[Important Information for Employees] Welcome Back!

[Office of the President]

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well as we begin another exciting academic
year at SUNY Plattsburgh.

This morning, I had the pleasure of welcoming our faculty and staff back to
campus at our annual Fall semester event. As we gathered to reflect,
celebrate, and look forward, I was reminded of the incredible dedication
and passion that each of you brings to our campus community.

Our students are the heart and soul of SUNY Plattsburgh, infusing our
campus with vibrancy and purpose. Their passion for learning and growing is
an inspiration, and it is your hard work and commitment that supports their
journeys every day. For that, I am profoundly grateful.

During this morning’s program, I reaffirmed the core values that guide our
work and define who we are as an institution. These values—Student-centered
Education, Academic Excellence, Critical Inquiry, Affordability and Value,
Stewardship of University Resources, Environmental Sustainability,
Community and Civic Engagement, Diverse People, Experiences, and Ideas,
Integrity, Civility, and Collegiality, and Freedom to Speak, Think, and
Write—are the commitments that will propel us forward as we continue to
strive to make SUNY Plattsburgh a place of opportunity, excellence, and
impact.

Acknowledging Our University Council Members

This morning, I also extended my sincere thanks to our University Council
members. Their support and guidance are invaluable to our campus, and I am
grateful for their continued commitment to our community:

   - Heidi H. Kelly (Acting Chair)
   - Michael Cashman
   - James Coffey
   - Sydney Sue Garrant
   - Anna Liem
   - Christina Ubl
   - Christopher Rosenquest
   - Kalema Gooding

Their presence at this morning’s event underscores the importance of the
work we do together, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in
the year ahead.

Welcoming New Members

We also welcomed new members to our faculty and staff, including Dr. Marcus
Tye, our new Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. I am
confident that their fresh perspectives and energy will further enrich our
work together. Please see the attached list of new employees hired since
May 2024 - and please welcome them to campus and help them feel connected
to our community over the coming weeks.

Acknowledging The President’s Cabinet

Finally, I took a moment to express my gratitude to the members of Cabinet
for their support and dedication to the leadership of SUNY Plattsburgh.

   -

   Dr. Marcus Tye: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
   -

   Karen McGrath:, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
   -

   Allison Heard: Vice President, Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
   -

   Anne Hansen: Vice President for Institutional Advancement
   -

   Magen Renadette: Interim Vice President for Administration & Finance
   -

   Heather Haskins: Executive Director of Strategic Communications &
   Marketing

Their expertise, their commitment to higher education and their shared
belief in our SUNY Plattsburgh mission are crucial to our success.

Enrollment and Admissions Success

I was proud to share how tirelessly our Admissions team has worked over the
past 11 months to achieve remarkable goals. And they have much to be proud
of as well. These efforts, supported across all divisions, have played an
essential role in stabilizing and growing our enrollment. I extended my
deepest thanks to the Admissions team for their great work and to each of
you who support open houses and speak to prospective students and their
families. Your efforts truly make a difference.

I also expressed gratitude to our Financial Aid team, who expertly
navigated the challenges this year caused by the FAFSA fiasco. Thanks to
their incredible collaboration with ITS and Admissions, we achieved
something extraordinary: By mid-April, we were one of the first* two* SUNY
schools system-wide to have full financial aid packages in the hands of
deciding students. We were weeks and months ahead of many others. This
exceptional work helped us stay competitive, meet our students' needs, and
exceed our enrollment targets.

Retention and Student Success Initiatives

Recruiting a new class is only half of the equation; retention is equally
vital to ensuring robust enrollment. This morning, I gave special thanks to
the Orientation Steering Committee, led by Larry Allen, and all the working
groups who developed our new fall orientation pilot. With move-in day and
academic onboarding behind us, we continue to offer over 100 programs
designed to help our students feel a sense of belonging, have a positive
academic transition, and demonstrate to families that SUNY Plattsburgh is
the right choice for their student.

