A community reception was held on September 2 for area residents to meet the new College at Brockport president, Dr. Heidi Macpherson. It took place at The Center on Brockport’s State Street, formerly the “Sweden Senior Center.”
Community relations
In an interview with Dr. Macpherson immediately following the event, it was clear she had taken the initiative to get out and meet the community. After arriving at the college in mid-July, she said she discussed with her staff “how to get involved with the community by meeting with a lot of people in a short period of time.” She asked Brockport’s Mayor Margaret Blackman about an appropriate location. Blackman recommended The Center as the venue with its new purpose as a community center located within the village. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful idea for her to do this,” said Town of Sweden resident Alicia Fink, referring to the reception. “I don’t remember past presidents coming into the community instead of holding such a reception at the college.”
Asked about any ongoing strategy she has for relating to the local community, President Macpherson referred to “open transparent communication” which has been her style in previous college towns. “I want to make sure, as best as we can, that the community knows what we are trying to achieve,” she said, “and to make sure we have opportunities for our students to interact locally through programs like internships.” About any possible complaints from the community, she said, “I want to be responsive to their concerns. If they have reason to criticize us, I would want to know what it is and to see what we can do to help.”
Macpherson said she was very pleased to hear the Town/Gown Committee at the College had been revised and activated, adding that she is eager to become involved in it. (“Gown” refers to a professor’s academic robe, meaning the College.)
Formed in 1960, the on campus committee became “basically defunct” between 2010 and 2014, according to Blackman. Last year, the committee was reinstituted with 22 members representing both realms of the town/gown relationship. “The committee has virtually all important stakeholders at the college and in the community. I think the committee, as presently constituted, is in a position to bring some real changes and some real understanding to the relationship between the village (including town) and the college,” Blackman said. “President Macpherson’s leadership will be critical to the continued effort of this committee.”
Blackman is familiar with both sides of the town/gown relationship – she is anthropology professor emerita, retired after 30 years of teaching at The College at Brockport.
Besides reaching out to the local community, the President and her husband, Dr. Allen Macpherson, are temporarily situated on campus where they mix with the student residential community. They are living in a residence hall with their dog, Tilly, until the renovation of the President’s home on Holley Street is complete, projected for November. The President says Tilly helps start conversations with students who miss their dogs at home.
Student behavior
When past incidents of student misbehavior in the village were mentioned, the President said: “One of the things we try to do with our students is to remind them of the importance of responsible behavior, not just because of neighbors, but also because of their own health and safety.” Among many messages to students about behavior, she cited, “Not engaging in underage drinking and making sure if they are of age that they are responsible in drinking behavior.” She said the existing Student Code of Conduct guides student behavior, and includes corrective measures “with opportunities for students to think through their behavior and behave in a way that is useful and beneficial. That is our hope.”
The President mentioned another source for promoting responsible behavior. “I am proud that we have revived our Better Community Statement Pledge, reinforcing the idea of having our own community on campus and being respectful, but also being part of the larger community,” she said. The statement opens with, “We choose to be a part of an academic community dedicated to principles that foster integrity, civility, and justice.”
Impressions
from some reception guests
Mary Edwards, a Town of Clarkson resident who attended the event, commented that President Macpherson “is very approachable, very genuine, very interested and interesting. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with her.”
George “Topper” Bott from the Town of Hamlin said, “I think it was very gracious of her to meet the community and she did a very good job. When you ask her about what she thinks the college needs, she is quite articulate and that’s great. Also, from what I have read, she is much attuned to SUNY Brockport and already has ideas about what the college should be doing.”
