SUNY Canton News

The State University of New York Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 7 appointed Dr. Joseph C. Hoffman as Acting President of SUNY Canton effective June 1.

Dr. Hoffman has worked at SUNY Maritime since 1977, serving as a mathematics and computer science professor and was named a distinguished teaching professor in 2001. He also served as the college’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2012.

“Dr. Hoffman comes to SUNY Canton with an extensive history as a powerful and productive campus leader at SUNY Maritime College since 1997,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “The students, faculty, and staff at SUNY Canton are certain to benefit from Dr. Hoffman’s experience and leadership as acting president.”

Dr. Hoffman earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from SUNY Maritime College in 1975. He went on to earn a master’s degree in mathematics from Adelphi University in 1977, and he received his doctorate in education from LaSalle University in 1998. The SUNY Board of Trustees awarded him the distinguished teaching professor title in 2001. He also served as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve from May 1975 to August 1992.

“I am honored to be chosen as acting president of SUNY Canton,” Dr. Hoffman said. “The College has a strong reputation in many areas, and I look forward to leading the campus.”

Dr. Hoffman will replace Dr. Carli C. Schiffner, who has served as Interim President since September 2012. Dr. Schiffner will step down as interim president May 31 to become Vice President of Instruction at Wenatchee Valley College in Washington State.

“I would like to thank President Schiffner for her hard work and leadership,” Dr. Hoffman said. “I hope to build upon her efforts and continue to lead the College in a positive direction.”

Dr. Schiffner said Dr. Hoffman was an exceptional choice to lead SUNY Canton into the future.

“We’re delighted and excited to have Dr. Hoffman join the SUNY Canton community,” Dr. Schiffner said. “With his background at SUNY and his familiarity within the colleges of technology sector, Dr. Hoffman will be able to make an easy transition to SUNY Canton and will no doubt be successful.”

Dr. Hoffman, and his wife, Nancy, are both natives of Long Island. She will be joining him in his move to Canton.

“Nancy and I are looking forward to becoming members of the SUNY Canton community,” Dr. Hoffman said “And we look forward to living in the North Country.”

In his nearly 36 years at SUNY Maritime, Dr. Hoffman has chaired two Middle States Commission on Higher Education steering committees, leading to successful reaccreditation efforts. He also led the campus’ strategic planning efforts in 2011 and had participated in previous strategic planning efforts. Dr. Hoffman is a delegate on the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization, representing the International Association of Maritime Universities. He has co-authored two books, co-founded the Maritime Academic Council which consists of deans from all six State Maritime Academies. Dr. Hoffman also worked from 1980 to 2006 at Adelphi University, University College for Adults, serving as an adjunct instructor and chair for the Mathematics and Computer Information Systems Department.

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Following a statewide SUNY conference call and a joint leadership meeting with SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton Interim President Carli C. Schiffner expressed support for SUNY’s proposed budget allocation model and the future of the colleges’ shared services efforts.

“SUNY Canton’s incredible growth over the past several years would be extremely beneficial under the new proposed budget allocation model,” President Schiffner said. “Under the new guidelines, we would benefit from that growth and be funded more appropriately for a college with an enrollment that has grown to approximately 3,800 students.”

President Schiffner also noted her optimism overall when the new budget model is combined with the savings the College anticipates through continued shared services efforts with SUNY Potsdam.

“Our Chief Financial Officer Natalie L. Higley has done a masterful job in recognizing and creating opportunities to save money through shared services efforts and sound business practices,” said Schiffner. “The recent praise she received at our latest College Council meeting from SUNY Central CFO Brian Hutzley highlighted many of those accomplishments. We anticipate both colleges will continue to take advantage of these savings as Natalie and the respective leadership teams continue to initiate shared resources. ”

President Schiffner pointed out that in addition to SUNY Canton’s enrollment growth benefits, the College will target future growth in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Those areas were identified in SUNY’s proposed budget allocation model and correspond well with the College’s engineering and technology programs.

“The new budget model is ideal for the growth of programs within our Canino School of Engineering Technology,” said Schiffner. “In the past few years, we’ve added several new bachelor’s degrees in these areas, so we are effectively aligned to benefit from this model.”

