2016_SUNY_Optometry_PRR

value ‐ added educational opportunities (elective courses, OD/MS degree program, Advanced Certificate in Optometry Business Management and co ‐ curricular programming offered through the Career Development Center) to meet divergent interests among its students. Since the last MSCHE review, the college has also demonstrated resilience securing extramural funding. Overall annual research expenditures have been stable for the past several years in spite of cutbacks in Federal research support, and we have diversified sources of grant through the creation of the Clinical Vision Research Center in 2013. There are positive signs for growth, with nearly $3.5M in new grants secured since January 1, 2015. Similarly, while patient care revenues from the University Eye Center have been stable, growth has been challenging in the current health care environment. Health care reform and current efforts in NY to redesign the State’s Medicaid program have created significant challenges to all health professions and will continue to do so. The College recently restructured the administrative organization of the University Eye Center and created a new position of Director for Health Care Development to promote program growth internally and externally while better preparing our students to work in the emerging health care system. The high cost of living in the New York metropolitan area continues to be one of the greatest challenges confronting the College. This impacts students, staff and faculty. It is important to note, however, that the overall cost of an education at SUNY Optometry remains relatively low as its tuition continues to be among the lowest of the 22 schools and colleges of optometry in the country. While we maintain a 0% student loan default rate, increasing levels of student indebtedness is increasingly a concern profession ‐ wide. Most critical, perhaps, is a need to attract new and talented faculty in a high cost environment. We have made significant strides in improving compensation packages for faculty, but so have competing programs and additional efforts will be needed. Our ability to attract mid ‐ career faculty demonstrating academic credentials and leadership skills is a significant obstacle. 2. Summary of Response to Recommendations The evaluation report for the 2011 collaborative site visit by MSCHE and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education included two recommendations. These have been met by the College as discussed below. Recommendation #1 (Standard 3: Institutional Resources) The College utilizes an annual budgeting process to identify some of its equipment replacement needs. The College needs to develop a comprehensive and systematic equipment lifecycle process that proactively supports the leadership’s identification of future budget requirements.

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