Student Affairs Annual Report

Schenectady County Community College

Student Affairs Annual Report Highlights From 2010-2011

1

Table of Contents Message From The Vice President For Student Affairs.............................................................................................................................5 Student Affairs Division - An Overview.........................................................................................................................................................6 Student Affairs Is Integral to the Mission and Vision of SCCC...............................................................................................................7 Student Affairs Staff Recognitions in 2010 - 2011.....................................................................................................................................8 Intercollegiate Athletics......................................................................................................................................................................................9 Multicultural and Educational Opportunity Program........................................................................................................................... 10 Academic Advisement..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Counseling Services.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Financial Aid......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Financial Aid Awards and Applications...................................................................................................................................................... 14 SCCC Liberty Partnerships Program............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School..................................................................................................................... 16 Admissions Office............................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 ADA Transition Services................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Student Veterans Office................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 SCCC Career and Counseling Center........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Campus Life and Safety.............................................................................................................................................................................. 20-21 Career and Employment Services................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Student Government Association................................................................................................................................................................ 23

3

4

Message From The Vice President For Student Affairs The Division of Student Affairs is honored to present its 2010-2011 Annual Report. This report summarizes an incredible year of great accomplishments by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of professionals. As we welcomed the largest enrollment in the history of SCCC, it was essential that we adjust our services to ensure a quality student life experience for our growing population.

This annual report complements our institutional mission as well as the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. The Student Affairs staff is dedicated to providing services and activities to support student success both in and out of the classroom environment. Our primary objective is to provide a vibrant, welcoming and encouraging learning environment for all.

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, I invite you to review the accomplishments of the 2010-2011 year.

These accomplishments, in addition to the Student Affairs Assessment planning process, remind us of the positive impact our programs, services and activities have on our campus community.

We are proud to be an integral part of the SCCC Royals!

Sincerely,

Martha J. Asselin Vice President of Student Affairs

STUDENTS ARE OUR PRIORITY The Student Affairs mission and philosophy are based on the following: STUDENTS ARE …the most important persons on campus; and, without them there is no need for this institution. …not cold enrollment statistics but persons with feelings and emotions like our own. …not persons to be tolerated permitting us to do our thing; but the sole reason for our being. …not dependent upon us; rather, we are dependent upon them. …doing us a favor by providing us opportunities to serve them. We appreciate the honor to serve. …not interruptions of our work; but they are the sole purpose of it.

5

Student Affairs Division- An Overview The Student Affairs Division at SCCC provides a diversity of programs and services focused on assisting SCCC students in successfully fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. Student Affairs fosters the principle that a student’s total educational experience embraces quality instruction shared with valuable opportunities that facilitate intellectual and personal growth, fulfillment, and a sense of community. Our dedicated Student Affairs staff advances our institutional efforts to maintain a safe, positive, respectful and healthy community. The Student Affairs staff encourages students to explore the different aspects of student life while building their own personal and remarkable SCCC experience. Students are our priority.

The Student Affairs Division assumes a major responsibility for helping to create a positive campus environment that enhances and supports learning. The quality of student life is significantly affected by the availability, variety, and integrity of services, resources, and extra academic support programs on campus. Alliances are built between the classroom and campus life to provide an opportunity for students to experience the excitement and responsibility that comes from being an active member of a community of higher learning.

Student Affairs is comprised of the various offices that include: Admissions, Academic Advisement, ADA Transition Services, Athletics, Campus Life and Safety, Career and Employment Services, Counseling, Educational Opportunity Program and Multicultural Affairs, Financial Aid, Liberty Partnerships Programs, Student Activities, SUNY Career and Counseling Center, and Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School. The operations and functions of each office embrace the SCCC mission while addressing the institutional strategic plan, Middle States accreditation and student success.

6

Student Affairs is Integral to the Mission and Vision of SCCC The vision, mission, and values of the Division of Student Affairs are an extension of the College’s mission, vision, and values.

