As the fall semester draws to a close, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton are continuing to make great strides toward shared services offerings to streamline and bolster services on both campuses. The campus alliance work is advancing in several important areas.

“Shared services is paying off in a number of ways for us at SUNY Canton,” said SUNY Canton Interim President Carli C. Schiffner. “It has allowed both schools to collaborate on best practices so that we can streamline operations and improve services for our students. Faculty and staff at both schools deserve a lot of credit for their accomplishments and innovative approaches.”

“This has been a remarkable semester of conversation and collaboration. SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton staff and faculty have been reaching out to colleagues at the other campus to discuss ideas, with a renewed respect for the important role both campuses play in the region,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller. “The strides we have made in administrative areas will allow both campuses to harness the power of systemness to redirect resources toward the unique academic experiences both colleges offer.”

Budget

With the onset of the new SUNY budget resource allocation model, both SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton have realized the benefit of updating the campus budgeting process. Both colleges are now searching for a shared executive director of budgets. This position will be responsible for assisting in the design and rollout of a standardized budget process, which would allow Potsdam and Canton to share knowledge and resources. The SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton budget offices are working closely together on a new budget policies and procedures manual. This is especially beneficial, in light of both campuses needing to learn the details of a new budget model. Both campus budgets will continue to remain independent, with no mingling of funds.

Payroll

The two colleges identified the payroll function as an area for possible cooperation in January 2012. It was quickly understood that there was a need for change to reduce redundancy, gain efficiency, integrate solutions, standardize processes and procedures where possible, and lower costs. To accomplish this, it was necessary to move from two separate transactional entities to a shared dynamic, innovative operation. The two campuses completed an analysis, designed a phased approach for integrated payroll and identified short-term needs, starting with student payroll. Full implementation of the payroll project will be complete in March 2013. This will result in the payroll function being processed completely as one unit for both campuses.

Human Resources

In addition to payroll, the area of human resources has made significant headway toward sharing services. Mary K. Dolan, who was formerly the director of human resources at SUNY Potsdam, has been named the assistant vice president for human resources for both campuses. Her new role is a shared position overseeing one Office of Human Resources for both SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton.

“Human resources is a critical function, and in this time of budget constraint, we must be innovative and willing to change the way we do things. My team has stepped up to the challenge, and is already beginning to reap the benefits of efficiencies,” Dolan said.

Betty Connolly, the former director of human resources at SUNY Canton, has accepted a position there as the assistant vice president for administration.

A new human resources generalist search is underway to assist on the Canton campus. This will create a structure of three generalist roles that will focus on talent acquisition, workplace relations and practices and HR operations. The shared office is tackling tasks such as implementing an online applicant system that will be the same at both campuses. A cost savings is expected, as well as critical efficiencies.

Environmental Health & Safety

The Office of Environmental Health & Safety is also charging forward with the shared services initiative. Calvin Smith, the director at SUNY Potsdam, has accepted the position of director of environmental health and safety for both campuses. This means that his time and responsibilities will be split, and his salary will be shared. He reports to Vice President for Business Affairs and Administrative Services Natalie Higley.

“The focus on protecting our students, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors and our environment is something both campuses have always shared. I look forward to building stronger environmental health and safety programs at both campuses, and blending our efforts whenever possible,” Smith said.

SUNY Canton did not previously have an EH&S department on campus, and in order to expedite its formation, a private occupational health, safety and environmental consulting firm will conduct a compliance analysis of all campus programs. This third-party assessment process is a private sector model, one that Smith used to enhance and expand the existing EH&S department at SUNY Potsdam when he joined the campus six years ago. The Colden Corporation, which also led the Potsdam analysis, is conducting the Canton assessment. Smith’s team at Potsdam now includes one EH&S professional, two inspection/testing technicians, a fire inspection manager and one support staff member.

Following the third-party assessment, the analysis will be used as the compliance framework and guide for the new EH&S program at SUNY Canton. It will also serve as a tool during the selection process for a new EH&S professional who will be hired specifically to fill Canton’s needs. Additionally, the campus may hire inspection/testing technicians, depending on the results of the analysis. Colden Corp. anticipates that this analysis will be complete in Spring 2013.

Sustainability

In addition to the efforts in the area of environmental health and safety, both campuses are working together to make both campuses more “green.” SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton are currently seeking a joint sustainability coordinator, to oversee efforts to reduce the carbon footprint at both colleges. This will replace the part-time sustainability position that SUNY Potsdam used to have, and will add a part-time professional to work toward these important goals on the Canton campus.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. For more information visit www.potsdam.edu.

“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.”

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.”

Natalie Higley has been chosen as the first Vice President for Business Affairs and Administrative Services for SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam.

SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam have appointed the first chief financial officer to serve both campuses, as part of their ongoing shared services strategy.

Natalie Higley has been selected as the Vice President of Business Affairs and Administrative Services for both institutions. She will begin service on July 1.

“The position presents a unique and innovative opportunity to join the SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton teams,” Higley said. “I look forward to working closely with both campus communities.”

In the newly created role, Higley will serve on the administrations for both SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton. This hire continues the implementation of shared services between the campuses, through the SUNY Campus Alliance Network.

Reporting to the President on each campus, the CFO is responsible for maintaining both colleges’ fiscal health and smooth administrative functioning. Areas reporting to the position on both campuses include financial and business services, budget, internal controls, physical plant and facilities, purchasing, payables, human resources, payroll, Research Foundation operations, and auxiliary services.

Higley will play a key role on each campus as a member of both colleges’ management teams, setting the overall direction for the institutions.

“I would like to welcome Natalie Higley as the newest member of our President’s Council. I expect that her experience from working at other campuses will provide us with insights leading to innovation in shared services and continued growth for our two institutions, which in turn benefits the greater North Country community,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller. “Our campus has led the charge for financial transparency and resource accountability, and I am confident that Natalie is dedicated to continuing that commitment.”

SUNY Canton President Dr. Joseph L. Kennedy added: “The hiring of a joint position at the vice presidential level is a significant step toward reducing our combined administrative costs to the benefit of the collective student body. We are making commendable efforts to meet SUNY’s goals. Natalie Higley is highly capable and suitable to meet the needs of both colleges. I’m confident she will enthusiastically present us with opportunities that will help both colleges continue to grow and thrive together.”

With more than 14 years of experience in executive management, Higley has demonstrated diligence in her work overseeing finances at both private manufacturers and public universities.

Originally from Scottsville, N.Y., Higley earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational management and master’s degree in management from Roberts Wesleyan College, going on to work as controller for Nationwide Precision Products and CFO at the First Allied Corporation, both of Rochester.

Higley began her higher education career as the accounting coordinator/ manager for the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., before moving on to the University of Georgia system, where she worked as vice president of business affairs for Bainbridge College in Bainbridge, Ga., for five years. She was most recently the chief business and financial officer and assistant director at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, Ga., which is also part of the University System of Georgia. Higley is currently working toward her doctorate in higher education administration at Georgia Southern University.

Previously, the colleges worked together to hire a joint veterans and military service coordinator to extend educational opportunities to former and active armed forces members at both campuses.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu.