I hope this email finds you well as I write with updates and information that you may find of interest since my last communication. It is hard to believe that as the weather warms and the calendar soon turns to April, we look beyond mid-terms and to the impending approach of graduation activities.
This week, I had the opportunity to attend the CUNY Board of Trustees meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee. As the liaison from the Council of Presidents, I am a non-voting member, but the opportunity to participate allows for an important window into important processes and policies. We discussed actions related to the awarding of contracts, reviewed personnel actions, and received an update on the state budget timeline. The information allows a look into “how the sausage is made” and is often insightful. The meeting also provides an informal opportunity to speak with board members—and those who assume various roles within the Central Office—about the needs and priorities of our campus and system. I try to never miss an opportunity to share our many challenges and, even more importantly, our successes, and I hope that you appreciate (and can join me) in this advocacy. I also met with the other Senior College Presidents to discuss audit activities related to college foundations, infrastructure issues, presidential review processes, and preparations for the upcoming commencement season.
I also had the opportunity to participate in our contractually mandated Labor Management Committee meeting, where members of the administration hosted our colleagues from the PSC to discuss matters of importance to their members and the greater campus community. We discussed facilities concerns (especially important was news of increased rodent (mice) sightings in some buildings. As we increase our engagement with exterminators and step up garbage collection, I urge you to please keep your workplaces clean and free of foodstuffs, which should be maintained in sealed containers). We also discussed protections for members of our community who come from historically marginalized communities and matters related to the new contract. It was a cordial and productive meeting that bodes well for forward action on a number of fronts.
With all due respect to my friends on the Board of Trustees and on the PSC, my favorite meeting of the week was “Pizza with the President” on Tuesday, where I spoke with students from our Physical Therapy and Nursing programs. The students were free and open in discussing why they chose CSI, their experiences since matriculating, and ways we can better serve those in some of our highest-achieving programs. They were effusive in their praise of our faculty and staff, particularly when it comes to clinical placement activities and how they feel personally responsible for upholding the high standards and stellar reputation of CSI (and their programs) when they are out in the community. It is always a pleasure to hear such validating stories about the transformational work we are doing here and across CUNY. Unfortunately, that meeting prevented my participation at the CSI Counseling Center’s Relaxation Station, which is a shame as I could use some stress relief in my life! I appreciate the work that the team did to put on such a great event and I urge you all to take good care of yourselves—and each other—during these challenging times.
This week, the creativity and talent of our student and faculty artists were on full display on campus and across the City. Here at CSI, our student jazz musicians delivered two outstanding performances under the direction of faculty members Vincent Guarna and Darrell Smith. Elsewhere, CSI artists are making a strong showing at the Brooklyn Fine Art Print Fair, with students and faculty showcasing their work through the weekend under the leadership of Professor and Chair Miguel Aragón. My busy week concludes with a trip to Queens College this afternoon, where I will root for our Men’s Baseball team as they take on our ECC and CUNY rivals. President Wu playfully suggested the loser should shave their head, and while I have every expectation that we will win the game, I have already lost enough hair from this job that I cannot afford any more if we didn’t come out on top!
Until next time, (and Go Dolphins!),
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