Institutional Mission - Schenectady County Community College provides quality, comprehensive education for transfer, careers, training and workforce development to a diverse population in a student-centered environment. We are committed to accessible and affordable education. Utilizing innovative practices and contemporary technology, SCCC fosters success through excellence in teaching and support services.

Institutional Vision - Schenectady County Community College is committed to being a premier community college that empowers individuals to reach their greatest potential through exceptional and innovative education and training.

The committed Student Affairs staff serves as partners in pursuit of institutional goals and objectives. With tremendous pride and dedication these individuals pursue the institutional vision, mission, and values.

Student Affairs Mission - The mission of the Division of Student Affairs is to provide opportunities for student engagement, learning and discovery in a diverse environment that will optimize their college experience and prepare individuals to serve a global community.

Student Affairs Vision - The vision of the Division of Student Affairs is to create an unparalleled experience where students embrace learning and diversity to become leaders in the service of the global community.

Student Affairs Values - As members of an inclusive community, we value excellence in our programs and services, as well as in our student achievements. We support the core values identified by the College as essential for institutional effectiveness to include: Student Success, Leadership/Teamwork, Assessment, Access, Diversity, Partnerships and Collaboration, Civility and Service, Lifelong Learning, Respect for Self and Others, Informed Decision Making, Student Centeredness, and Engagement.

7

Student Affairs Staff Recognitions in 2010 - 2011 The Hispanic Coalition of New York State recognized Jason Benitez, Coordinator of Multicultural and Educational Opportunity Program, as one of New York’s Top 40 Rising Latino Stars Under 40.

Margaret Anne Williams, Nontraditional Student Counselor, and Dawn Jones, Nontraditional Student Career Specialist, had their submission titled, “Integrating Nontraditional and Special Populations Outreach Into Everyday Practices” selected for the SUNY Community Colleges 2010-11 Best Practices. Their submission will be included in a publication that is expected to be released this fall.

Dr. Ellen Wertlieb, Coordinator for ADA Transition Services, and Robert Frederick, Coordinator for Career and Employment Services, presented at the Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) 11th Annual Conference at part of a “Best Practices Panel.”

Martha Asselin, Vice President of Student Affairs, was recognized in March 2011 by the YWCA of Schenectady with a “Women of Achievement Award.”

Walter Simpkins, Admissions Advisor, was recognized in our community with the “ UJIMAA (Swahili word for extended family) Journey” Award in recognition of his dedicated service to Schenectady County.

8

Intercollegiate Athletics Athletics Office: The Athletics Office seeks to foster an environment that will provide student athletes and the campus community with the opportunity to develop their full potential academically, athletically and physically. Through athletics, we strive to teach lifelong skills such as discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, self-control, cooperation, hard work, playing by the rules and respect for authority through athletic competition and recreational activity. Intercollegiate athletics is open to all students meeting the eligibility requirements of the National Junior College of Athletics Association (NJCAA), the College and the Athletics Office. SCCC has varsity teams in basketball (men and women), baseball (men), bowling (men and women) and crew (women). All are invited to cheer on the SCCC Royals at all events.

Great Year for Intercollegiate Athletics: Thanks to the collaboration with our community, the SCCC Women’s and Men’s Basketball programs kicked off the season with a new home court located in the Schenectady YMCA and the Men’s Baseball Team kicked off the season with a new home field located in Central Park.

Men’s Baseball: The SCCC Men’s Baseball team made it to the “Final Four” of the Region III baseball playoffs. They beat local rival HVCC in the event. They were led by First Team All-American Billy Creighton, who was also named the Player of the Year in the region, and Sean Whitty, who was named to the NJCAA Academic All-American Team as well as being named Academic All-Region.

Men’s Basketball: The SCCC Men’s Basketball team made it to the “Elite Eight” of the Region III basketball playoffs. They were led by sophomores Chris Lewis and Anthony Wilson who were named to the All-Region Team and All-Conference Teams respectively.

Women’s Basketball: The SCCC Women’s Basketball team had a successful season led by freshman center Christine Volans who was named to the All-Conference Team and Alisha Davis who was named to the NJCAA Academic All-American and Academic All-Region Teams.

