Joseph S. Franek, Jr., Resident Assistant of the Year Award

The Office of Residential Life/Learning Communities established an award to recognize the hard work and dedication of resident assistants at The College at Brockport in 2003. In 2011, the office renamed the award to honor Joseph S. Franek, Jr., who had served the College community for more than 30 years before his retirement that year.

During his tenure with Brockport, Mr. Franek worked in residence life as director of Residential Life/Learning Communities. He initiated installation of cable television and corresponding programming, implemented diverse living options to provide students with choices, promoted alcohol awareness programs when the New York State drinking age was 18, and managed the transition on campus as the state drinking age was raised to 19- and then to 21-years-of-age.

He was concerned for students and developed a proposal to SUNY to reduce dorm rates so living on campus would be competitive with living off campus. He managed dormitory facilities during a time of growth in the student body, during a decrease in student numbers, and again during another increase in student population. Mr. Franek received praise in a 1984 editorial in The Stylus as an example of an approachable leader on campus who is willing to hear student viewpoints on issues.

To qualify for the Joseph S. Franek, Jr., Resident Assistant of the Year Award, applicants must have served at least two semesters as a residential assistant who exceeds all performance criteria and maintains a positive attitude. Applicants also should demonstrate qualities of a role model, educator, team player, and resource person.