Present: Lorraine Acker, Qudus Bawa-allah, Eileen Daniel, Peter Dowe, Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall – Co-chair, Rachael Killion, Susan Lowey, Teresa Major, Nicole Parkison, Logan Rath – Co-chair, Rongkun Shen and Melissa Wight
Regrets: Michael Harrison and Lisa Robusto-Mack
Guest: Kathy Peterson
Welcome and Introductions
Members completed formal introductions.
Discussion of Nursing Course Fees Revenue/Expense Worksheet
Members reviewed the worksheet. The following questions, answers and discussion points occurred:
- The question was raised regarding if there is an expected increase for the ELNEC fee. It was stated that an increase is not expected.
- The question was raised regarding whether all Nursing students are required to take NUR 342. It was stated that this course is a pre-licensure course and all students in the accelerated and traditional programs take this course as it is a pre-req for all of the other courses.
- The question was raised regarding what the applesauce, Tic Tacs and Smarties are used for. It was stated that applesauce is used to learn how to give medicine to children. The Tic Tacs are used as medicine.
- The question was raised regarding what the inventory is for supplies and do we buy enough for the year. It was stated that it depends because there is not a lot of storage. The department does not buy for years. They do buy bulk when they are able to store items.
- The question was raised regarding the operational costs of the program and how we can limit the costs being put on students. It was stated that some of the fees were requested by the department to be paid by the Dean and Provost’s offices and the department was told to make it a course fee. The department is working with Advancement to get donors to create a fund for emergency funds needed by students to cover course fees, gas and parking expenses. In addition, students purchase their uniforms through the Bookstore so that they can utilize financial aid to buy the uniforms.
- The question was raised regarding if our fees are comparable to our competitors. It was stated that other SUNY schools do have to assess the same fees.
- The question was raised regarding what planning is being done for equipment replacement. It was stated that the department has been using the Provost and Dean’s replacement funds. The department has also utilized some of the Investment Funds to replace equipment. When the department is able, they bank money from the course fees and the department currently has around $8,000 in reserves. If a leg needs to be replaced on a manikin, it is a $5,000 expense. The department did have $20,000 in reserves at one point, but funds needed to be used to replace items. With the new space in Hartwell, we have $2.5 million in construction funds for equipment replacement. In addition, SUNY had $2 million to invest in simulation. We received $150,000 last year and $80,000 this year to use towards our simulation equipment. There is a concern with equipment replacement because there is no real plan.
- The question was raised regarding why there was a significant balance on account 900085. It was stated that at the point in time the report was taken, we had not been billed yet.
The following items were discussed among member regarding the Nursing course fees:
- The question was raised regarding if uniforms were the only financial aid eligible item and if other items are out of pocket costs. It was stated that all course fees are aid eligible. It was added that if a student has extra fees, they can go to Financial Aid and file an appeal to have their budget increased because they can prove they had additional expenses over and above the average standard that the Financial Aid budget is created upon. This depends on if they have room in their budget and depending on how much room they have, it may not cover the entire expense.
- The concern was stated that the Golden Eagle Opportunity Fund Committee receives a lot of requests to cover expensive textbook codes for Nursing students and this expense does not appear to the covered by any of the course fees. It was stated that the textbook codes are usually for the online homework pieces. It is unfortunately not something that the Library can obtain. When the Library is aware of what is needed, the item is not really expensive and it will be used by a number of students, they will try to purchase.
- The question was raised that the understanding was the textbook codes are student specific and cannot be used by more than one student so the Library cannot purchase them to be used by more than one student. It was stated that is the issue. The Library can sometimes buy the digital version of the print text, but usually the student has homework that is made by the publisher and it streamlines the process for the professor, but passes the cost onto the student.
- The concern was stated that these fees are an operational problem that needs to be addressed and suggested that we request JPBC to take a deep dive into our overall institutional investment in the operational cost of these programs, so they do not fall onto the backs of students. It was decided we can put forth a recommendation based on this review and state this is one of our concerns.
- The question was raised if there are other areas on campus that Nursing can store supplies at so that there is more of an opportunity to buy in bulk and reduce the expenses. It was stated that conversations are occurring around Central Stores operations and historically they have focused on supporting Facilities. The discussions are around if that should be opened to more University wide and this can be added to the discussion to see if there are an opportunities for bulk purchasing and storage for Nursing.
- The concern was stated that the burden on students is very disproportionate between majors. It was stated that this could be added to our recommendation to JPBC.
September 6, 2024, Meeting Summary
Members were asked to review the meeting summary from the September 6, 2024, meeting. Any comments, edits or suggestions should be sent to Ms. Wight by October 11, 2024.
Updates to the Committee
SUNY Pooled Offset and Comprehensive Fee and Comprehensive Fees Discussions
Nothing to report at this time.
ID Card Replacement Fee
Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall reported that Ms. Frosini needs to learn more about the fee and what the balances are in the account. Right now, BITS owns one piece of the ID card process and the Welcome Center owns the other piece. We just need to figure out who is supposed to do what and how the two offices need to interact before she can bring a request for an increase in the fee forward.
Career Services Fee
Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall reported that SUNY asked us if the Career Services fee was a broad-based fee due to a request they had received from IR. Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall sent the email back to them where they had stated we are not treating it as a broad-based fee. Therefore, the decision was made to not have it be a broad-based fee this year, but moving forward it will be a broad-based fee.
FY2324 Annual Report
Members reviewed the report. The report will be presented to JPBC on October 31, 2024. Any feedback and edits should be sent to Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall by October 11, 2024.
Next Meeting
- Members will review agenda items not completed today due to time constraints.
- Members will review the hardship waiver and make any needed revisions. Dr. Kimberley Willis will be invited to answer questions related to the hardship waiver.
- Members will be assigned the next fee to review which will tentatively be international insurance.
Other Items from the Committee
None at this time.
Campus Based Fee Review Committee Action Plan List
Committee Members: Lorraine Acker/Qudus Bawa-allah/Eileen Daniel/Peter Dowe/Crystal Hallenbeck-McPhall/Michael Harrison/ Rachael Killion/Susan Lowey/Teresa Major/Nicole Parkison/Logan Rath/Lisa Robusto-Mack/Rongkun Shen
Committee Roster
| Action | Responsible | Status | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put a call out to GA/Tas for Graduate Student representative. | Mr. Harrison | Completed | N/A | N/A |
| Request BSG Treasurer to attend as Undergraduate Student representative | Dr. Acker | Completed | N/A | N/A |
ID Replacement Fee
| Action | Responsible | Status | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follow up with Ms. Frosini and obtain more data. | Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall | Completed | N/A | N/A |
Nursing Course Fee Review
| Action | Responsible | Status | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review Nursing course fees | All | Completed | N/A | N/A |
2023-24 Annual Report
| Action | Responsible | Status | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create the 2023-24 Annual Report | Dr. Hallenbeck-McPhall | Completed | N/A | N/A |