Assessment updates from Athletics: The enhanced efforts for student-athlete retention had promising results; 85 percent of all student athletes maintained eligibility from fall to spring (up 5 percent from the previous year).

Mission statement for intercollegiate athletics (developed in Spring 2011): To provide an opportunity for students to participate in a competitive intercollegiate athletic program where they can test their athletic skills, develop leadership qualities and be part of a group striving for a common goal.

9

Multicultural and Educational Opportunity Program Educational Opportunity Program and Multicultural Affairs: The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) assists talented students whose educational and economic circumstances present a challenge to goal achievement by opening the door to a lifetime of career options, professional advancement and personal enrichment. EOP serves students who have the potential and motivation for academic success by providing aid and academic support services. The Multicultural Affairs Office creates a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment based on knowledge, acceptance and respect for all. We teach and foster understanding and appreciation of different ways of life shared by groups of people through intellectual discourse, leadership and social justice.

Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP) Funding Renewed for 2010-2011: This grant funding was slightly decreased from the previous year, to $69,000. In addition, a request for additional funding for a summer program was approved by SUNY. Number Of EOP Students Served: EOP served 95 students this academic year. EOP Tutoring services saw a significant increase in tutor usage from the year before with over 80 students accessing tutoring services throughout the year.

Number of EOP Graduates and Special Recognitions: 17 EOP students graduated from SCCC in May 2011. Freshman EOP student Kiara Shelley was presented with the Schenectady Silhouettes’ Scholarship Award. EOP student Jondelle Jardine received the Prescott A. Brown Memorial Scholarship. EOP student David Van Natten received the Charles Mills and Irene Prazak Memorial Scholarship. EOP student Lincoln Dwarika received the Schenectady Job Service Employer Committee Scholarship for Aviation. And EOP student Yogeswari Sasangan received the Ethel Harder Steiner Memorial Scholarship. Also four EOP students made the President’s List this academic year and 12 made the Dean’s list.

Chuck D Came to SCCC: The Office, working collaboratively with the Community and Cultural Events Committee, the Student Government Association and the Faculty-Student Association, sponsored “Chuck D,” leader of legendary rap group Public Enemy, as a Kick-Off Event for Black History Month.

10

Academic Advisement Academic Advisement: Academic Advisors help students evaluate their educational plans, answer questions about exploring major fields, assist students with course selection and degree audit review, and provide general information about academic policies and procedures. When it is necessary, academic advisors also refer students to appropriate campus resources. Services are designed to assist students in achieving academic and personal success through informed decision-making and academic planning.

Bringing Technology Into Academic Advisement: This year saw many great advances with regard to academic advisement. Working collaboratively with the Registrar, students can now access their academic records and information online. In addition, students use their pin number to complete the academic advisement process from their homes. To enhance the ways Student Affairs professionals connect with students, two new modes of technology are being utilized: a) Academic Advisement is now offered through the capabilities of SkypeŽ. The pilot for this project began in January 2011and this type of communication has been growing in interest. Students, from any location, can meet “face to face� with an academic advisor/counselor. b) In addition to the SCCC Facebook page, a new Facebook page for Academic Advisement has been created to give students yet another avenue to get their advisement-related questions answered. (This can be found at SCCC Academic Advisement: http://sunysccc.edu/socialmedia.

Summer Academic Advisement Center Introduced: In response to various assessments conducted during the past two years, the Academic Advisement Center has been enhanced to meet the needs, the traffic and the requests of our students; especially during the summer months. The Terrace Conference Room located in Elston Hall 222 has been transformed into an Academic Advisement Center for the summer months. Five adjunct faculty members were hired to assist the Student Affairs Academic Advisement staff during the summer to address the intense academic advisement needs of our students. In addition, SCCC will have a team of three full-time professional academic advisors commencing Fall 2011. This is just another way we are responding to our institutional growth with a close eye on retention.

