DAY 1 – NOVEMBER 2016
This month we have a long list of updates and happenings to report. While I always try to focus on the positive, there is a troubling issue that we as a community must be aware of and combat. I am deeply concerned that we have had multiple cases of sexual assault reported this semester. While it’s disheartening to know that sexual assaults are occurring on our campus, it’s good that more students are reporting these incidents and seeking assistance and resources. Please be assured that we are addressing these cases quickly and decisively. We are also making efforts to educate our campus on acceptable behavior and ways to deal with challenging situations. With that in mind, I encourage everyone to attend an important talk tomorrow (Wed 11/2 at 7pm in Freer Auditorium) for a presentation on sexual assault, consent, and bystander intervention. It saddens me to make this topic the first priority of this month’s Day 1 report, but there is nothing more important than safety and trust in our community.
Now, on with the updates…
- Brett McLeod was named the college’s first International Paper Endowed Professor in Forestry Economics. This academic appointment is a significant distinction – congratulations, Brett!
- The college’s Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting. Some highlights and updates from the session include:
o Milestones accomplished toward our strategic plan. These included the identification of new academic programs, athletic teams, and co-curricular experiences to be implemented over the next 18 months. Thanks to many of you, we are making great progress on our detailed action plan. We are seriously considering new majors such as Criminal Justice and Psychology, as well as a Health Sciences track within Biology; launching new living-learning opportunities including an Emerging Leaders program; and adding sports such as Alpine skiing, bass fishing and swimming.
o We refined our current year budget (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017) based on final fall enrollment numbers. The bottom line did not change from the budget that we developed in May.
o We reported that the college received a clean financial audit for FY2016.
o The board approved the tuition and fee schedule for the 2017-2018 academic year. As part of this, we have also simplified our pricing model by bundling the majority of the mandatory fees into the tuition figure, bundling the laundry fee into room and board rates, and reduced the price of the college meal plan for those residence halls with in-room kitchens.
o Celia Evans, together with Kelly Cerialo, Bethany Garretson, and Eric Holmlund gave a terrific overview of a few of our international programs. There are international opportunities open to students in all programs, so contact Celia if you need more information.
o Finally, as the board members do not get a chance to interact with most of you during their short time on campus, I was asked to let you know how impressed they are with our faculty, staff and students.
- The alumni board of directors met for its regular meeting, on dates that overlapped with the trustees. We were pleased to bring the two groups together to enjoy a scrimmage of our mens basketball team, and to generate some good ideas to expand alumni participation in our enrollment and fundraising activities.
- We are very excited to announce that a new Executive Director of Assessment and Instruction, Dr. Mary Lou D’Allegro, will be joining PSC in early November. Dr. D’Allegro comes to us from Siena College where she is currently Associate VPAA. She has extensive experience in assessment, accreditation, strategic planning and curriculum development. She holds a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University, and continues to teach while holding down a senior administrative job. She is very excited to be joining our academic team, where her expertise in state and regional accreditation will be invaluable.
- We are pleased to have an Artist in Residence coming for the spring. Glen McClure will be here teaching some classes and working on the Adirondack Folk Opera project.
- Chef Bruno Neveu and students participated as judges for the King Arthur Flour Pie Baking Contest at Malone’s “Fall For History” event.
- The Natural Sciences Seminar Series continued with a talk on “The Battle for Lake Ontario: Native and Invasive Species Interactions in the Great Lakes” by Curt Karboski, a fisheries biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Randall Swanson’s arboriculture class performed hands-on community service in Saranac Lake, removing invasive species from Denny Park. The class will mulch the removed trees for a future project on campus.
- Students in our newly formed DECA chapter (an international business and marketing club) took a trip to Cake Placid and Big Slide Brewery & Public House, where they learned the ins and outs of the two businesses.
- Students in Peter Roland’s Recreation & Resort Marketing & Management class gained real-world insights about marketing strategy and teambuilding from local startup Experience Outdoors.
- Students Connor Vara, Jonathan Stetler, Robert Craig and Ryan Baker led presentations on their summer fieldwork experiences for the seminar series “A Birds-Eye View” presented by the Wildlife Society.
- Annie Rochon took her Spanish class to Forrence Orchards Peru (New York!) to meet with the workers and practice their language skills. Many thanks to Trustee Peter Forrence for hosting the class.
- Ross Conover and five Fish & Wildlife students went to Raleigh NC for the national conference of The Wildlife Society.
- To date 40 students working with the TRiO – Student Support Services program have completed the five-part Thriving Course and been awarded a Certificate of Completion.
- 70+ companies participated in the annual Fall Career Fair, helping our students grow their professional networks and secure meaningful jobs.
- The Bobcats Golf team took home multiple wins at the YSCC Conference Championships – they not only won the overall championship for the 2nd year in a row, but also earned Sportsman of the Year and Coach of the Year awards. Congrats to coaches Rod Bushey and Tom Cotter along with our talented student athletes.
- PSC competed for the first time in an atlatl contest, attending the third annual atlatl battle at SUNY Potsdam, where PSC took on the Potsdam archeology/anthropology club. PSC students threw their spears straight and true at targets and a mock mammoth.
- The first annual History of Adirondack Foods event drew dozens of attendees who were treated to delicious cuisine inspired by the original 1905 dinner menu from Paul Smith’s Hotel. A big thank you to our culinary faculty and students, and to the draft horse club for representing PSC.
- Beautiful weather and lots of teamwork yielded 1,000+ attendees at the 5th annual Rural Skills and Homesteading Festival. We had a great day of learning and community-building at our North Campus.
- The inaugural art reception at the Heron Marsh Gallery featured amazing works by internationally-recognized visual artist Winn Rea. If you missed the reception, you can still catch the exhibit through November 15th.
- An online version of the Sequel alumni magazine was launched, creating a space for sharing the voices and views of our alumni community all year long. The print version of Sequel is going strong, with the latest issue hitting mailboxes in October.
- 60+ prospective students and their families took part in an Admissions Open House.
- Our exhibit at the Lake Placid Brewfest was front and center – our age 21+ community members had a great time, and the event gave us exposure to 1,000+ attendees.
- The 2nd annual Haunted Walk at the VIC was a spooky-good time for the dozens of community members who participated.
- Bobcat Radio kicked off its Live Jam Sessions with performances featuring Hispanic, Funk and Indie Folk live music by DJ Q$, Ben Parker and Friends.
- The Osgood Farm crop has been harvested – you may have enjoyed some of it in meals at the St. Regis’ Café!
- The A.P. Smith’s Bakery is open for business! Bakery hours are expanded this semester with fresh treats available 9am – 11am each Monday through Thursday.
Upcoming Events of Note
- November 4 – Natural Science Seminar Series featuring Kevin Hynes
- November 8 – Election Day
- November 11 – Campus Visit Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day. Thanks to the many people who have served in the military on our behalf, especially those who are part of the Paul Smith’s community.
- November 12 – PSC Pride Festival
- November 16 – Grande Gazebo Lighting
- November 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializing those who have been killed as a result of transphobia, and to raise awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
- November 24 – Thanksgiving (USA). Fall break for students is November 19 – November 27
- November 29 – Giving Tuesday – we have a goal of $50,000 for the day! Watch for information soon on how you can participate.
- December 2 – 2nd Annual Made@PSC show and sale
Cathy S. Dove, President
Office of the President
Paul Smith’s College of Arts and Sciences
- O. Box 265
Paul Smiths, New York 12970
