SUNY Plattsburgh > President

SUNY Plattsburgh Internal Control Program

Memo from President Ettling

Date:     March 21, 2013

To:        Campus Community

From:    John Ettling, President

Re:        Internal Controls at SUNY Plattsburgh

I want to take this opportunity to affirm my personal commitment to internal control awareness and risk management at SUNY Plattsburgh. Internal controls are those actions an organization takes to help ensure the accomplishment of its goals and objectives such as operating practices, reporting relationships, and policies and procedures that help the college to function effectively and efficiently. Strong internal controls reduce waste and the improper use of resources and help the college to comply with applicable laws and regulations. All of us play an important role in this effort because it is the ethical values, integrity, competence and hard work of an organization’s people that ultimately make it successful.

In accordance with the New York State Governmental Accountability, Audit and Internal Control Act of 1987, SUNY Plattsburgh established a program to evaluate the overall state of the college’s internal control systems and report deficiencies. The Internal Control Program uses a committee structure (the Internal Control Committee or ICC) to coordinate reviews in selected areas of the campus that, by the nature of the activities involved, present potential risks to the college. Each year, selected areas are reviewed to determine the effectiveness of existing controls. Reviews sometime result in suggested changes to operating practices or may simply establish that existing controls appear adequate. Many thanks to those of you, who have participated in the reviews, and I urge your continued full support and participation in keeping our risks low.

Being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, modeling ethical behavior while meeting our job requirements, and suggesting opportunities for improvement are ways that we can all put these core values into practice every day. Establishing and then following good systems of internal control are a means by which we incorporate these values into the fabric of our departments and offices.

To keep you informed about various issues, the committee issues a newsletter each semester. The Internal Control Notebook provides important information about policies and procedures and how you can protect your information as well as others. In addition, we should all take time to review the brochure, “Introduction to Internal Control.” 

The Internal Control Notebook and the brochure are available on line at www.plattsburgh.edu/president/internalcontrolhome.php along with other information about our Internal Control Program.  All supervisors are also encouraged to review the information with their staff and to have a dialogue about internal controls and how they relate to their specific operations.

If you are interested in learning more about Internal Controls, the New York State Office of State Comptroller has developed an interactive website about internal controls. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the training module and self report your participation to your supervisor and with Cindy Fuller, 564-2538 or fullerc@plattsburgh.edu

Should you have questions about the Internal Control Program or want to schedule a training session or individual meeting, please contact Mr. John Homburger, Vice President for Administration, (564-2130) or David Gregoire, Internal Control Coordinator (564-3613).

Internal Control Hotline

Faculty, staff, and students who suspect intentional or unintentional misuse involving state funds, equipment, supplies or other irregular or unethical practices may anonymously report matters of concern to the Internal Control Committee through the Internal Control Hotline (voice mailbox) at 866-633-6112. Your information — not your name — could prove useful in reducing losses.

 

2012 Internal Control Committee

John Homburger (518-564-2130)
Vice President for Administration
Internal Control Officer

Dave Gregoire (518-564-3613)
Director of Advancement Services, Institutional Advancement
Internal Control Coordinator

Thomas Corigliano (518-792-5425)
Associate Dean, SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury

Jeff Dengler (518-564-2032)
Comptroller, College Auxiliary Services

Clark Foster (518-564-3601)
Budget Control Officer, Budgeting

Holly Heller-Ross (518-564-5192)
Librarian, Feinberg Library
Chair, Information Security Committee

Diana LaPorte (518-564-2539)
Associate Vice President for Administration and Management Services

Diane Merkel (518-564-2195)
Assistant Provost

Dr. Edward Miller (518-564-3252)
Associate Dean, Arts & Science
Distinguished Service Professor, Chemistry

Matthew Salvatore (518-564-3142)
Fitness Center Director

Keith Tyo (518-564-3930)
Executive Assistant to the President

Diane Wyand (518-564-2130)
Controller, Accounting

Cindy Fuller (518-564-2538)
Information Technology Specialist, Management Services
Recorder