In addition, several new initiatives have been implemented over the past
six months that will significantly impact the success and retention of our
students. The Academic Retention Office (ARO) launched OASIS, a
living-learning community for students with disabilities, and the new ATLAS
program, designed to provide day-to-day support for students by creating a
stronger sense of belonging. We also launched the Accelerate Completion
Through Engagement (ACE) Program, exceeding the SUNY system goals with 207
students participating. Our Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) had a
phenomenal summer academy with 89 participants, all of whom successfully
completed the program.

In June, we opened the new Wellness & Health Promotion Office to provide
integrated programming across eight dimensions of well-being, and we hired
a new professional counselor in the Counseling Center to develop a peer
counseling program to further support our students.

Budget Overview

Regarding our financial outlook, I was pleased to report at our morning
event that SUNY Plattsburgh remains in a solid financial position and
continues to be rated as a financially responsible campus by SUNY Central.
Last fall, we began the fiscal year with a $14 million positive balance in
our state-side operating reserve. The preliminary year-end estimate from
the University Budget Office indicates that this balance has increased
since last year. We are still finalizing the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and I
will share the final balance in my monthly email message once available.

This fall, the University Budget Office will begin evolving our financial
stability plan into an all-funds plan. This approach will provide greater
transparency regarding our overall financial health and show the status of
all major fund sources, such as IFR/Student Fee accounts and DIFFR
(Dormitory) funds. This shift is necessary due to our changing student mix,
including fewer students living on campus and more enrolling in online
programs.

Clinton Community College Update

In my update on Clinton Community College (CCC), I reflected on the
exciting changes ahead. In the fall of 2025, CCC will begin academic
programming at our campus. That means that, in less than a year, we will be
joined by the SUNY Chancellor and CCC leadership at the entrance to Redcay
to mark a new era in higher education delivery in the North Country.

This move signifies a significant shift in how community colleges and
universities collaborate to better serve local communities.

CCC will be housed at 133 Court Street and in the current Redcay Building.
Over the 2024-2025 academic year, we will vacate these buildings. Our
Administration and Finance (A&F) and Academic Affairs teams are actively
working on relocating departments and programs into new spaces, with some
already underway, such as the Department of Gender and Women Studies moving
to 102 Hawkins Hall. This co-location to our campu not only supports CCC's
future but also reinforces SUNY Plattsburgh’s role in educational and
economic development in the region. Expect regular updates as we move
forward with this process.

Recently, Clinton Community College filed a critical monitoring report with
the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a crucial step in
preparing for the campus relocation. A site visit from the Middle States is
anticipated in September.

*Academic Affairs*

I also shared several significant updates about our academic and
operational progress. This past year, SUNY Plattsburgh acted swiftly in
response to the closure of the College of St. Rose, acquiring their social
work accreditation and securing SUNY and NYSED approvals. This allowed us
to advance our own Master of Social Work (MSW) program a full year ahead of
schedule, thanks to the exceptional efforts of Dr. JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig, Dr.
Denise Simard, Dr. Julie Richards, Chair of the School of Social Work, and
then-Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr.
Brent Carbajal.

I highlighted that our new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management
and Master of Science in Accounting degree programs received approval from
SUNY and are now awaiting NYSED approval. We anticipate launching these
programs in the Fall of 2025.

Additionally, I announced the launch of the Human Development and Family
Relations (HDFR) bachelor’s program at our Queensbury Branch Campus this
Fall.

In support of Pillar #4, Student and Business Engagement (SBE), I shared
that, in collaboration with CVPH, Alice Hyde Medical Center, and
Elizabethtown Medical Center, we have begun offering Management Training
workshops and certification to their employees.

