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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


This week’s message is more a series of quick updates on a number of topics.  If you’d like to know more about any, just send in a comment.

Budget:  Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with colleagues from SUNY and CUNY community colleges.  Both systems are planning a joint response to Governor Cuomo’s planned cuts to state aid for our sector.  We recognize that the economic issues facing the state are real and troubling, but we also see the investment in community colleges and our students as essential if New York is to find a path out of its current difficulties.  No community college will be able to absorb a collective 24% cut over two years—which is what we’re facing—without raising tuition, cutting services, or both.  So, we are requesting that state aid be restored to $2,260 per full time equivalent student, which keeps aid flat year on year.  The consequences of the budget cuts being proposed will negatively impact our students and our communities today and tomorrow.   

Communication:  During the power outage last week, we did not do a very good job of communicating with the college community.  In academic parlance, this event offered a true “teachable moment” for college leadership, and we have taken this lesson to heart.  Before the term’s end, we will have a more effective means of communicating with you and our students during emergency situations via text messaging, and at present, we are engaged in a full review of our crisis management plan.  Please know that we are listening to your concerns about how we responded to this event and are taking steps to do better in the future.

Technology:  It seems that more and more of the answers to our everyday problems (including the one posed above) involve technology, so the question for MCC is:  do we have the infrastructure in place to support these demands?  ETS is working with a consulting group that will evaluate MCC’s ability to respond to the growing technology expectations presented by our students, faculty, and staff.  There will be open opportunities for faculty and staff to meet with the consultants, as well as some targeted small group meetings.  If you would like to become involved, please contact Jeff Bartkovich.

Commencement:  Those of you who attended last year’s commencement may have recognized that it seemed to be time to rethink this annual celebration.  We have been doing just that.  Part of this process has been a reconsideration of the timing of commencement, which has long been held on a weeknight.  Beginning this year, we will hold our ceremony on Saturday morning:  June 4, 10:00 am to Noon.  The location is unchanged, Blue Cross Arena/War Memorial, but you can look forward to a tightened up program that more prominently features the most important guests we have—our students.  

Provost Search:  I have received recommendations on the provost candidates from both search committees and from many groups and individuals.  Thank you all for your participation in this important activity and for sharing your thoughts with me.  They will be central in my decision-making process.

Questions?  Comments? 
Let me know.

Anne Kress
President's Office
02/09/2011