 per semester, and it will rise to $1,775 per semester. Tuition for students pursuing study on a part-time basis will rise $5 per credit hour, from $140 to $145.

The board's $37 million budget is a maintenance-of-effort budget, President James M. Sunser told trustees. The budget holds staffing at current levels and minimizes purchases of all but essential equipment. It is the tightest GCC budget in recent memory, Sunser noted.

The board of trustees is requesting that Genesee County, sponsor of the college, increase its support of the college by $50,000 annually, from the current $1.936 million to $1.986 million. Sponsor support represents 5 percent of the college's budget. Over each of the last 30 years, Genesee has operated with the lowest or second-lowest level of sponsor support among all SUNY community colleges.

In recent years, New York State has cut aid to community colleges to pre-2000 levels, putting increased fiscal pressure on SUNY's 30 community colleges. Earlier this year, the State Legislature restored some funding, but aid levels stand where they were 10 years ago.

Genesee's low tuition and fees continue to make Genesee Community College one of the most affordable colleges within the SUNY system, Sunser noted.

In other business May 14, the board of trustees:

•    Named retiring Genesee Community College Professor Carl M. Wahlstrom to the rank of Professor Emeritus. The rank of Professor Emeritus is honorary, and signifies long and distinguished teaching service. Professor Wahlstrom began teaching at Genesee in 1975 and has become of one of the nation's leading authorities on First Year Experience programs and student success. He is a popular speaker at academic conferences and the author of numerous books and papers. He is the recipient of two SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence, and is one of only a handful of community college professors to hold the rank of SUNY Distinguished Professor.

•    Approved a one-year renewal of the college's contract with the Genesee Community College Educational Support Personnel Association, which represents secretaries, clerks, buildings and grounds personnel, safety officers, and other staff. The renewal calls for wage increases of 2.75 percent.

•    Approved the granting of 633 degrees and certificates to students, subject to their satisfactory completion of spring semester studies. This spring, Genesee expects to award eight Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees; 307 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees; 281 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees; and 37 certificates. Students who completed their studies during the 2011-2012 year will be honored at commencement ceremonies today at 1 p.m. at the Batavia campus.

•    Nominated Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino for the New York Community College Trustees Marvin A. Rapp Award for Distinguished Service. The Marvin A. Rapp Award recognizes New York community college trustees who have demonstrated extraordinary service and commitment. Ruffino's colleagues on the board cited his strong leadership, participation in college events, and heavy involvement in campus center development, the Med Tech Centre, construction of the Humphrey Student Union and the GCC Foundation as examples of his commitment and contributions to the college. Trustee Maureen T. Marshall said that Ruffino has exhibited "extraordinary leadership in so many ways."

•    Named 395 area residents to 28 program and campus center advisory committees for the 2012-2013 academic year. Most career-oriented programs at the college, as well as the college's campus centers, have community advisory committees that provide guidance to faculty and staff on curriculum issues, internship and job opportunities for students, and overall program direction. The board named advisory committees for the Arcade Campus Center; Rosalie (Roz) Steiner Art Gallery; The BEST Center; Business Administration and Accounting programs; Communication and Media Arts; Computer Technology; Criminal Justice; Dansville Campus Center; Digital Art; Computerized Drafting and Design; Fine and Performing Arts; Advanced Studies and College Tech Prep; Health and Physical Education; Human Services; LIFE (Life Increases Future Experiences/Liberty Partnership) program; Lima Campus Center; Nursing; Office Technology; Albion and Medina Campus Centers; Paralegal Studies; Perkins Grant program; Polysomnographic Technology; Physical Therapist Assistant; Respiratory Care; Fashion Business; Hospitality and Tourism; Veterinary Technology; and Warsaw Campus Center.

•    Honored Student Trustee Phyllis A. Washburn with a Resolution of Appreciation for her service during the 2011-2012 academic year. Washburn's colleagues thanked her for her active participation in board activities and her constant presence at a variety of college events.

•    Heard Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino appoint a three-member Nominating Committee, which will recommend a slate of board officers for the 2012-2013 year. Named to the Committee were Laurie J. Miller, Chair; Benjamin J. Bonarigo; and Donna M. Ferry.

•    Heard Board Chair Ruffino thank and compliment individuals involved with Inauguration Week for their efforts. Ruffino called the week, April 29 to May 5, "impressive," and said he was especially pleased with the number of community residents who participated in Inauguration Week events. President James M. Sunser thanked the board of trustees and Inauguration Committee for the work they did on Inauguration Day. "I will never forget this," he said. "My whole family was overwhelmed by what you did."

•    Heard Joan Nobile, treasurer of the Student Government Association, report that Genesee's student clubs and organizations had a highly successful year. Nobile said that Genesee now sponsors 50 different student clubs. Highlights of the year include the Business Forum's sponsorship of the Ducky Derby, which raised $2,500 for Genesee Country United Way; accomplishments of the Genesee Cougarettes; the Earth Club's Eco-Fest; the Global Education Club's sponsorship of the sand mandala project and other activities focused on Tibet, the Respect Campaign, the Student Health Awareness Group's Relay for Life, student radio WGCC's mobile DJ service, and Phi Theta Kappa's sponsorship of a presentation by a Fordham University speaker on the subject of emotional intelligence. Nobile said that many club leaders were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments at the May 4 Student Awards Banquet.

