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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


The days are getting shorter and cooler; the college is buzzing with both yellow jackets and excitement; the parking lots are filling up as is the bookstore.  All clear signs that fall is almost here!  And, with the return of fall, so returns my weekly message. 

In the lead up to All College Days and the many messages you will be receiving in the weeks and months ahead (including the Fall Message to the College Community, tentatively scheduled for October 19 and 21, more to follow), I want to share a short annotated list of what has consumed many of us this summer as a sneak preview of communications to follow.  Warning: it is a surprisingly long list!

Budget: Our budget was approved by the Board and the County, but if you have been keeping track, community college budgets around the state are facing significant questions from their local sponsors, impacts from the property tax cap, rising costs on several fronts, and concerns from all sides about the relationship between rising tuition and limitations on student access.  MCC is not immune.  We will discuss the pressures on our budget throughout the year and address them as a community.

College Completion: Once seen as an agenda item driven by President Obama, it has become topic number one on most higher education lists, from community colleges to research intensives.  Earning a degree, especially in certain fields, means more than ever—whether considering personal economic future or national competitiveness.  Look for a continued focus at MCC on student retention, success, and completion.

Construction: You will return to a fully renovated Dental Clinic and Building 9.  In each case, we need to thank a cast of thousands—most notably, those at MCC.  Our gratitude goes out, especially, to Dr. Viswanathan for her generosity and dedication to the dental hygiene program, and to our faculty and facilities employees for going above and beyond to assure both learning environments will be ready for classes next week.

Damon City Campus Site Search:  Yes, we are still at work, still making progress, and still dedicated to meeting the needs of our diverse community in the most fiscally responsible manner possible.  As the topic of our campus continues to make news, please know that—regardless of ongoing speculation—you will hear any decision from us … first. 

Deadlines: We implemented two new deadlines this fall, one related to first registration and another to drop for nonpayment.  Thanks to the amazing work of MCC’s faculty and staff, we’ve been able to place student success at the center of our decision-making . . . and live to tell about it!  Seriously, the rebalancing of our “enrollment management” vision on not just access but also retention and success will be a central topic this year.  Access only derives meaning if it is accompanied by true opportunity.  That has been our hallmark, and it will not change.

Fiftieth Anniversary Planning: 50 Years of
Fulfilling Our Community’s Promise.  It’s our golden anniversary theme, capturing the essence of MCC, from its initial charter to the incredible potential in our halls and classrooms today.

Regional Economic Development Council:  A diverse group of over thirty people from nine counties has been asked to create a comprehensive regional strategic plan within about 100 days.  MCC is serving as host for these meetings, and I am truly honored to serve our community on the council.  There is much work ahead, and I have great hopes for the outcome based on what we have already accomplished.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education Periodic Review Report:  Thanks to the great efforts of the PRR team, we completed this stage successfully, but this process and our reviewers comments made it quite clear that Middle States has changed the ground rules for accreditation.  We need to be ready, and we will be.  Look for updates to the Faculty Senate from Valarie Avalone and Mike McDonough, PRR Co-Chairs, this fall.

New Staff:  A few very visible vacancies were filled this summer.  David Moore has joined us as Director of Public Safety, and Sheila Strong has joined me as Executive Assistant to the President.  Both are wonderful additions to MCC and will be introduced on Thursday.

Strategic Planning: MCC’s current strategic plan sunsets this year, and a cross-college team has been at work setting the stage for our next one.  Here is what we know already: it will be more tightly focused, more closely linked to resource allocation, and more easily measured—helping to set the stage not just for MCC’s future direction but also for our next accreditation (see above) and upcoming Master Plan.

Strive: You may have read comments this summer from SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher about Rochester’s involvement in the Strive/Cradle to Career Initiative.  Name aside, this is truly a project in its infancy, and we have joined with the United Way and the Rochester City School District in convening preliminary discussions.  In addition, we are honored to host a statewide SUNY forum on community-based college readiness programs that will feature US Under Secretary for Education, Martha Kanter, on September 6.  I know the timing is not ideal, and we beg your and your students’ indulgence as we block off some parking for the morning event.  An invitation was circulated via the Tribune this week.

Whew, get me an editor, stat!  As you can tell, we have been busy, and I know you have been quite active this summer as well—whether here or elsewhere.  Now, we all put a marker in this book and turn the page for a new start. 

And, here it is:  I am about to attend my third All College Days at MCC (like any three year old, I probably now know just enough to cause trouble, so apologies in advance).  As I reflect on the significance of this year, I am humbled by the thought that our college has passed this day 50 times before, each time looking to put its mark on the days ahead and each time succeeding.  We owe a debt of gratitude to MCC’s pioneers of the past, students and employees alike.  As MCC looks to the next 50 years, we must recognize the responsibilities we carry and opportunities we have as future pioneers.  Welcome to a celebration of who we were and all that we will be! Please share your own thoughts
here!

All the best,

Anne



Anne Kress
President's Office
08/31/2011