11

Counseling Services Counseling Services: Counseling services at Schenectady County Community College are available to provide support and direction to students as they pursue their educational goals. Personal counseling is a cooperative venture that offers students guidance and an opportunity to talk about personal, social and academic matters in a safe and confidential setting. Personal counseling is designed to help students address individual concerns that might interfere with academic success and satisfaction, educational aspirations, and social development. Counselors offer crisis intervention, brief solution-oriented counseling, and referrals to other agencies, services, or professionals in the Capital Region. Counselors assist students to identify, understand, and develop skills that will help the individual be more capable of solving future problems on his or her own.

Counseling is an educational process that empowers individuals to learn new skills and new ways to look at situations and develop solutions.

SCCC Counseling BLOG: Robyn Posson, Counselor, has created a blog that will address the many issues which prompt students to seek counseling, and will include topics which focus on holistic wellness. A blog is added weekly to address specific topics (such as anxiety and anxiety disorders, personal space, positive attitude, stress management). The SCCC Counseling blog can be found at: http://fromthecounselorsdesk.blogspot.com.

12

Financial Aid Financial Aid Office: The primary purpose of this office is to help provide financial assistance, within available resources, to those students who, without such assistance, would be unable to attend SCCC. The dedicated staff works with students to develop an understanding of financial aid and navigate through the application process.

Increase in Web Access: Students may now access the Banner Self Service site to review their financial aid eligibility. Students may review any outstanding documentation requirements, review financial aid awards, accept or decline their loans and/or work study awards online, review their check disbursement amounts, and review their prior year financial aid awards.

NEW Common Application for Scholarships Introduced in 2011: Applying for scholarships has been made easier than ever before. Students now have a Common Application and one essay to submit (along with other information), all available online. This made the process more accessible to students and resulted in an increase in scholarship applications by 42 percent. $70,000 Awarded in Foundation Scholarships at Honors Convocation: This year we had the highest amount of scholarships awarded to students at Honors Convocation. This is a large increase over previous years.

In addition to these awards, SCCC student Theresa Taylor was selected to receive up to $30,000 per year for the next two years from the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program as she transfers into her bachelor’s degree program.

The NEW Mohawk Honda Scholarship: This scholarship was introduced and awarded this year for the first time. Mohawk Honda of Scotia wishes to recognize a full-time student who graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School and will be entering SCCC in Fall 2011 with a scholarship of $7,800 for over two years.

Financial Aid Has a New Look: In response to recommendations made by students and in the SCCC Middle States Report, the Financial Aid Office has moved “out of the hallway” and into an inner office. The office can now provide a better office atmosphere for students and a more private setting for them to discuss their financial aid questions.

NEW Emergency Assistance Fund For Women Introduced: Beginning in January 2011, female students who meet specific criteria and are experiencing an emergency or crisis situation were eligible for emergency financial assistance for up to $500. These funds are made available through the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region. During Spring 2011, six awards totaling $2,650 were given to women in an emergency situation.

TAP Certification Process Enhanced: With collaborative efforts among the Registrar, Financial Aid, Academic Advisement and Institutional Technology, the TAP certification process saw a programming facelift. A new process for the institution to capture data and identify eligibility was designed and has improved the reporting efforts. This was a tremendous achievement given the process formerly was entirely manual. The certification process continues to be evaluated to increase efficiency and ensure accuracy.

13

Financial Aid Awards and Applications Show Steady Increase Since 2008-9:

Total Financial Aid Awarded in:

2008-09

$12,594,389

2009-10

$16,702,773 (32% increase over 2008-09)

2010-11

$18,866,188 (50% increase over 2008-09)

Federal Pell Grants Awarded in:

2008-09

$4,346,912

2009-10

$7,121,938 (60% increase over 2008-09)

2010-11

$9,232,259 (112% increase over 2008-09)

Number of Financial Aid Applications:

2008-09

4,508

2009-10

5,419

2010-11

5,969 (32% increase over 2008-09)

14

SCCC Liberty Partnerships Program Liberty Partnerships Program: The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) is founded on the belief that students will achieve academic success and lead productive lives as adults if they are provided with support, encouragement, information and effective interventions. This program is designed to offer these opportunities to students in fifth- through 12th-graders in the Schenectady City School District who are at risk of dropping out of school for many reasons, including unsatisfactory academic performance, inconsistent school attendance and/or behavioral problems.

