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Should the Regents authorize the amendment of the master plan of the State University of New York in order for Cayuga Community College to operate a branch campus in Fulton, New York?
Master plan approval is required when an institution proposes to operate a branch campus.
The question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its February meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It will then come before the full Board at its February meeting for final action.
At its July 2005 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York resolved that “the State University Master Plan be, and hereby is, amended to authorize Cayuga Community College to designate the Fulton Center at 806 West Broadway Street in Fulton as a branch campus; and be it further Resolved that the Chancellor be, and hereby is, authorized to transmit this amendment to the Board of Regents and the governor for incorporation in the State University Master Plan.”
Cayuga Community College began offering courses in Oswego County in 1979.  In 1994, the Board of Regents approved a master plan amendment to authorize the College to establish an extension center in the city of Fulton.  As enrollment grew, the College moved the extension center to its present location.
The Department has determined that the proposed branch campus, if approved, would meet the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
It is recommended that the Board authorize the amendment of the master plan of the State University of New York authorizing Cayuga Community College to operate a branch campus in Fulton, New York.  This amendment will be effective until February 14, 2007, unless the branch campus is registered by the Department prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.
Information in Support of Recommendation
Cayuga Community College proposes to offer the following degree and certificate programs at the proposed branch campus:  Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Science/Humanities and Social Science; Associate in Science degrees in Liberal Arts and Science/Mathematics and Science; Business Administration; and Computer Science; Associate in Applied Science degrees in Business Administration; Computer Information Systems; Criminal Justice: Corrections; and Criminal Justice: Police; and certificate programs in General Business; Computer Information Systems; Corrections Administration; and Criminal Justice. All programs are also offered at the College’s main campus.  Non-credit courses are offered through the Business and Industry Center on site.
The College’s main campus in Auburn, New York is located 36 miles from the proposed branch campus. The proposed branch campus will continue to operate in the extension center facility, a leased, single-story building that is part of a shopping plaza.  In 2001, the College invested over $3.5 million to renovate this space into an innovative teaching and learning facility. The facility encompasses 50,000 square feet of space.  It includes 14 general classrooms, a distance learning classroom, 2 computer labs with a total of 52 computers for student use, a science lab, an art studio, library, 53 open computer stations, faculty offices, administrative and clerical offices, a bookstore, student lounge, and a Business and Industry conference room.  The center of the facility houses an innovative “commons area” that is highly interactive.  It is surrounded by offices for faculty and counselors, tutoring services, study “pods,” and quiet space for testing. Eight of the general classrooms are “smart” classrooms, equipped with computers, VCRs, and projectors.  The remaining classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors, VCRs and TV monitors.
The proposed branch campus will maintain the staffing support of the registered extension center.  It is supported on site during all hours of operation.  The campus' administrative structure includes a full-time Provost, Assistant Director, Academic Division Chairperson of College Studies, evening administrator, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Assistant Director of Admissions, and a full-time student learning specialist.  Support staff includes one full-time and two part-time student development counselors, one part-time math specialist, one part-time tutorial coordinator, and a secretary.  A laboratory assistant supports the instructional programs in science and a full-time technical assistant and a computer-networking specialist support the computer area.  Office space is provided for the content area support staff as well.
The Provost reports directly to the President of Cayuga Community College.  The Provost has the responsibility for long-range planning and the day-to-day coordination of the proposed branch campus. The Academic Division Chair of College Studies of the proposed branch has the responsibility for the supervision of faculty, the hiring and evaluation of adjunct faculty, and scheduling of course load assignments and course offerings.
There are 69 faculty members teaching at the Fulton campus, including 10 full-time faculty members teaching a full course load at Fulton.   Several other full-time faculty members split their course load between Fulton and the main campus. However, the faculty at the extension center are primarily part-time.  All faculty must meet the same credentialing standards as those on the main campus.  Faculty degrees range from baccalaureate to doctorate, with the majority of faculty holding master's degrees.
The comprehensive support services available to students at the extension center will continue, including: onsite admissions, advisement, financial aid counseling, learning specialists, peer tutoring and study groups, disability services, comprehensive library services, bookstore, and student government clubs and activities.  The College’s Public Safety Department also maintains a presence on the Fulton campus.
The student body is composed of traditional and non-traditional students.  The average age of the students is 26. Over 60 percent of students are female and over 70 percent attend full time.
Oswego County has embraced the presence of Cayuga Community College and continues to demonstrate strong support.  Originally serving 96 students in spring 1994, the center now attracts over 1,000 full and part-time students each semester.  The continued growth of the center indicates that there is a demand for higher education at the associate degree level in the Oswego County area. The College estimates enrollment at the proposed branch campus will be 1,290 students in 2006 and grow to over 1,400 students by 2010.
The 2000 ACT Student Opinion Survey conducted at the College revealed that the two highest factors students have for attending Cayuga Community College were “nearby location” (61.5 percent) and “low cost” (57.9 percent).  The proposed branch campus will allow residents of Fulton to complete their associate degree at a cost-effective rate and within commuting distance.
Oswego County encompasses 953 square miles and has a population of 123,776 (2004 est.), 97.2 percent White.  The county experienced a 5 percent increase in population from 1990 to 2000, while Fulton's population decreased by 8.3 percent during the same period.  Fulton estimates its population at 11,643 in July 2004.  The median household income in the county was $36,598 and $29,054 in Fulton.  The education level of Oswego County and Fulton, New York residents over 25 years of age was as follows:  high school or higher - 80.4 percent county/77 percent Fulton; bachelors degree or higher – 14.4 county/11.7 percent Fulton.  (Census 2000)  The New York State Department of Labor reports that Oswego County’s unemployment rate from January to September 2005 ranged from a high of 7.6 percent in January and February to a low of 5.5 percent in August.  Oswego County’s unemployment rate was higher than the statewide unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in January and February and 4.6 percent in August.  Fulton has been designated one of New York State’s Empire Zones to provide economic development assistance to revitalize the area. A resolution by the Oswego County Legislature, passed in 2004, supports the College’s application for branch campus status.
Effect on Other Institutions
A canvass was conducted of institutions of higher education in the Central region. There were no responses to the canvass.