final version of the self-study document - Keuka College's Middle ...

the transition process. He was fully transitioned to begin his role as the President of Keuka
College in July 2011. The Keuka College Presidential Transition Report, prepared by the Chair
of the Board of Trustees (Appendix 3.9 Presidential Transition Report), outlines the goals of the
transition plan; the activities to prepare the president, including the aforementioned series of
meetings; introductions to and meetings with the leaders of our international partner universities;
meetings with mid-level administrative staff; meetings with individual Trustees; and attendance
at the summer 2011 Harvard Seminar for New Presidents to enhance further his leadership
abilities and familiarize him with the diverse responsibilities and constituencies of his new role.
President’s Cabinet
The President’s Cabinet (formerly known as the Administrative Team) is the primary level of
administration, and consists of five functional unit Vice Presidents that report to the President
and have day-to-day management responsibilities for their functional areas. As of August 1,
2012, the Cabinet includes the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice
President of Finance and Administration, the Vice President for Student Development, the Vice
President for Enrollment, Marketing, and International Relations, and the Vice President for
College Advancement (position restructured following the December 2011 resignation of
Executive Vice President/Chief Operation Officer, position not yet filled).
The Table of Decision-Making Authority details the parameters of each Cabinet member’s
decision-making authority, and the College’s organizational chart describes where each person
falls within the organizational structure of the College. Cabinet job descriptions clearly define
the duties and obligations of each position which are reviewed on an annual basis with each
cabinet member at his/her annual review (Appendix 3.10 President’s Cabinet Job Descriptions
and Resumes). The President conducts an annual performance appraisal of the Cabinet members,
reviewing their effectiveness at achieving goals, and provides written feedback.
As defined within their roles, the President’s executive staff is to engage in broad, cross-unit
decision making, addressing questions of policy, setting strategic goals, and implementing new
initiatives in support of the College mission. Consequently, the Cabinet meets with the President
on a weekly basis, with minutes taken by a Cabinet member and distributed to the other
members. Typical agenda items include a focus on budgetary matters, capital projects, retention
and enrollment planning, employee compensation, Board preparation, and unit updates
(Appendix 3.11 Sample Cabinet Meeting Agenda). There are typically three-five retreats of the
Cabinet during the year for purposes of long term planning. The President also regularly meets
individually with each Cabinet member.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the chief academic officer for the
College with academic authority and accountability for curricular oversight, academic policy,
faculty, and decision-making for all of Keuka College’s academic programs. In addition, all of
the academic student support services report to the VPAA: Registrar, Academic Success at
Keuka (ASK), Educational Technology, Center for Experiential Learning (CEL), Lightner
Library, the Wertman Office of Distance Education (WODE), Advisement Services for the
Center for Professional Studies, the Office of Grants and Compliance, the Office of Institutional
Research, and the Office of Institutional Assessment. Representatives from all of these areas, the
Page 9 of 19 Chapter 3: Leadership, Gov. & Admin.