The SCCC Liberty Partnership Program (SCCC LPP) grant funding was renewed in 2010-2011 for $210,636. The state funded the SCCC LPP program at the same level as the previous year, even at a time when other grants were being decreased.

SCCC LPP Selected as the Only Community College in Statewide Pilot Project: SCCC LPP was chosen as a pilot site for the LPP Empire State Accelerate Project (ESAP). The project’s primary goal is to create a new, accelerated path for skills development and higher achievement and expectation for New York State low-income urban and rural-suburban youth beginning in grade five.

LPP Successfully Serves Capacity: For the first time in many years, our LPP program has successfully reached the maximum number of students to be served (a target of 169 students from the Schenectady City School District) prior to the end of the school year. Staff have done an exceptional job making it “Cool to be in LPP.” 2011 Empire Promise Summit: Four SCCC LPP students were selected to attend the Empire Promise Summit held in April 2011, hosted by the statewide LPP. One student, Omanand Bookay, was awarded an LPP Regional All-Star Award at the Summit for his exceptional performance in academics, attendance, and service to others.

Participation and Attendance Increases in Middle School LPP: The LPP middle school program for OMS, MPMS, and CPIMS has seen a huge rise in participation and attendance, due in part to a joint partnership with the Schenectady YMCA. Eighty-five percent of these students improved their grades over the course of the year!

Summer Employability Job Training Program: Fourteen students are participating in the Certificate of Employability Job Training Program, provided by the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce. It is a 30 hour training program in which students learn the soft skills needed to be good employees.

15

Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School: Schenectady Smart Scholar Early College High School (Schenectady SSECHS), which began in September 2010, is a mutual partnership between the State University of New York (SUNY), Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and Schenectady High School (SHS) with the intent to establish a collaborative learning and teaching environment for 100 ninth grade students. All partners are committed to facilitating positive, transformational changes and providing a successful and wide reaching program for a target student population that is traditionally underrepresented in college. The goal is for students enrolled in Smart Scholars to graduate from high school with a Regents Diploma and to successfully transition into college with at least 20 credit hours earned and transferred.

Year One Has Been a Success: The Schenectady Smart Scholars ECHS program experienced a tremendous first year as a ninth-grade team and learning community. Student GPAs were tops among the other ninth-grade teams at Schenectady High School (SHS). The 100 ninth-graders participated in various SCCC academic and campus activities such as Compass placement testing and attending Black History Month lectures and various presentations.

Summer College Credit Classes: Current Schenectady Smart Scholars incoming ninth-graders and 10th-graders are enrolled in summer college classes. These students will be earning college credit through dual enrollment courses this fall with SCCC and SHS. Second Cohort for Schenectady Smart Scholars Approved With STEM Focus: SCCC and SHS were selected by the New York State Education Department to receive an award of $319,565 to serve an additional 50 Smart Scholars in ninth grade annually beginning in summer 2011. This cohort will engage in an academic community environment that highlights STEM focused learning.

Retirement of the Schenectady Smart Scholars ECHS Principal: Paul Scampini, BIS House Principal, retired in June 2011 and was given a big send off from the students. He was a great proponent of Smart Scholars ECHS and will be greatly missed.

Freshmen Class of 2014 Presented With Backpacks Filled With School Supplies: The Junior League of Schenectady and Greater Saratoga sponsored the first class of the Schenectady Smart Scholars ECHS through a community service project that provides each ninth-grader with a new backpack filled with school supplies. Backpacks were presented in August 2010 at the Kick-Off Ceremony held at the SCCC campus.

