I hope this note finds you well, and warm, as I write with updates concerning recent activities that you may find of interest. I hope you all had a restful and meaningful Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and were able to reflect on the pageantry of the presidential inauguration. The new administration brings with it both excitement and uncertainty, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting our campus community and to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment. It is hard to believe that the Spring semester is upon us, as classes begin tomorrow!

Our enrollment picture continues to be solid and stable. Our January intercession saw almost 10% more students than Winter 2024, and our Spring numbers are trending 3-5% above last year, too. This is largely due to increased retention, although the number of “new” students—which includes those transferring or returning from an absence—are also contributing to our numbers. This is good news all around and I thank everyone for your efforts in getting us here.

Of course, challenges with budget remain and as we are now in the second half of our fiscal year, we must remain especially prudent in our spending if we want to achieve our savings target. Governor Hochul’s recently released state budget provides some much-needed relief, and I and others will advocate for its adoption (and for restoration of some items) in Albany over the coming weeks and months. We will also continue to work with our local elected officials to secure much-needed funding from the City Council, and from other sources, as well.

In addition to working with elected officials, we are also working closely with our community partners to advance important initiatives. I again met with our friends at Richmond University Medical Center this week, and next week brings meetings with the Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities to discuss potential opportunities for collaboration. I will also be meeting with private funders and on Monday will be representing the Council of Presidents at the CUNY Board’s Committee on Finance and Administration. It is my hope and expectation that these efforts at advocating for our campus will yield fruit, and I thank you all for making the College of Staten Island an “easy sell” to prospective funders!

Next week also brings with it the inaugural CUNY acknowledgment of Lunar New Year—and a Happy Year of the Snake to those who celebrate. This holiday along with Diwali and a pair of Eid acknowledgments is one of several new ones added to the CUNY calendar and demonstrates the University’s unwavering commitment to celebrating its diversity.

On a more solemn note, International Holocaust Remembrance Day will be observed next week. In its honor, we will host an educational event on Tuesday to pay tribute to the memory of those who perished and to reflect on the lessons of this tragic chapter in history. Please be sure to register in advance if you wish to attend.

I wish you all a great start to the Spring semester!

Until next time,

Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)