A President’s Advisory Team Meeting was held Wednesday, September 20 with the following agenda items:
- Welcome – Highlights from President Lepre
- Disability Resource Center Overview
- FAFSA Simplification Act
- General Updates
- Campus Safety
- Shared Governance Updates
Below, please find summary information regarding each topic item of the agenda. When appropriate, additional supporting information is linked.
Highlights from President Lepre:
We would like to officially welcome Aurora Edenhart-Pepe to campus and to the President’s Advisory Team. Aurora has recently joined SU as our new Vice President for Administration and Finance.
Disability Resource Center:
Disability services in higher education play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity for students with disabilities. These services have a profound impact on both academic success and enrollment rates among this population. Through accommodations such as sign language interpreters, assistive technology, extended time for exams, and accessible course materials, students can fully participate in classroom activities and assessments. This facilitates their ability to learn, engage, and demonstrate their knowledge effectively. As a result, students with disabilities are more likely to excel academically and successfully complete their degree programs.
Moreover, disability services significantly impact enrollment rates in higher education among individuals with disabilities. Accessible facilities, inclusive policies, and comprehensive support services demonstrate a university’s commitment to disability inclusion. This creates a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages students with disabilities to pursue higher education. By removing barriers and providing necessary accommodations, universities attract a diverse range of students, enhancing the overall campus experience and enriching the academic community with varied perspectives and talents.
Candace Henry, Director of the Disability Resource Center, provided the following report on the Disability Resource Center and accessibility at SU.
FAFSA Simplification Act:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is undergoing a massive overhaul. The largest change the FAFSA has experienced in more than 40 years, these new developments were enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The overhaul, named the FAFSA Simplification Act, goes into effect with the 2024-25 award year. The goal is to improve the student and family application experience when completing the FAFSA. Among the most notable changes are alterations to the aid formulas, specifically for federal Pell grants eligibility. As a result of the changes being enacted, there is a delay in the release of the FAFSA this year (expected release in December).
Mason White, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, provided the following report on the FAFSA Simplification Act.
General Updates:
Encouragement to all to nominate employees for the Employee of the Month Program. For program details see the Employee Recognition Program (Word); to nominate a fellow employee, complete the EOM Nomination Form (web form) and submit any supporting documentation to the Human Resources Office, Room 153, Holloway Hall. Contact humanresources@salisbury.edu with questions.
Campus Safety:
On the heels of the tragic shooting at Morgan State, the President encouraged all members of the advisory team to share what they are hearing from their colleagues and students about campus safety and gun violence, and what concerns still exist following the off-campus shooting in Salisbury on September 14.
Seidel School: Salisbury University Police Department is conducting a training with our faculty to go over some important security and safety measures at the next school-wide meeting.
Athletics: Student athletes have shared that they are very conscious about where they go and gather, both on and off campus. Many of them are skeptical about gathering in some place “new.”
Student Affairs: Conducted meetings with Fraternity and Sorority leadership in the wake of the shooting. Some students felt the University had a role in protecting them in large, off-campus parties. Salisbury University Police Department was present at the meeting and talked through important safety tips with the students. It is an important reminder that the student conduct office is not out to “catch people” – it is there to make students safe and prevent them from becoming victims.
Faculty Senate: Some faculty encouraged a quicker response and follow-up from the University on the situation. It took too long for a proper update to be issued to campus.
Shared Governance Updates:
Staff Senate: Holding a “Snack and Chat” on October 18th on employee benefits in the Worcester Room (Commons Building). More information can be found here.
Faculty Senate: Have approved the bylaws changes and will be on the next meeting’s agenda. The change aims to eliminate the committees, with the exception of the inclusion and diversity committee. Moving forward, committees will be ad-hoc.
Graduate Student Council: Hosting a Fall Social on October 12. For more details, contact Graduate Student Council President Nicholas Plummer at nxplummer@salisbury.edu.
Student Government Association: Planning numerous events to coincide with Homecoming and Spirit Week. Conducting a review of the SGA’s constitution and making updates as needed.