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SUNY Canton Interim President Carli C. Schiffner today announced several departments and offices were realigned within the College’s organizational structure to better support priorities including student retention, strategic enrollment management and efficient shared services.

Some of the major changes under the new organizational structure include Athletics moving back to Student Affairs, Information Services and University Police shifting to College Administration, and Online Learning and Admissions moving under Academics.

“Canton has been a leader in SUNY’s system-wide shared service initiatives, and today’s realignment by President Schiffner mirrors our broader efforts to streamline administrative overhead so our resources can support student services and institutional priorities,” said Brian Hutzley, vice chancellor for financial services and chief financial officer for SUNY.

“These changes will result in a more effective organizational structure that will allow SUNY Canton to better address its issues and priorities moving forward,” President Schiffner said. “The restructuring of these areas will allow us to focus on student success and better align us with the model of both our SUNY counterparts and colleges and universities around the nation. This is part of the evolution of Canton as we look to continue our remarkable progress.”

Schiffner mentioned the College’s increased focus on academics and student completion as well as future opportunities to continue saving money through shared services. Last month SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam announced more than $1 million in shared services savings, and Vice President for Administration Natalie Higley expects those efforts to continue to benefit both schools.

“SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam have worked hard together to consolidate administrative services, become more efficient, and direct a larger percentage of funds toward the education of our students,” said Higley, who works for both colleges and is an example of the new shared services model. “We’ve already seen progress in areas such as payroll services and information services, and we look forward to continuing to standardize our processes and procedures for future savings.”

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SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy will be promoting health and fitness by hosting and running in the second President’s 5K Run/Walk Challenge.

The “5K with Dr. K” will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 10, near the College’s turf field next to the Roos House Athletic Center. The course will include the scenic cross-country trails bordering the Grasse River. The race and the walk are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

“There are a number of ways we encourage healthy lifestyles on campus,” Kennedy said. “We have spinning classes in our brand-new fitness center, healthy food options, and we are moving toward a tobacco free environment. Of everything we do, this race is my favorite event to promote fitness on campus and in our community.”

The first 25 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. Registration is available online at: http://www.canton.edu/challenge/

Kennedy is an avid runner who participates in numerous community-sponsored races.

Last year, the inaugural “5K with Dr. K” attracted approximately 120 runners and walkers from both the College and the area. On campus, the race has inspired good-natured rivalry among faculty, staff, and students.

For more information contact: Farren Davis at 315-379-3902, or davisf@canton.edu.

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“I’m relieved the investigation has revealed no indication of an intentional or criminal act, and I applaud all of the agencies involved in the investigation. They have worked diligently and thoroughly to get these answers to us as quickly as possible, and we can’t thank them enough.”

“We are all still anxious for the College to return to normalcy. Currently, we are still awaiting lab results to determine how quickly we will be allowed to re-open the buildings surrounding Cook Hall. We continue to follow the Office of Emergency Management, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Department of Health, the Office of General Services, the State University of New York, and the many other agencies that provided experts for the situation. In the mean time, we’ve begun to tentatively schedule some classes in alternate venues with hopes of minimally interrupting the Spring 2012 Semester.”

Canton Fire Department Press Release

LOCATION: SUNY CANTON‐COOK HALL 34 Cornell Drive Canton NY 13617
INCIDENT DATE: FEBRUARY 10 2012

Over the past four days the following agencies participated in a comprehensive investigation into the origin and cause of
the fire on campus in Cook Hall late Friday morning, including the St. Lawrence County Bureau of Fire Investigation, SUNY Canton Police Department, NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

• The origin of the fire was determined to be in a Chemistry Prep/Storage room, located on the north end, second floor of
• Cook Hall. This area was used in the preparation of chemistry laboratory student activities of various College programs.
• Through the course of a thorough investigation, investigators were able to determine the following:
• Preliminary reports of an explosion and the presence of individuals in the room at the time of the incident were
• determined to be unfounded.
• Use of smoking materials, utilities, including electricity, heating, air conditioning, and electric appliances in the
• room of origin were eliminated as sources of ignition.
• The fire spread rapidly from the incipient stage to free burning stage which is consistent with a fire which
• originates from a chemical reaction.
• Chemicals and substances stored in this area are known to increase fire intensity.
• At this time the investigation has revealed no indication, that the fire was the result of an intentional or criminal act.

