Press release:
The 63rd Annual Conference for the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) was held last month in Syracuse and it provided a unique opportunity for Genesee Community College.
In her dual role as chairman of both GCC and also NYCCT Board of Trustees, Laura J. Bohm welcomed more than 100 participants to the event including sharing tips to get the most out of the three-day conference entitled "Trustees Making an Impact!"
Meanwhile, GCC student trustee Benjamin B. Martis, a native of Curacao in the Caribbean, was immersed in learning all the responsibilities, laws and resources available to enable trustees at every level to do their essential work.
As a voluntary nonprofit association, the NYCCT was established to strengthen the effectiveness of New York's community college trustees and represents the appointed board members who govern the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
The annual conference is an important part of the group's mission, and this year two awards were presented to Genesee County. The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) was presented with the Edward J. Pawenski Business/Industry Partnership Award, the highest recognition that can be bestowed upon a business or individual recognizing partnerships and commitments with a community college. In addition, Craig Yunker, founding partner of CY Farms in Elba, received the Benefactor Vision for Tomorrow Award recognizing his longstanding support of the College and particularly his leadership efforts to help raise funds for development of the GCC's new Student Success Center and Richard C. Call Arena.
In other business last Monday evening (Nov. 13), the Board of Trustees:
Approved the minor updates and rewording of the following Board policies: Graduation and Release of Official Documents (Policy 3002); Signatory (Policy 5012); Authority for President to Accept Grants and Contracts (Policy 5012.1); Child Care Center Facilities (Policy 6003); and Security and Access to Campus Facilities and Security Consideration in Maintaining Campus Facilities (Policy 6009).
Heard of the successful reaccreditation of GCC's Veterinary Technology Program with the American Veterinary Medical Association under its Veterinary Technician Education and Activities Committee.
Heard Student Trustee Benjamin Martis report that GCC's Student Government Association is actively supporting students and even rebranding the SGA to further its abilities to foster successful projects that could potentially span multiple years. A new Facebook page has also been introduced and a new monthly "mixer event" is being planned to encourage the exchange of ideas and information leading to more collaboration across campus.
Heard William Emm, executive vice president for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness reported that the "punch list" items for the $25 million construction of the Student Success Center and the Richard C. Call Arena is nearing conclusion, and the new configuration of the parking lot is almost completed.
