2016_SUNY_Optometry_PRR

With these changes, we believe the UEC is now better positioned to meet the demands of health care reform and to expand its services in the years ahead. Office of Health Care Development: Consequent to changes in the administrative structure of the UEC, the Office of Health Care Development was created with Dr. Richard Soden (prior VP of Clinical Affairs) serving as director. The Office of Health Care Development oversees the development of collaborations with hospitals, health centers and health care systems on behalf of the College. This office will be critical in protecting and advancing the interests of the College as they relate to clinical care and health care reform. International Programs : Oversight of the College’s international programs was shifted from the Office of Academic Affairs to the Office of the Student Affairs effective June 1, 2013. Student Affairs : Following a national search, Dr. Guilherme Albieri was appointed to the position of Vice ‐ President for Student Affairs in April, 2016. Key Challenges  Recruitment of Administrative & Professional Leadership: With more optometry programs developing across the country in lower cost communities, we have found it to be increasingly difficult to attract well qualified leadership to the institution. Given the high living costs associated with living in the New York City metropolitan area, it will be challenging to offer competitive compensation packages. While always looking and recruiting externally, the College continues to develop faculty internally with appropriate skills and interests as well.  Bureaucracy: At a time when there is need to focus resources on program growth, the increasing demand of regulatory processes in higher education, health care and research exerts pressure toward an increase in administrative personnel. Containing administrative growth will be needed in the years ahead. Standards 8 & 9: Admissions, Retention and Support Services As noted previously, enrollment expansion in the Doctor of Optometry Program has been a key initiative for the College. Formal approval by the University was received in January of 2012, and the expansion from about 75 per incoming class to 100 per class was initiated with the entering class in the fall of 2012. Doctor of Optometry (OD) : The College of Optometry continues to offer one of the strongest Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree programs in the country. In a highly competitive recruitment market the College has expanded its enrollment by 3 2 % whi le maintaining all quality i nd ic a t ors . This is e v idence d by the profile of the entering class (see chart below) and the performance of our students on national board licensing examinations (discussed in detail in Section 5 of this Periodic Review Report).

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