Due to the scope and magnitude of the incident and the presence of hazardous materials on the scene the following agencies provided
assistance and support:

• 10 Fire Departments from St. Lawrence County assisted Village of Canton Fire Department
• St. Lawrence County Hazardous Materials
• Village of Canton Police Department
• Village of Potsdam Police Department
• David E. Sullivan Police Academy
• NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services ‐ Office of Emergency Management
• NYS Department of Health
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• NYS Police Aviation Unit
• NYS Department of Labor
• St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Management

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Taskforce created to initiate SUNY’s shared services efforts

Responding to a Nov. 22 State University of New York Board of Trustees resolution, SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy has initiated a proactive plan attempting to create new ways to share services with SUNY Potsdam and potentially other SUNY schools.

The resolution establishes a timeline and directs the presidents of SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam to submit results of a joint report on shared services by July 15, 2012. To initiate these efforts, Kennedy has created a special taskforce and assigned his senior leadership team to investigate possibilities for the two colleges to share services and create a sustainable plan for continued growth and prosperity.

“It’s an opportunity, not a challenge,” Kennedy said. “Our goal is to ultimately improve the students’ experience, reduce costs, and direct an even higher percentage of our budget toward academics. There are opportunities for innovation and efficiency, and those are two traits our College takes great pride in.”

Members of the taskforce include two faculty members, two students, one community member, one College Council member, one Alumni Association representative, and one representative from each of the College’s labor unions (United University Professions and the Civil Service Employees Association). Kennedy said he expects many new concepts for shared services to emerge from the discussions. He has even suggested the possibility of sharing some services with other additional SUNY colleges and universities.

“We share in SUNY’s vision to provide the absolute best educational and career opportunities for our students, and we will continue to do everything we can to maximize their experience and our budget,” the president said. “Through an open environment and community input, we will establish clear guidelines and fiscally measurable outcomes for as many shared services as feasibly possible. We want constructive input toward our efforts college- and SUNY-wide. I’m confident by working together we can achieve significant cost reduction, and I’m hopeful some of our ideas may also be helpful to other colleges and universities within the system.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees resolved to maintain the presidencies at both SUNY Canton and Potsdam respectively while each of the campuses work together promptly, diligently, and cooperatively to explore and implement shared services where appropriate. Savings from the efforts will be redirected to academics and student support services, in accordance with SUNY’s ongoing directives.

Current plans include creating new revenue-generating opportunities – similar to the way the College has capitalized upon its online programming and supplementary semester offerings. Kennedy wants to see both colleges increase enrollments and work to strengthen each other’s academic offerings. “We can start by offering common start dates and expanding cross-registration opportunities,” the president suggested. “We can offer each other support for new degree programs and offer joint minor options. These are simple ways to further our collaborative efforts and add academic options for our collective student bodies.”

“We’ve already begun the process of sharing services with SUNY Potsdam,” noted SUNY Canton Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carli C. Schiffner. “We currently have two joint searches underway for a Chief Financial Officer and a Military and Veteran Student Services Coordinator. These two positions will oversee their respective areas at both colleges.”

The searches came about following a series of discussions between Kennedy and SUNY Potsdam President John F. Schwaller and ongoing planning between the two college’s leadership teams to combine some administrative operations. The colleges are studying shared services within the purchasing, accounts payable, human resources, information technology, institutional research, continuing education, and research programs, among others. SUNY Canton officials have also reached out to SUNY Plattsburgh to discuss possible shared services.

SUNY Canton officials recently calculated that more than 52 percent of its expenditures are currently spent on academics. To view the expenditure breakdown, visit www.canton.edu/shared. The College will be updating the page with the latest news and resources about shared services. “Even though we’ve already exceed the Board of Trustees goal of 52 percent of expenditures geared toward academics, we are going to work hard toward increasing that percentage even more,” Kennedy said. “Our newly created Shared Services Taskforce will have the opportunity to assist in guiding those efforts and executing the directives of the Trustees and Chancellor.”

