NYSFAAA Region III Meeting Minutes

NYSFAAA Region III Meeting Minutes

NYSFAAA REGION III MEETING MINUTES

Bryant & Stratton College

February 13, 2009

WELCOME: Kathy Flaherty

Chair, Kathy Flaherty, started the meeting at 10:20 by welcoming everyone and thanking Michele Lee and Bryant & Stratton for hosting. Then introductions went around the room.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORT: Jackie Darquea

  • The NYSFAAA Conference is being downsized to 3 days due to the current economics.
  • The original contract with the Turning Stone Casino to hold a future conference had been postponed until 2011. Because SUNY school employees cannot attend events there we will have to cancel it. It may result in a loss.
  • We may decide to use the NYSFAAA College Access Grant to fund Higher Ed Day at the NYS Fair.Sharon Karwowski from TC3 is heading up our participation.
  • $10,800 is earmarked for outreach and training and each region will receive $1,350. It must be used to reach students with high need so cannot be used for the Guidance Counselor Workshop. HESC is doing a state wide guidance counselor training so we may be able to piggyback on theirs.
  • NYSFAAA is developing a Facebook site with a link to the NYSFAAA home page.
  • They decided to take no-action on the AG video hoping interest will just die out.
  • Novice training has been scheduled and an e-mail has been sent out.
  • Representatives from NYSFAAA lobbied at the Legislative Forum in Albany. Jackie said it was the busiest day ever with numerous students attending. The legislature acknowledged our concerns but isfocused on balancing the budget giving priority to K-12.
  • The governor has proposed a new loan program, NYHELPS.

TREASURER REPORT: Pat Johnson

  • The current balance is $3,947.98.
  • Money went to purchase a retirement plaque for Keith Stevenson.
  • The quarterly report is going in so we should be receiving our revenue sharing.
  • Support Staff workshop will be our next big expense.

STATE UPDATE: Dawn Langdon

  • Students and FA Administrators will again see a series of 11111’s or 22222’s for the 2009-10 TAP awards for students who meet the current eligibility criteria.
  • The NYS Residence Review Questionnaire has been updated. The new form is now available on HESCweb in the Transaction Processing Center under Forms for Financial Aid Professionals.
  • Schools must update the 2009-10 College Data Survey on the Web by March 31, 2009.
  • Information has been sent to all college presidents and Financial Aid Directors/Administrators in New York about Governor Patterson’s proposed new loan program called NYHELPS.

REGIONAL BUSINESS

COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY- Sonya Griggs

  • This was the first time in 3 years that the weather was accommodating and it didn’t snow.
  • 82 students attended along with 26 volunteers. Most did not pre-register on line as they only had 28 signed up by the Friday before.
  • The survey was 96% positive showing that 84% felt they could not have done the FAFSA on their own. The attendees preferred one on one counseling so more volunteers may be needed for next year.
  • The group applauded Sonya for the great job she is doing and she volunteered to chair it again next year.

LOCAL AWARENESS PUBLICITY - Eileen Muhlig

The consensus was that the In-depth Day with WIXT News Channel 9 was successful and received over 100 phone calls. Eileen was absenttoday and will give more at the next meeting

SUPPORT STAFF WORKSHOP-Annette Broski

  • The Committee has met and secured May 27th with the Craftsman Inn. They charge $200 for the use of their facility and the food will be approximately $2000 and they need an ok from the Region to secure a contract. The program will run from 9:30 until 2:30 andthey are trying to recruit speakers from within the Region save on costs.
  • A discussion ensued and it was decided to charge $10 per person and the Region would pick up the balance.
  • Kathy Flaherty made a motion to accept these terms of the Craftsman contract and attendance charge of $10.00. Jackie Darquea 2nd and the motioned passed to go forward.
  • Annette will send a “save the date” e-mail to the Region 3 list-serve.

GUEST SPEAKER/Say Yes Foundation – Chris Walsh

  • A program where students who reside in the City of Syracuse and attend their last 3 years of high schoolin the Syracuse City School District are eligible for a Say Yes to Education Scholarship.
  • 23 colleges and universities are participating, including all SUNY, CUNY and some private schools.
  • Overall, these scholarships are offered when a child is in elementary school and they are complemented by the comprehensive set of supports that Say Yes provides.
  • For more information, view their website at or contact .
  • Mark Humbert at SUNY Oswego will also be glad to answer questions.

CAMPUS UPDATES

Sharon Karwowski is having a retirement party for Mike McGraw on Saturday, April 4th. Mike Williams is going to roast him. She will send out more information to the list serve.

After a short break, Teresa Gehrer, director of Training and Information Services, HESC, presented a demonstration and discussion on the RFI Generator and NYHELPS.

More information is available at the HESC.org web site.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 17th at TC3.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Rooker

Regional Secretary

Members and guests present:

Ambrose Price II, Citizens Bank

Annette Broski, Mohawk Valley Community College

Chris Walsh, Say Yes Program/SU

Dawn Langdon, HESC
Bonnie Rooker, Cayuga Community College

Jackie Darquea, Cayuga Community College

Jennifer Best, Cayuga Community College

Kathy Flaherty, SUNY Oswego

Katrina Delgrosso, Chase

LaSonya Griggs SUNY Upstate

Mark Humbert, SUNY Oswego

Michelle Lee, Bryant & Stratton College

Nancy Teodecki, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Pat Johnson, Hobart & William Smith

Rose Hartson, Pratt MWP

Sheila Cooley, SUNY Oswego

Tami Gilbeaux, Edfund

Terri Gehrer, HESC

Top View