I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the new admissions professionals that have joined the ranks within SUNY. I would also like to welcome back those who are returning for a brand new year. We should commend ourselves for our commitment to serving SUNY, our individual institutions, the counseling community and the community at large. Despite the tough economic times, it is a great time to be affiliated with SUNY as we collectively and individually are improving and changing its perception in and out of state as well as overseas.

Membership last year saw SUNY campuses across all sectors reaffirming their commitment by renewing membership as well as becoming new members.

SUNYCAP will celebrate its' 40th year of service to students, the guidance community and to our fellow admissions professionals this June 16 through 18th. More conference information is available.

Come be a part of our celebration!

The conference registration is available now, as are the hotel registration and a printable conference schedule.


CONFERENCE EVENT SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
7:30 a.m. - Meeting for directors, e-board members
8:30 a.m. - Directors meeting
10:00 a.m. - Conference registration opens
1:00 p.m. - Welcome & Opening remarks
1:15 p.m. - Keynote (Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor)
2:30 p.m. - Housekeeping items
2:45 p.m. - Workshop Session I
4:00 p.m. - Workshop Session II
5:15 p.m. - Retirees & founding and new members reception
7:30 p.m. - Dinner
9:30 p.m. - Experience downtown Saratoga Springs

Thursday, June 17, 2010
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast available
9:00 a.m. - Workshop Session III
10:30 a.m. - Workshop Session IV
11:45 a.m. - Col. James McDonough, Veterans' Affairs
12:45 p.m. - Lunch
2:00 p.m. - Workshop Session V
6:30 p.m. - Cocktail reception
7:30 p.m. - Awards Banquet & Dinner
9:00 p.m. - Entertainment

It is with great sadness that I write this article.

As you are likely all too aware, New York State has severe budget problems. The Governor feels that one way to help balance the state budget is to cut the SUNY budget again.

I decided to write this article because the budget cuts have hit SUNY Cobleskill and as of November 30th, 2009 am out of a job. That is correct, your elected Tech Center Representative to the SUNYCAP Executive Board and member of the first SUNY Leadership Institute graduating class, laid off because of budget cuts.

How did this happen you ask? Don’t all schools need admissions counselors to recruit students?

Well, if you are not a tenured employee you are subject to being “let go”. Actually, not only was I not a tenured employee, but much to my surprise, I was not even on a permanent line…something I found out the hard way. It is important for you, as an admissions professional, to be aware of the contract between you and your employer. When you watch the news and hear all the talk about cuts to SUNY…pay attention. It could affect you.

I am telling you to be aware of your contract and know your legal rights. Know how your office is structured and how you line up in the pecking order in case of ‘retrenchment’ or other financial disasters that might happen to your campus. I suggest that you pay attention to your next review and to ask your supervisor about your contract and how it is structured.

Do you have an employee handbook provided to you by your Union or Human Resources office? If not, ask for one. There’s a saying I’ve been made aware of recently…“pay it forward”. With that said, do not end up like me - ‘retrenched’, looking for answers, and a out of a job. Know your rights and ask questions, your career counts on it.

I will miss interacting with all of my colleagues and friends I have made over the last eight years working for SUNY.