CBFRC Summary: April 3, 2020

Meeting Summary

April 3, 2020

Present: Lorraine Acker, Priya Banerjee, Eileen Daniel, Alison Dedicke, Peter Dowe, Crystal Hallenbeck, Michael Harrison, Cathy Houston-Wilson, Teresa Major, Kevin Montano, Karen Riotto, Craig Ross, Ed Ryan, Rongkun Shen and Melissa Wight
Guests: Mark Noll, Jacques Rinchard and Scott Rochette

Spring 2020 Items

2020-2021 Fee-Based Budget Presentations, Approval & Submission

The following items were discussed in regards to the 2020-21 Fee-Based Budget Presentations:

SUNY extended the deadline for submissions to 04/26/2020. The original deadline was today.
JPBC reviewed and endorsed our recommendation on 03/26/2020.
The next step is for Ms. Riotto to presentation the committee’s recommendations to President’s Cabinet. This is being scheduled.

2020-21 Course Related Fee Requests, Approval and Submission

Ms. Riotto stated that after Ms. Hallenbeck sent out a request for course fees, there was one submission received for Summer 2020, which was for GEL 490. There was also another submission for Summer 2021, which was for ENV 447/547. With time constraints and a deadline submission of April 1, President’s Cabinet approved that submission of both course fee requests with the understanding that if this committee did not approve the requests, the submission could be rescinded.

GEL 490

The following were the questions, answers and discussion points in regards to GEL 490:

The question was raised regarding how many students would be allowed to go each summer. Dr. Noll stated that currently nine students are registered for the course. There are guidelines for faculty/student ratios and that recommendation is no more than ten to one.
The question was raised if a faculty member from Brockport attends the course with the students. Dr. Noll stated that a faculty member from Brockport does attend.
The question was raised if the course fee includes the travel cost to Montana. Dr. Noll states that the fee does not include travel costs to Montana this is because it was determined that it is cheaper to have students fly out closer to their homes as some students may not be a Brockport student or live in the Rochester area. This also allows us to attract non-Brockport students. Ms. Riotto stated that SUNY did ask why the travel costs from Brockport were not included and she stated that it is due to student preference. As with experience with Global Education, students sometimes want to extend their stay at the location or they wish to take a different route to the location so that they can visit with friends or relatives. Also, even if they were all NYS residents, the rate to fly from JFK, Buffalo and Rochester varies so it would be difficult to determine the fee rate on these variables as well as the ability to coordinate different travel scenarios.
Ms. Riotto added that in the original fee proposal, there was compensation built in for the instructor. This is not allowed per SUNY policy and the fee has been adjusted as a result. Another question that SUNY asked was regarding covering the instructor’s travel cost. Ms. Riotto responded that the instructor is responsible for the students for an extended number of consecutive days for 24 hours a day. The campus believes it is reasonable to be covering the flight of the instructor and the instructor’s room and board. We are awaiting SUNY’s response to the justification.
The question was raised if this course is required or optional. Dr. Noll stated it is now a required course and the change was made a few years ago due to the requirements of the licensure.
The question was raised if there is an alternate course that would fulfill the requirement of the licensure. Dr. Noll stated that for licensure in Pennsylvania, there is a requirement for a field camp course, but in New York State there are options.
The concern was raised regarding having a required course only being offered in the summer. Dr. Noll stated that to his knowledge, none of the courses that fulfill this part of the licensure are offered in the fall and spring semesters and this occurs nationwide. This is because the requirements are full-time. The students are working all day, every day on these courses. This is not something you can do for three hours a week over a course of a semester.
The question was raised given the current situation with COVID-19, what happens if there are still restrictions that prevents this course from proceeding. Dr. Noll stated that discussions have taken place and one option is to move the course to August instead of running in May and June.
The concern was raised regarding the cost of the fee and financial aid eligibility. With this being a three-credit course and if it is the only course the student is taking in the summer, they are ineligible for financial aid. Dr. Noll stated that the fee is lower than a majority of our competitors and the course is needed for the licensure requirement.
The question was raised if the department has checked with Financial Aid to see if these course fee was an eligible expense. Dr. Noll stated he had not. Ms. Major suggested he contact Nora Bell-Owens.
The question was raised if the requirement was changed three years ago, are the current seniors aware this is an expectation for them, what it entails and if there are any students expressing concern over the costs. Dr. Noll stated the students are aware and they are eager to complete the course.

Committee members discussed the following concerns related to the GEL 490 course fee proposal:

Concerns over the expense of the fee and financial aid eligibility.
Concerns over if the material was accurately presented to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and College Senate in a way that it outlined the need for this course to be completed in the summer.
Concerns over having an alternative for the graduating seniors to complete if the restrictions due to COVID-19 do not allow for this field work to happen this summer or an extenuating circumstances that may come up in the future for a student.

These concerns will be sent to the department and the committee will continue to research these concerns while the fee approval is still in process.

