This week, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees:
-- Approved a change to the board of trustees by-laws, making the board's Finance Committee a standing committee.
-- Received, with gratitude, a vet test chem machine for the college's new Veterinary Technology Program from the Batavia Animal Hospital. Students will use the machine to learn how to prepare and submit diagnostic samples. Batavia Animal Hospital also donated a horse learning lab kit, large animal training manuals, and a variety of teaching resource materials to the program.
-- Heard President Stuart Steiner report that the opening of fall classes was smooth and successful. He noted that when all fall enrollment is tabulated, it will likely exceed 7,500 – a significant increase over last year's record-breaking enrollment of 7,208.
-- Heard Eunice Bellinger, Ed.D, executive vice president for Academic Affairs, report that 17 students have enrolled in the new Polysomnographic Technology program and 14 students have enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program.
-- Heard Virginia Taylor, Ed.D, say that the college is celebrating "Week of Welcome" this week, designed to build student engagement. Activities include a transfer fair, club information fair, picnic, dinner, movies and athletic events.
-- Heard Trustee Laurie J. Miller report that the School of Nursing Open House, held Aug. 20, was a great success. Trustee Laura J. Bohm encouraged all trustees to visit the nursing labs and learn how the program's patient simulators and other technology helps the students learn patient care skills.
-- Heard Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin P. Hamilton report that 50 additional parking spaces have been added outside the new School of Nursing, located on the south side of Stephen Hawley Drive. He said that the college has made students, faculty and staff aware of the need to be observant when crossing Hawley Drive. Hamilton said that the college has also requested a speed reduction on Hawley Drive, as
well as pedestrian crossing signs.
-- Heard Hamilton report that the first coat of paint has been applied to the tennis court surfaces. He also said that work on the new art gallery is well under way, and most of the steel has been installed.
-- Heard Director of Development and External Affairs Richard Ensman report that the Branding and Identity Committee has been reviewing possible new visual imagery for college publications and web content. The Branding and Identity Committee has been charged with reviewing the college logo and other visual materials used in college communications.
-- Heard President Steiner report that Malinda E. Stulba of North Tonawanda is joining the college's staff as enrollment specialist for Health Studies/Nursing. She has served as a staff member of Niagara County Community College and Bryant & Stratton College. She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University at Buffalo.
-- Heard President Steiner report that Melanie L. Jones of Rochester has been named to a temporary appointment as academic advisor. Jones has served as a counselor and tutor coordinator for the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and also served as a member of the staffs of SUNY College at Brockport and Wilberforce University, Ohio. She holds a B.A. degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a M.Ed. degree from the University of Vermont.
-- Heard President Steiner report that Robert Frail, currently of New Jersey, has been named to a temporary appointment as International Programs specialist. Frail has taught and managed a variety of MBA programs in China, and he established a bachelor's degree program there at Shandong University. He's a visiting professor of English and Communication at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou, China. He has also managed educational programs in Korea. He holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan
College, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University.
-- Heard Instructor of Fine Arts Heather S. Jones and Instructor of Sociology Josephine B. Kearney report that 16 Genesee students participated in the college's six-credit interdisciplinary course offered in Amsterdam, the Netherland, over the summer. Students spent three weeks studying social problems, and documenting the city's character with digital images. Students also visited such sites as the Anne Frank House, World Press Photo Exhibit, Rembrandt House, Artisan Zoo, and many other locations. Students brought more than 2,500 digital images back with them. Jones noted that some students had never been outside of Western New York or on an airplane before.