•    Heard Dean of Learning Technologies Robert G. Knipe report that representatives of Genesee and five other Western New York community colleges officially launched the Online Western New York Learning Alliance earlier this month. The Alliance (known as "OWL") pools all online degree and course information, promotes all online courses offered by the participating colleges, and makes registration easier for students. So, for example, a Genesee student who wishes to participate in an online course offered by one of the other participating colleges can easily do so, Dean Knipe explained. Each college has a "concierge," or advisor, who answers questions about the OWL courses and helps students register.

"This consortium lets us pool our resources, promote all of our offerings across the region, and helps us serve students much better," Dean Knipe told trustees. Participating community colleges include Genesee, Corning, Erie, Finger Lakes, Jamestown, and Monroe.

GCC President Jim Sunser is going through his first budget process with the college and he told county legislators Wednesday that he would rather not, at this stage, be asking the county for more money.

But, he said, for the sake of maintaining the quality of the institution, the county needs to provide another $50,000 in funding.

The proposed $37 million budget also anticipates the first tuition increase in four years -- raising the price for full-time students by $75 per semester.

"Any new president in his first year as an administrator would enjoy having the luxury of coming to the legislature or the students in the community and saying we're not going to increase funding from any source," Sunser said.

"But I don't think that would be in the best interest of the institution or the students we serve. We're developing an extremely austere budget as it is. I think it's important to take a look at these adjustments so we can maintain the quality of the academic program and the student services we provide."

Sunser met with legislators during the Ways and Means Committee meeting, which GCC hosted in its board room.

Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock said of course the legislature would like to do everything it can to support the college, she isn't sure the money will be available to increase the county government's share of funding.

The county is looking at $1.8 million in increases in mandates expenses such as Medicaid, health care and pensions, which far exceeds any tax increase the county could enact without the State Legislature overriding the tax cap law.

Plus the county is looking at a multimillion bill to repair roads and bridges, some of which will soon be unsafe for autos to driver over.

"These are the things that are frustrating for legislators, because these are the kinds of initiatives we would like to support," Hancock said. "These are very difficult times."

Sunser said the $50,000 increase in the county's share of funding would still represent only about 5 percent of the county GCC's budget.

He said that given the fact that Genesee County's share is the lowest in the state for any single-sponsor community college, the county faces the possibility of losing control of the college without an increase in funding.

As a single-sponsor college, all of the trustees are local residents appointed by the legislator who have a keen understanding of the community's educational needs, Sunser said.

It's possible in the current economic environment that state officials will look at that 5 percent funding level and conclude the county has an outsized amount of authority over the college for the small size of the contribution.

"I want to make sure folks in Albany and else where understand how supportive Genesee County is of the college," Sunser said. "The legislature, the community and the board of trustees devote an inordinate amount of time supporting the college in all kinds of ways. That's a relationship I would like to maintain."

The budget includes 2.75-percent pay increase for faculty and staff, which is mandated by current union contracts.

While the county share of GCC's budget is the smallest in the state, GCC also keeps its budget lower than other community colleges, Sunser said. 

Typically, GCC professors earn less than they might at other nearby community colleges, and that has been a problem recently as the college has tried to get accreditation for its new veterinarian tech program.

The accreditation agency is concerned that while the college has qualified instructors now, the college is not paying salaries that are competitive enough to retain the faculty and then replace them if they leave, which would render students in the program without qualified teachers.

This week, a group of Tibetan monks created a sand mandala in the forum at Genesee Community College. The mandala symbolized love and compassion.

Hundreds of people came through the Batavia campus over the past four days to see the creation of the mandala.

Part of the spiritual message of the mandala is that when it's completed, it's destroyed, to symbolize the temporary nature of life. 

The ceremony included chants and then the mandala was swept into piles and a portion placed into baggies for members of the audience to receive, and a portion placed into ceremonial vessels and then carried to the Tonawanda Creek where the sand was dumped into the flowing water.

Previously: Mandala being created by monks at GCC meant to symbolize love and compassion

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

Genesee Community College welcomes James Sunser, EdD, as the fourth president with inauguration ceremonies beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. They will be held in the Stuart Steiner Theatre on the Batavia campus, located at One College Road.

The keynote address will be delivered by Onondaga Community College President Debbie Sydow, with special remarks by State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, and greetings by numerous dignitaries.

All this week, a number of events and activities that are free and open to the public are scheduled to welcome President Sunser.

For a complete list visit: http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/inauguration/events.cfm

U.S. Attorney for WNY William Hochul spoke to a room of mostly college students this morning at Genesee Community College's Law Day lecture series.

Among the topics covered by Hochul were rules of evidence and what it takes for a prosecutor's conviction to survive a successful appeal.

Earlier in the morning, Genesee County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan spoke.