Committee members agreed to vote on whether or not they endorse the course fee request for GEL 490. The voting results are as follows:

Endorse – 13
Not Endorse – 0
Abstain – 0

ENV 447/547

The following is the question and answer in regards to ENV 447/547:

The question was raised if someone from Brockport attends the field trip with the students and does the department rent a van. Dr. Rinchard stated that someone from Brockport attends the field trip with the students and they rent a 15-passenger van through the College with a cost of $85 per day.

Committee members agreed to vote on whether or not they endorse the course fee request for ENV 447/547. The voting results are as follows:

Endorse – 13
Not Endorse – 0
Abstain – 0

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact Review

Ms. Riotto reviewed with members the directives from SUNY and the discussions that have occurred on campus regarding spring fees due to COVID-19. SUNY has directed campuses to issue refunds or credits of certain fees. The following are the refunds or credits being given for the spring semester:

Technology Fee – will continue to be charged.
Health Fee – will continue to be charged.
Athletic Fee – will be refunded or credited for 50%.
Campus Recreation Fee – will be refunded or credited for 50%.
Transportation Fee – will be refunded or credited for 50%.
Room and Meal Plans – will be refunded or credited for 50%.
Course Fees – will be reviewed to determine how much material was utilized which will determine the portion of the refund of each course fee. There is a survey out to the Deans to determine the how much of the material has been used and we are waiting for the results.

Ms. Major stated that the default option will be to issue a credit to students for these charges for the Spring 2020 semester. If there is an overage on the account, then a refund will be issued. It has been determined that most families are in need of this money now, therefore this is the best route to take with an option to opt-in if families wish for credits to occur for the Fall 2020 semester. Meal plans and course fee refunds will only be issued for the spring, they will not be able to be used as credits toward the Fall 2020 semester bill. In addition, the opt-in program is in development with IT. Also, the Department of Education said there will not be any negative financial aid impact on students for receiving the refunds.
Committee members also discussed refunds for parking fees. At this time, committee members agreed to a possible two month refund to students of the parking fee. In terms of faculty and staff, members agreed that faculty members can still access their offices and staff (BASC, Research Foundation, Child Care, etc.) that pays over the $25 fee will be reviewed at a later time.
Next Meeting: Friday, April 24, 2020, 8:30-9:30 am

Campus Based Fee Review Committee Action Plan List

Committee Members: Lorraine Acker/Eileen Daniel/Alison Dedicke/Peter Dowe/Crystal Hallenbeck/Michael Harrison/Cathy Houston-Wilson/Teresa Major/Kevin Montano/Karen Riotto/Craig Ross/Ed Ryan/Rongkun Shen

Action	Responsible (Status)
Student Representatives: Submit request to BSG to provide undergraduate and graduate representatives	Ms. Riotto (Completed)
Brockport Downtown Representative: Extend an invite to Kevin Montano to serve as the Brockport Downtown Representative	Ms. Riotto (Completed)
Campus Policy (Course Fee Waiver for 100% Online Courses): Develop a policy for course fee waiver for 100% online courses	Ms. Riotto (Completed)
Campus Policy (Course Fee Waiver for 100% Online Courses): Submit policy for review and approval by the policy committee	Ms. Riotto (Completed)
2018-19 Committee Report: Provide feedback on the report	All members (Completed)
Biennial Review: Follow-up with Scott Haines regarding issues with students wanting to use the SERC and not being charged the fee	Ms. Riotto (Completed)
2020 Fee-Based Budget Presentations: Develop a new qualitative vs. quantitative informational student forum and Call Letter for the forum	Ms. Riotto/Ms. Acker/Dr. Houston-Wilson (Completed)
2020 Fee-Based Budget Presentations: Review locations and times for forum	Mr. Dowe (Completed)
2020 Fee-Based Budget Presentations: Develop a new qualitative vs. quantitative Call Letter for the spring budget presentations	Ms Riotto/Ms Hallenbeck (Completed)
2020 Fee-Based Budget Presentations: Develop feedback form for forum	Ms. Wight (Completed)
CBFRC Website: Develop a website for committee items to be reviewed such as video from student forum, link to SUNY fee comparisons, feedback form, etc.	Ms. Wight (Completed)
Summer 2020 Course Fee Requests: Decide on request for HEA 663	All members (Completed)
Summer 2020 Course Fee Requests: Decide on request for GEL 490	All members (Completed)
Summer 2020 Course Fee Requests: Research concerns for GEL 490	All members (Not started yet)
Summer 2021 Course Fee Requests: Decide on request for ENV 447/547	All members (Completed)
Parking Fee: Discuss refund amount for staff that paid over $25	All members (Not started yet)
Online Course Track Fee Structure: Reach out to other SUNY schools to inquire about their fee structure	Ms. Riotto (In-progress)
Inclusive Access Fee: Small work group to meet to discuss implementation of pilot	Ms. Riotto/Mr. Dowe/Ms. Major (Completed)