Junior League of Schenectady and Greater Saratoga Team Up with Student Affairs at SCCC to Present Kids in the Kitchen Program: The Kids in the Kitchen Program was a wonderful opportunity for the Schenectady Smart Scholars ECHS students to experience the comprehensive culinary program at SCCC. The 15 students who participated, along with their family members who attended the dinner, learned that healthy food is not only easy to prepare but tastes great too. The students worked well with the teams of SCCC Culinary A.A.S. students who provided guidance, advice, and instruction on the preparation and serving of the food.

16

Admissions Office Admissions Office: The Admissions Office is the starting point for all new degree and certificate-seeking students. The Office processes applications for admission, accepts qualified applicants, and assists students in signing up for new student registration programs. Our professional staff is continually traveling, visiting high schools, human service agencies, fairs, and festivals to promote SCCC, its quality programs and dynamic campus life.

Admissions Has a New Look: As recommended in the Middle States Report and in various assessments conducted over the course of the past three years, the Admissions Office moved from Elston Hall on Dec. 17, 2010, into its new, centrally located office in the Stockade Building. SCCC has a new state-of-theart reception station and ground floor location that truly serves the needs of our incoming students, families and visitors to the Admissions Office.

SCCC College Fairs Take on New Twist: Admissions engaged in its first ever online college fair, College Week Live on May 10, 2011. One hundred and twenty six prospective students visited the SCCC booth and chatted in real time with several members of the Student Affairs Division. Admissions is planning on participating in more of these fairs next year based on the great success this current year.

High School Instant Admit Applications Are Up: The Admissions Office increased our high school instant admit applications by 30 percent to 499 this current year FIRST TIME EVER Midnight Madness at SCCC: The Admissions Office will burn the midnight oil and hold an insanely fun “Midnight Madness” event, where staff will be available and accepting applications until midnight on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Admissions Presents Pathways to Partnerships: The Admissions Office hosted two “Pathways to Partnerships” programs, which matched community leaders of two groups, the Guyanese and Latino populations, with key SCCC administrators and faculty. These sessions allowed for constructive dialogue on how to better serve these populations.

New Student Registration (NSR) Programs Revisited: The NSR process was streamlined to make it a shorter, more pleasurable program for our new students. We also added the flexibility of offering students who could not attend a program to come in at their own convenience.

Admissions Advisory Board Participated in Program Review: The SCCC Admissions Advisory Board met three times this year and guided the Admissions Office through the complexities of the physical move and critical enrollment issues. At the June meeting, the board began the process of a program review assessment.

How we Excelled in 2010-2011:

• Admissions expanded community outreach with 32% more events over previous year

• Spring 2011 yield rate for new, full-time students was 52.9%

• In Fall 2010, enrolled record high numbers: yield was 47.6% full-time and 49.5% part-time.

Admissions Mission Statement: (developed in Spring 2011): Welcome to admissions. This is your first step in taking advantage of the excellent academic opportunities available to you. We take pride in helping prospective students navigate the admissions process in an efficient, courteous, and stress-free manner.

17

ADA Transition Services Project ShIFT (Shaping Inclusion through Foundational Transformation): This was the second year of a three-year United States Department of Education demonstration project designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive a quality higher education. Dr. Wertlieb, in collaboration with campus faculty, instilled the principles of universal design in teaching so as to strengthen excellence in teaching and learning.

Alliance for Students with Disabilities (ASD): Celebrating its second year as a student organization, the ASD sponsored various awareness activities that included an Abilities Awareness Week and a Diversity Panel.

The group assisted the Spina Bifida Organization with sponsoring a “Walk-n-Roll for Spina Bifida� benefit on the College campus.

Peer Mentoring Program: Working collaboratively with Career and Employment Services, a peer mentor program was established and had great success. The goal of peer mentoring is to provide new students a nonthreatening point of contact to obtain information about negotiating their educational experience.

An ADA Transition Services Student Survey was conducted in Spring 2011. Results are being used to further enhance programs and services provided through the ADA Transition Services Office.

The ADA Transition Services Advisory Board conducted an assessment of building accessibility. Working collaboratively with the Campus Safety Council, new measures were taken to enhance evacuation procedures.

