REGION 3 GENERAL MEETING

Hosted By LeMoyne College

March 16, 2007

 

Attending:

Abbey Linsner, Nellie Mae

Bill Cheetham, LeMoyne

Bonnie Rooker, Cayuga Community College

Brian Levi, Student Loan Xpress

Chris Cartmill, Syracuse University

Dan Dunn, Student Capital Corp.

Darcie Stephens, Bank of America

Darrin Rooker, NY Chiropractic College

Dawn Langdon, HESC

Diane Dixon, NY Chiropractor College

Elizabeth Key, National Education

Holly Zaglaniczny, Edamerica

Irv Bodofsky, SUNY Upstate

Janine Willis, Cornell University

Jerome Moss, Keybank

John View, SUNY ESF

Kate Bellefeuille, Onondaga Community College

Kathleen Armstrong, M&T Bank

Kathy Flaherty, SUNY Oswego

Katrina Delgrosso, Student Capital

LaSonya Griggs, Ithaca College

Michael Rivera, Chase Co Finance

Nancy Teodecki, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Rachel Barker, AFC

Renee Jakaub, Corlell University

Sean View, Hobart & William Smith

Sharon Halpin, LeMoyne

Sheila Coolay, SUNY Oswego

Sherrie Sheppard, HSBC

Stephanie Stock, Sallie Mae

Tami Eiklor, Bryant & Stratton

Tim O’Donnell, Syracuse Law

Vince Scalise- CLC

 

WELCOME: Nancy Teodecki

 

Nancy Teodecki, Chair, opened the meeting at 10:20 and thanked LeMoyne for hosting. Then everyone went around the room and introduced themselves.

 

EXEC COUNCIL UPDATE   - Nancy Teodecki for Sharon Karwowski

 

The minutes have been posted to the region website. Joan Warren, 1st Vice President for Membership has resigned because of additional job responsibilities. Pursuant with the bylaws her replacement must come from the elected members of the current Executive Council. Brenda Wright has stepped forward and Executive Council has voted her in as 1st Vice President. Sharon has submitted Gina Soliz and Debra Eddy for consideration on the long range planning committee.

 

TREASURY REPORT – Abbey Linsner

           

The 2nd of 3 deposits from the revenue sharing has been made. The current balance is $3,438.20.

 

STATE UPDATE - Dawn Langdon

 

There is a new school services toll-free phone number and voice response system (VRS) for financial aid professionals. It is 1-866-431-HESC (1-866-432-4372).

 

HESC is waiving the 1% default fee for the 2007-08 processing year.

 

The NYS Residence Review Questionnaire is now available on-line. Students whose NYS residency is in question will receive an e-mail with a link to the site. It is also available under “Managing My Account” task at HESC.org. Colleges can also download the form.

 

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE – Nancy Teodecki for Annette Broski

 

 The deadline for nominations is March 23rd and the vote will take place in April. You can nominate yourself or someone else. All four regional officer positions are up for a 2 year term.

 

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR COMMITTEE - Kate Bellefeuille

 

Kate has agreed to chair the committee again with the help of Shane Rauh.  The statewide committee will meet the end of March. Let her know if you have any suggestions for the agenda.

 

MEMBERSHIP – Kathy Flaherty

           

Some membership statistics:

2004-05                                             183 members

2005-06                                             206 members

2006-07                       197 members

 

2006-07                       55-60 members are from schools and there were 145 females and 53 males who responded.

 

       Of the 112 people who responded to the question on age:

                                    under 25           2

                                    25-30               19

                                    30-40               31

                                    40-50               31

                                    50-60               30

 

COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY: Rachel Barker

 

Rachel and Sonya Griggs were part of the 6 Financial Aid Administrators who helped out. The weather was a concern but 5 families did attend. There were some problems with the computers and no printers available. Next year she felt more publicity and more communication with high school would help. Kate Bellefeuille suggested having a representative at the Guidance Counselor Workshop. Holly Zaglaniczny said Region I had more involvement with the guidance counselors and had a good turnout.


CONFERENCE 2008 – John View

 

            John will post committee members on the list serve. There is still time to sign up for a committee but please sign up before the June 22nd meeting. At that time we will be taking a bus trip to Buffalo to tour the site and also have lunch at that site. He will also post the possible theme suggestions he has received. Nancy will send an e-mail about the bus; reservations for this meeting and the bus will be required.

 

MARCH 30th EVENT - Abbey Linsner

 

            Since the February meeting was cancelled but the topic had been discussed, the regional officers voted to fund $700 for the event. It will be at the Strike and Spare with a short business meeting at 6pm to discuss opportunities in NYSFAA and how to get involved. Notices have gone out to members encouraging them to bring potential new members.  A vote was taken to fund $325 for a raffle and prizes.

 

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

 

            It was decided to forgo the scheduled talk on ACG/SMART Grants and GRADPLUS to focus on a current issue. Nancy shared an article in the Syracuse Post Standard about colleges and preferred lending practices. Members voiced concern over how the NY Attorney General and media are presenting this and a proper way to respond. John View read a statement he had drafted and said President David Canaski should respond so that members will be able to answer questions that may arise. Nancy will share our concerns with Dave and have NYSFAAA and EASFAAA statements sent to everyone including Guidance Counselors.

 

            Bill Cheetham is hosting the NYSAC meeting next week and will present info to the attendees.

 

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 PM.

 

Respectively submitted:

 

Bonnie Rooker, Secretary