NSB Renovation Concerns�

Overview

Drivers of Revenue, Growth, �&�Student Outcomes

Drivers of OW Budget

STUDENT TUITION

STATE SUPPORT

RESIDENCE HALLS

FEES & RENTALS

RESERVES

Source: Martha Santana

Physical, Life Science, and Technology: 13% of Total Enrollment

+180%

https://www.suny.edu/about/fast-facts/

Near two-fold

Increase in Student

Enrollment over 10 years

Physical and Life Sciences Growth

Fall 2021 majors served by NSB:

Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Computational Science, Chemistry, and Public Health

Source: Courtney Raeford

https://www.suny.edu/about/fast-facts/

Physical and Life Sciences Growth: URM

CSTEP + LSAMP

• Standardized tests preparation
• Academic and career development activities
• Graduate/professional school admissions preparation
• Book Vouchers 
• Travel support to Statewide and National Conferences
• Stipends for mentored research
• Faculty active engagement in promoting student applied learning and extracurricular research activities.

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On Campus Programs That Have Historically Supported URMs & Financially Disadvantaged

Students 

% URM Graduation

SUNY Wide

OW

https://www.suny.edu/about/fast-facts/

*45% URM graduates in Biological Sciences major last 5 years

Source: Courtney Raeford

Faculty (and Student) Goals

• CUREs
• Applied learning

Trends in Extramural Funding

Source: Thomas Murphy

Grant Critique Weaknesses: Examples

Training Grant Critiques (RISE) 2018

• “Most of the research faculty at SUNY OW have limited funding – mainly internal funds.”
• “There is concern that the present research environment at SUNY OW is weak and may struggle to provide meaningful research experiences.”
• “There are letters of support from SUNY-OW, but they are underwhelming.”
• “Given the low graduation rates and the low number of students that currently go to PhD programs, there does not appear to be a culture of research at SUNY-OW.”

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Independent Grant Critiques (R15) 2018

• “The PI has not demonstrated a track record exposing students to more sophisticated environments such as proposed in this application. It is unclear if this could be accomplished in the current application.”
• “The animal studies (Aim 3) will be carried out at Drexel University College of Medicine. It is unclear how this part of project would benefit undergraduate students at SUNY Old Westbury.”

Current Working Conditions �of the NSB

Current Working Conditions of The NSB: Growing Pains & Space Limitation Concerns

• NSB 40 years old
• Space not sufficient for:
• Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics and computational science, and public health majors
• Research: biology, chemistry, and biopsychology research
• Exceeded estimated growth by 3 years (i.e., current growth rate was projected to happen in 2024)

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Current State of NSB: Concerns 

Note: minor issues not fixed due to ‘building will be renovated soon’

Current State of NSB Unsustainable

*Post-renovation would be the same ratio without an addition

^Have separate Biology, Chemistry and other science buildings and/or Core Facilities

Calculated based on undergraduate Physical, Life Science and Technology enrollment + science building size: https://www.suny.edu/about/fast-facts/

Renovation Concerns

NSB renovation on capital planning radar

Space survey and projected growth

2010 - 2013

2014

2015

2016

Published survey and recs:

1. Reno + addition
2. Bring in CIS and IT

2017

2018

2019

2020

Discussion ends.

Architectural design begins (renovation ONLY)

2021

2022

Renovation start ETA

Concept planning:

1. New building
2. Renovation + addition

CHANGE IN PLANS

  Timeline of NSB Renovation

Concerns: Original Renovation Options�

*Trailers for labs and research (~17 mil)

Concerns: Revised Renovation Plan

• Only Phase 1 guaranteed (survey taken back in 2014).
• Reduced Teaching Laboratory Space after Phase 1 only
• Indeterminate start of Phase 2
• Alternate location for Teaching Labs during Phase 1 uses capital budget and college funds for:
• Renovate E-wing (space reserved for IT)
• Trailers ~4+ years without consideration for phase 2
• Designer for exterior of building. 

$17,000,000: Cost of Trailers for Temporary Lab

Concerns: Impact on Students

Concerns: Impact on Students

Other Majors Impacted

1. School of Education:
• Biology 7-12
• Adolescence Education: Biology
• Chemistry 7-12
• Adolescence Education: Chemistry
• Middle Childhood Education: Biology
• Early Childhood Education: Biology

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2. College-wide (SAS, SBS, SOE):

• GE requirement: 1 course in the natural sciences

Concerns: Impact on Faculty

APPEAL

1. Prioritize renovation of NSB
• Continue to increase URM representation in STEM​
• Continue to drive enrollment ​
• Expand revenue stream through external grants and endowments.​

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2. Add a building extension to expand lab space
• Surge space for Renovation instead of temporary spaces during renovation.​
• Accommodate enrollment growth​
• Accommodate CURE and applied learning across science curriculum.​

3. Single phase renovation for NSB
• Expedited construction time: least disruptive​
• Standardization of materials for the whole building.
• Funding for new equipment in the new and renovated building

4. No trailers : Capital can be used for permanent improvement
5. Reassign available office space and lecture halls in NAB and CC during Renovation. 

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APPEAL

1. Support OW mission to serve URM.
2. Appeal to SUNY to augment support for SUNY OW.
3. Appeal to Governor to augment support for SUNY OW CAPITAL PROJECTS
4. Raise funds from OW Foundation: a serious and actionable fund-raising plan to increase the college's endowment and enlist partners for the renovation project.     

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SUNY Science Building Renovations

New Paltz

Buffalo State

Farmingdale

Health Professions Enrollment Outcome

Evidence of Success in our Alumni: Scientists, Physicians, Dentists, Nurses, and other Allied Health Professionals