Stephen Kolison

SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison chose to focus his latest College Council report on what he said was their sole reason for being there: The students.

“I want to talk about the students,” he began. Kolison came to campus in 2020, at the height of COVID-19 restrictions, and “things were hard, especially for students.”

The restrictions severely impacted campus life, he said. “Student engagement was not at the greatest level because of that COVID-era place.”

However, he said, “I noticed something different this semester. I noticed the students are more engaged, more involved. The campus life is different than I saw back then.”

Kolison said that is important to mention because a university is not just about its classroom offerings. “Everyone is noticing a difference in how students are responding this semester,” he said.

College Council President Frank Pagano said he had met with a Faculty-Student Association employee that same day, and she said the exact same thing. “Things are turning around.” Pagano said.

“If the students aren’t here, there’s no reason to be here at all,” Kolison continued. “And so we have to monitor the vibe, so to speak, of the students, of how things are going on the campus. I think it’s job No.1. I’m pleased to report I feel much better than I did in 2020, ’21, ’22, about student engagement.”

Kolison then showed a bunch of slides featuring apparently engaged students.

That led to congratulations for the men’s hockey program over recent on-ice success and its hosting of basketball legend Charles Barkley.”There has been so much positive social media about his visit to campus … we can use any help we can get,” Kolison said. He proudly noted that Barkley went out with students downtown.