18

Student Veterans Office The Federal Veterans Affairs Office selected SCCC for a Student Veterans Program and provided one Student Work Study for the 2010-2011 academic year. The program serves our student veterans and helps to connect them with services on campus and off. The success of the program was demonstrated in June when the Student Affairs Office received word that the program has been extended for the upcoming year and will include three work study students for 2011-2012.

SCCC Career and Counseling Center SUNY College and Career Counseling Center: The SUNY College and Career Counseling Center (SUNYCCCC) provides career and educational counseling services to Capital District residents 16 years or older interested in making decisions about their educational and career goals. The center is located at the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority’s Family Investment Center. The center provides referral and placement services to various educational and employment training resources in the Capital District and elsewhere in New York State. The College offers technical assistance to those individuals interested in applying for college admissions, securing financial aid and pursuing employment or training opportunities.

Banner Implementation Completed: Banner Implementation was completed in Fall 2010, making SUNYCCCC one of two Educational Opportunity Centers within SUNY to complete this initiative. The program is considered a “model program.”

19

Campus Life and Safety Campus Life and Safety: SCCC strives to advance a safe and intellectually challenging setting in an environment that continuously educates all on the Student Code of Conduct, academic integrity, student rights and responsibilities, the Critical Incident Management Plan, policies and procedures.

Assessments Conducted to Ensure Safety: Multiple assessment tools were used during the year that included an assessment of perceptions on campus safety, SCCC Annual Employee Safety/Security Survey (December 2010), Schenectady Fire Department Command Officer Survey of Elston Hall Complex (August 2010), Center for Disabled Survey for ADA compliance (September 2010), Disabled Emergency Evacuation survey of Areas of Refuge (November 2010).

Training and Development Exercises: The following exercises were conducted:

n Clery Act Compliance Webinar (August 2010)

n Lost Student Exercise (February 2011)

n Drill on Pandemic Point of Dispensing (POD) (February 2011)

n Violence in the Workplace seminar at SUNY Cobleskill (June 2011)

n Procedures for assessing plans and procedures (October 2011)

n Workshop on emergency evacuation for disabled individuals

n National Weather Service program on Mohawk River Flooding and forecast for Spring Flooding Potential

n Two training programs for assisting Disabled during emergency evacuation

n NIMS Basic ICS training for CSC members

n Joint exercise with Union College on emergency response procedures for Natural Disasters SCCC Fire Educator Award Introduced: In November 2010, the Annual Melvin E. Bartlett Jr. Fire Safety Educator Award was awarded for the first time to two SCCC alumni for their High School Fire Safety Training Program.

Inspections and upgrades:

n The annual Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) Inspection was conducted in December 2010 with all recommendations addressed successfully by August 2011

n Also, five Fire Tower exit doors in the Begley Building were replaced SCCC Critical Incident Management Plan (CIMP) Revised: The CIMP was completely reviewed and upgraded with additions of sections on suicide response, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS) and levels of emergency response.

New Safety Equipment Installed: The following safety equipment was purchased and installed on campus:

n Stairchairs for safely evacuating persons with mobility impairments

n Five new AEDs (automatic electronic defibrilators), one for each building on campus

n Blue lights/emergency phones around campus

n Seven “Blue Light” Emergency notification stations

n Additional Security cameras SCCC’s Workplace Violence Policy, developed by the Campus Safety Council in collaboration with the College community, was approved by the SCCC Board of Trustees this year.

20

Training: College Response Team Members successfully participated in training in a variety of subjects including Clery Act Compliance, Violence in the Workplace, NIMS ICS Procedures, Emergency Evacuation for Disabled Individuals, and a National Weather Service program on Mohawk River Flooding.

