NYSFAAA, Inc. Region V Meeting Minutes

The Culinary Institute of America

December 11, 2007

 

 

9:30      Toy-for-a-tot collection, mixing and mingling

 

10:00    Meeting began by distributing minutes and handouts.

 

10:05    Welcoming remarks made by our chair, Roberta Daskin (Sarah Lawrence College).

 

10:10    Jennifer Dwire from HESC provided a HESC update.  HESC is in the process of designing the Alt Loan Connections platform, as well as the HESC Student Marketplace.

 

10:20    Heather McDonnell addressed the region with an update.  In her words, “it’s been all SLATE since the NYSFAAA Conference in NYC.”  She encouraged the region to keep her or Ursula updated on suggestions as NYSFAAA will have an influence on the regulations that Joe Frey drafts.  Minutes from the previous Executive Council meeting were distributed.

 

10:30    Jennifer Trauman, account executive from The Access Group shared some history on borrower benefits, and speculated on how they may change moving forward.  The terms of federal student loans are established by statute and regulation, but lenders historically have created an array of borrower benefits to differentiate themselves in ways to reduce the cost of loans for borrowers.  Jenn explained from a financial perspective how the passage of the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669) will make it impossible for the benefits of yesterday to be offered tomorrow.  The idea that lenders will need to differentiate in ways other than “price” was discussed.

 

10:55    An announcement was made by Heather McDonnell that the next Executive Council meetings will be held on February 7th and 8th in White Plains.  All are welcome to attend.

 

11:00    Discussion arose for several minutes due to a question from Joe Martinkovic (ASA) regarding FAO’s reporting their personal banking relationships to the State.  Heather addressed this topic found on “Andrew’s wish list” with a compromise that Executive Council may suggest to Joe Frey.  She proposed the idea that FAO’s would report their primary personal banking relationship with the head of Human Resources (at their respective institution only).  There was some initial negative feedback around the idea.  However, after Heather reminded the region that our respective HR departments typically have that information anyway (due to direct deposit paychecks), the region seemed satisfied.  Pat Arcuri (from The CIA) commented that this might be OK, but that any additional requirements re: personal banking relationships would be an invasion.

 

11:15    Meeting adjourned.  Time available to mingle / tour The Culinary Institute of America campus before a terrific meal at the Ristorante Caterina D'Medici.