SUNY Provost David K. Lavallee has reassured both colleges and the Board of Trustees that shared or jointly appointed positions between the colleges would happen through attrition rather than the elimination of current faculty and staff members. “I’m truly proud that Provost Lavallee and Chancellor (Nancy L.) Zimpher have taken this stance and reaffirmed a commitment to maintaining jobs in St. Lawrence County,” said David F. Butler, SUNY Canton’s UUP President. “If our plans are effective, it will enable both colleges to hire more faculty members and further enhance our service to students.”

The concept for shared services was created to benefit students, according to SUNY Administration. “Our students are the very core of SUNY Canton,” Kennedy said. “We have been and will remain committed to providing them with every opportunity possible to ensure their success both academically and in their future careers. They deserve to be included in whatever decisions we make while moving forward with our plans.”

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Manager, or call 315/386-7527.

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SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy will be featured in an upcoming higher education publication designed to inform and educate industry experts and executives.

Kennedy was recently interviewed for an article in Education Executive magazine and discusses the difficult task that laid ahead for the incoming president when he arrived in 1993. In the article, Kennedy explains why he said yes to the role when most people wouldn’t have entertained taking on the challenge and illustrates the success of the programs he implemented over the past 18 years.

“I say yes all the time,” Kennedy said in the article. “Want to know why? Because you have to be open to new ideas and willing to take risks if you want to keep moving forward. What we’ve achieved didn’t come from my efforts alone. It came from the hard work of our faculty and staff to develop new programs and come up with new ideas. I just had to be willing to support them.”

Kennedy is now the longest tenured active SUNY president. Read the full article here.

When Kennedy’s tenure began, he quickly realized he would need to take the College in a different direction and add bachelor’s degrees. With the support of former SUNY Chancellor Bruce Johnstone, eighteen years later, SUNY Canton has the same number of bachelor’s degrees as associate degrees, all of which are in high-demand and geared towards providing students with a hands-on education that prepares them for careers following graduation. The College has also experienced exponential growth in enrollment and the physical campus itself has grown under his guidance. SUNY Canton most recently added a new athletic facility and will open a new residence hall in Fall 2011.

Throughout the article, Kennedy reiterates the reason why he continues to do what he does: to improve the learning experience for students. In addition to the growth in bachelor’s degrees, he’s encouraged faculty members to earn their doctorate degrees by having the College spend $1 million to help them do so. He’s also added online degree programs, international study abroad and dual degree opportunities, and other innovative programs.

Education Executive covers topics such as management, new technologies, marketing programs, security, facilities and operations, as well as financial and legal issues.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy called for innovation and thoughtful planning in order to overcome the state’s budget cuts to the SUNY System and SUNY Canton during a Faculty Assembly meeting on Tuesday.

Kennedy said the College’s extraordinary growth and previous long term planning will help SUNY Canton continue to thrive despite inevitable decreases in state support. Enrollment at the college is at an all-time high with more than 3,000 students this semester.

“By expanding to four-year degrees, increasing our online abilities, and increasing our overall attendance, we’ve significantly decreased the pain that these cuts would have otherwise inflicted on us,” Kennedy said. “We’ll be able to use some of our current cash balances over the next couple of years to ease into a transition on the way we conduct business. We recognize the state’s current financial situation and we’re working to adjust to the new budget reality that exists statewide.”

Kennedy stated that his two highest priorities regarding the budgets were to not decrease the overall quality of students’ education and to not layoff any college employees. He has been meeting with groups of employees over the past few weeks and listening to suggestions on how to work smarter, more efficiently, and more environmentally proficient.

He mentioned that the solution will be found through a variety of adjustments. Small changes will include things such as mowing less grass, plowing less snow, and resetting computer systems to maximize energy efficiency. Potential larger solutions may include shifting to a four-day class schedule as early as next semester, which would reduce energy costs and create personal savings for students and employees.

“This is not a crisis, it’s a challenge,” said Kennedy. “We’ll have many solutions and they’ll come in all different sizes, but we are positioned to manage this situation successfully and should treat this as an opportunity to once again show why SUNY Canton is a leader in higher education.”

SUNY Canton currently has more than 500 employees. Kennedy said that number will decrease over the next two years to adjust to the new budget reality, but it will likely happen through natural attrition such as retirements and relocations.

Media inquiries should be directed to Gregory Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7528.

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