Campus Safety Council’s First Student Internship is a Success: Elizabeth R. Varsany exemplifies the model of a returning student. She is an honor student majoring in the Emergency Management A.A.S. degree program seeking to change careers after 13 years in commercial sales. She is a natural leader. In September 2010, Elizabeth was appointed as a student representative on the SCCC Campus Safety Council (one of only two campus-wide) and actively participated. In October 2010, Elizabeth accepted the challenge of becoming a student intern supporting Campus Safety Initiatives. She demonstrated excellence in researching and developing a chemical Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) identification listing system; Emergency Operation Center (EOC) planning and preparation; and Disabled Emergency Evacuation Assessment. She also provided support and outstanding research with major revisions to the SCCC Critical Incident Management Plan (CIMP) and NIMS training for the College Response Team (CRT).

An updated Student Code of Conduct was developed and received Board of Trustee approval in July 2011.

21

Career and Employment Services Career and Employment Services: Education alone does not guarantee employment. Employers seek to hire people who have invested time and energy in perfecting their skills, achieving goals, and working successfully with others. Career and Employment Services helps students navigate the world of work by establishing community partnerships that offer strategies to master talents, behaviors and knowledge.

Internships, volunteer and seasonal work and professional associations are opportunities to further growth as students become experts in their fields of study.

The Speed Networking Program offers students a unique approach to preparing and practicing their communication and networking skills while interacting with business professionals in various public environments and business settings. Approximately 300 students participate each year through class or club involvement. Other beneficiaries of this program include Youth Build, RealJobsNY and three other area colleges that created their own programs using ours as a model.

With assistance from teaching faculty, we are transitioning our Job Fairs into Professional Development Conferences that target unique career clusters. Over the last few years, our events for Hospitality, Public Safety and Government Services, Human and Community Services and the Technologies have incorporated more professional speakers along with demonstrations and case studies to broaden the learning value of this event, especially to those already working, who have an interest in expanding their knowledge and networks. Over 800 students and alumni attended these events.

The Office led the successful transition to a new career management software (College Central Network) that will seamlessly connect to a new Capital Region portal that provides an efficient means for Capital Region organizations to post jobs and internships to area college students.

We received the approvals and initial funding to transform office space into a new student center called the Opportunity Zone that will be utilized by various Student Affairs offices. The space will be targeted to accelerating students’ attainment of specific opportunities they wish to pursue through individual and group work.

22

Student Government Association Student Activities Office - Student Activities complements students’ academic experiences by providing services and resources that engage students in creating campus culture through social, cultural, intellectual, spiritual, athletic, recreational, artistic, political, and service opportunities. Our commitment is to provide quality advising, resource materials, leadership development and governance opportunities, and administrative support services to impact students’ growth and development and enhance the success of each student organization.

EIGHT New Student Clubs and Organizations Formed and Recognized - The Student Government Association Senate approved eight new student clubs and organizations this year bringing the total to 31 different clubs and organizations at SCCC. The new clubs are: • Cheerleading club • Clown Club • Father Time Club • History Club • IE3 Club • SCCC Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Student/Alumni Club • Students For Social Consciousness • Student Veterans of America Volunteer Activities this year included TWO major fundraising walks to support great causes:

WALK-N-ROLL FOR SPINA BIFIDA (held in March 2011)

MARCH FOR BABIES - MARCH OF DIMES WALK (held in May 2011) DEBUT OF “SCCC Presents MasterMinds” - Proctors, SCCC and the SCCC Student Government Association have joined forces to produce SCCC presents MasterMinds, based on the popular TV show MasterMinds. The show, available in 16 one-hour episodes, will be broadcast via local public access stations via OSM at Proctors and pits high school contestants against one another. Sixteen hours of programming for the show were shot over a rigorous shooting schedule of four days. The planning of the show, however, took two months. All aspects of production were handled in house at Proctors: set design, lighting, motion graphics, crew management, show packaging and post-production.

SCCC presents MasterMinds is made possible through the generous support provided by Paul Mitchell the School - Schenectady, Capital Region BOCES, Mohawk Color, Mohawk Sign System, NAQT, Shenise Productions, Albany Times Union, WAMC Northeast Public Radio and Upstate Independents. For more information, please visit http://www.proctors.org/masterminds.

23

24

Schenectady County Community College 78 Washington Avenue Schenectady, New York 12305 www.sunysccc.edu