I also updated everyone on the ITS team's remarkable work, which included
completing a year-long project to rewrite nearly 1,000 BANNER programs in
preparation for a major upgrade this Fall. Furthermore, I mentioned that
ITS is transitioning the campus away from our 20-year-old telephone
switch/infrastructure to a modern, flexible cloud-based phone solution
provided by Zoom. This transition is expected to save the campus nearly $1
million in equipment costs and will be cost-neutral moving forward.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

During our morning event, I also spoke about the progress made by the
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI). A year ago, ODEI set a
goal for all full-time employees to serve as Equity Advocates by Fall 2026.
I was pleased to report that nearly 200 trained Advocates are now actively
serving on search committees at both the Plattsburgh and Queensbury
campuses. I recognized these Advocates and thanked them for their hard work.

I also highlighted the upcoming Black Solidarity Day on Monday, November 4,
2024, with the theme “Be the Change You Wish to See,” chosen by Black Onyx:
The Black Student Union. I noted that SUNY Central has recognized our Black
Solidarity Day format as a best practice for all 64 SUNY campuses.

In my remarks, I emphasized ODEI’s ongoing efforts to create a safe and
inclusive campus. This includes in-person and online Title IX training and
workshops on reporting bias incidents, harassment, and hate crimes. I also
mentioned our plans to add an accessible lactation pod to campus, building
on the three lactation spaces created last year with support from the
Clinton County Health Department. We were honored to be recognized as a
Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation-Friendly Workplace.

I encouraged everyone to check with ODEI for updates on upcoming
campus-wide activities and initiatives. These achievements would not be
possible without the dedication of many employees, including members of the
TRHT Advisory Board, Title IX Core Team, DIRECT Team, DEI Cultural
Programming Committee, LGBTQIA+ Resource Committee, Black Solidarity Day
Committee, SUNY Plattsburgh Interfaith Alliance, President’s Inclusive
Excellence Council, and the Plattsburgh College Foundation.

Institutional Advancement

I was proud to provide an update on the work of Institutional Advancement
(IA) by sharing that IA, through the Plattsburgh College Foundation (PCF),
provided $1.9 million in scholarships to nearly 900 students, averaging
$2,200 per student, and supported university programs with over $3 million
distributed during FY24.

I also talked about the successful completion of the Thrive Campaign, which
secured $1.5 million in response to a $1 million challenge gift from alumna
Cindy Kansky ’77. This campaign focused on areas of student well-being,
including financial, social, and emotional support. I noted the addition of
125 new red Adirondack chairs across campus, which support student
interaction, meditation classes, and Healing Circles by the Truth, Racial
Healing, and Transformation Center.

Additionally, I highlighted that the development team helped bring in over
$6 million in cash gifts and secured nearly $10 million in legacy gifts,
ensuring long-term support for SUNY Plattsburgh and its students.

Acknowledging Excellence: Faculty/Staff Impact Award Winners & Chancellor
Award Winners

It was an honor to recognize several outstanding members of our community
who have made a significant impact through their dedication and service.

I was proud to acknowledge the recipients of this year's Faculty/Staff
Impact Awards:

   -

   Dr. James Armstrong, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of
   Anthropology
   -

   Emma Bartscherer G’14, Director of the Queensbury Branch Campus

These individuals have gone above and beyond in their roles, contributing
to the success and wellbeing of our students and colleagues.

Additionally, I congratulated the recipients of the prestigious SUNY
Chancellor's Awards:

   -

   Margarita Garcia-Notario: Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
   -

   JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig: Excellence in Professional Service
   -

   Michelle Ouellette: Excellence in Faculty Service
   -

   Heidi Schnackenberg: Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
   -

   Beth Shaughnessy: Excellence in Classified Service
   -

   Michael Walters: Excellence in Teaching
   -

   Yong Yu: Excellence in Teaching

The Chancellor's Awards recognize excellence in areas such as teaching,
professional service, and faculty service. These awardees have demonstrated
exceptional commitment to our institution and the broader SUNY community.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, let us continue to embrace the opportunities
before us, engage in respectful dialogue, and model the values that make
our Cardinal community so special.

Thank you for all that you do for SUNY Plattsburgh. I look forward to all
that we will achieve together this year.

Sincerely,

Alexander Enyedi
President, SUNY Plattsburgh
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