Vice President News from Ian Harper
It’s been just over six weeks since I joined SUNY Brockport, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the incredibly warm welcome I have received. It’s clear that you are all very passionate and committed to the success of the University, and I look forward to working with you as we grow that success. It may be summer, but I know that there is a lot of work underway, whether in construction projects, maintenance activities, groundskeeping, finalizing the 2024-2025 budgets, setting up new purchase orders, recruitment, or addressing cyber-security issues, just to name a few. All are vitally important to the success of the University and it is a lot to be proud of.
Thank you all for everything that you do.
Departmental News
Brockport Information Technology Services (BITS)
BITS Realignment: Effective July 1, 2024, BITS is realigning resources to better serve our community.
BITS will be transitioning the instructional designers, Shari Hardenbrook and Lyndsay Marrone, to The Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELT). Additional organizational changes in BITS will include the development of a new department called Project and Process Management led by Jeff Thompson, Assistant Director, and includes Pat Maxwell and Reddy Anugu. This new department will be focused on managing all technology projects and processes, as well as the communications associated with those efforts. Internally, BITS is realigning the IT Service Desk unit led by Krystal Perlman, Service Desk Manager, and the Technology Support Services unit, led by Tanasee Conner, Assistant Director, which will have a greater focus on enterprise application use such as Banner, Office 365, and software associated with running the University.
Facilities Maintenance and Operations (FMO)
One of our FMO team members was recognized at the 2024 Recognition Dinner, held May 23rd: Reginald Gill of Facilities Maintenance received the Outstanding Service to the University Award for Operations/Facilities! Congratulations, Reg!
Finance & Management / Procurement and Payment Services (F&M/PPS)
Laurie Boyd of Procurement and Payment Services is a new, first time, Grandma of a beautiful baby girl! Her name is Gwynevere Bonnie Boyd, born June 18 at 10:28 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 19 inches! Congrats, Laurie!
Finance & Management / Student Accounts and Accounting (F&M/SAA)
Several members of Student Accounts and Accounting hold Board positions for the NYS Organization of Bursars and Business Administrators (NYSOBBA). Teresa Major and Elizabeth Gorall share current Regional Director responsibilities (Genesee Valley Region), while Colleen Crouse serves as the organization’s Treasurer. These staff members were part of the planning committee for the group’s annual conference, from June 9-12, 2024, where about 130 Student Account employees, Business Office staff, and related vendors converged on Syracuse to learn/discuss hot issues surrounding topics ranging from federal and state regulatory changes, FAFSA simplification, debt collection, and federal Department of Education updates. Colleen, Elizabeth and Teresa facilitated a “Ways to Improve Employee Morale on a Budget” workshop and engaged attendees in a round-table discussion sharing ideas. They also designed and executed a scholarship fundraiser, named “The Totally Lame, Incredibly Fun, Not-At-All-Like-A-real Casino Experience,” (for the John G. Karrer Scholarship), which raised a record dollar total. Games included something resembling roulette, craps and blackjack. Jonathan Stephenson, Federal Aid Specialist, gave up his Sunday to drive to Syracuse and deal blackjack (thank you, Jonathan!).
During the conference, Colleen and Elizabeth each received the NYSOBBA Conference Award, recognizing their incredible efforts throughout the year. Teresa was presented with the President’s Award for Excellence. Next year’s conference will be held in White Plains. Elizabeth, Colleen, and Teresa will once again serve on the conference planning committee.
Upcoming Events
- July 24 (1-4pm) – CSEA Summer Membership Meeting & Picnic at The Lodge in Sweden Town Park – RSVP by July 10
- August 5 (7-8:30pm) – A&F Division Night Staff Dinner Meeting in Cooper Hall’s New York Room
- August 6 (9-10:30am) – A&F Division Day Staff Breakfast Meeting in Seymour Union’s Ballroom
If you have an item you’d like included in a future issue, please send to Laurie Smith (lausmith@brockport.edu).
SUNY Brockport Leadership Newsletters can be found on the Information page for Faculty & Staff (5th topic down).