Genesee Promise Plus Enrollment Continues to Grow, GCC Board of Trustees Hear

BATAVIA, NY (08/14/2014)(readMedia)-- The Genesee Promise Plus (GPP) summer scholarship program, which was initiated in 2008, enjoyed another hike in enrollment this year, Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Taylor, vice president for Student and Enrollment Services reported to Genesee Community College trustees on Monday evening. For 2014, 424 students enrolled compared to 377 last summer, a 12.4% increase.

There are three distinct scholarship opportunities available through GPP: High School Juniors (rising seniors) which enjoyed an increase of 37 students from last year; graduating High School Seniors which increased by 3 students to 260 enrollees; and the newest GPP program for adults who have never attended college before grew by 7 students for a total of 31 students.

Of equal interest was the increase in GPP applications, which increased to 639 in 2014 from 546 last year, a 17% increase. Some applicants decide to wait until the fall semester to enroll and register for classes, but the GPP encourages students to explore their options. In 2008, GCC's Board of Trustees implemented the Promise Plus program with a goal of removing financial barriers to higher education for high school graduates from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. The Promise Plus program was so successful that College administrators decided to extend the opportunity, first to juniors or rising seniors, and in 2013 to adult students who have never attended college.

"GPP has witnessed wonderful growth since its inception by the College Board six years ago. We discovered along the way that high school graduates can sometimes be a bit distracted for summer coursework, but high school juniors tend to be very focused on planning their futures, and GGP does attract adults who have never attended college to our doors," Dr. Taylor explained. "Some of these adults decide to wait until the fall to enroll for various reasons, but we are delighted to help them get started on earning a degree that can change their lives."

In other business Monday, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved the granting of 107 diplomas and certificates to students finishing their studies this month, subject to satisfactory completion of summer courses. The College plans to award one Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree; 49 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees; 47 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees and ten certificates.

• Approved the Board of Trustees roster of the following College committee members:

Buildings and Grounds: Donna M. Ferry (Chair), Laura J. Bohm, Robert L. Boyce, Laurie J. Miller, Peter R. Call, Maureen Torrey Marshall and Jacalyn F. Whiting

Personnel Committee: Mrs. Miller (Chair), Mrs. Marshall (Chair-elect), Benjamin J. Bonarigo

Policy Committee: Mr. Bonarigo (Chair), Mrs. Whiting

Finance Committee: Mr. Call (Chair), Mr. Bonarigo, Mr. Boyce, Mrs. Marshall

Nominating Committee: Mrs. Miller (Chair), Ms. Ferry (Chair-elect), Mr. Call

ACCT: Association of Community College Trustees, a national organization representing the interests of community college governing boards nationwide will be represented by Mrs. Bohm, Ms. Ferry and Mrs. Marshall

NYCCT: New York Community College Trustees Association representatives: Mrs. Bohm and Ms. Ferry

GCC Foundation Board of Directors: Mr. Boyce, Mr. Call, Ms. Ferry and Mrs. Whiting

GCC Association: Mrs. Miller

• Toured the Batavia Campus with Kevin Hamilton, vice president of Finance and Operations and Tim Landers, director of Buildings and Grounds to review the building maintenance projects underway this summer. Among the projects that were highlighted on the tour:

o Installing two new video monitors near Business Office and Conable Technology Building north lobby.

o Replacing the outdoor concrete steps on the east side near the children's playground featuring anti-slip tread edges and internal heated pads for automatic melt snow that enhances safety and also decreases the use of ice melt.

o New rubberized, vinyl staircase treads on two high-traffic stairwells located in Building A on the west side.

o Refinishing the Anthony B. Zambito Gymnasium floor.

o Draining and cleaning swimming pool and repairing grout as needed.

o Deep cleaning the artificial turf field

o Patching and repainting lines in the parking lots.

o Repointing and sealing of mortar joints of outdoor brick and replacing targeted window sills.

o Reupholstering worn chairs in the Wolcott Jay Humphrey Student Union using a local vendor.

o Roofing repairs in targeted areas.

o Addressing the discolored floor stain in the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery.

Collectively, the many projects highlight the College's ongoing annual effort to continually maintain GCC's facilities to its award-winning condition. With the main building being close to 45 years old, the College takes these efforts very seriously. With the expertise of the buildings and ground crew led by Landers, they look for innovations and opportunities to make the facilities safer, more energy and cost efficient, and seek funding opportunities to help offset the cost of the investment.

"We squeeze as much out of our resources as possible, ever mindful of making the facility as sustainable as possible," James M. Sunser, president of GCC remarked.

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