I hope this mid-month message finds you well. I write with information and updates that you may find of interest.
This week has seen significant events, on campus and off. In addition to meetings with community partners (the National Lighthouse Museum and the Viscardi Center), I had the opportunity to engage with other college presidents at our annual East Coast Conference meeting, and with other CUNY leaders at the monthly Council of Presidents meeting. In the former, we discussed issues related to membership, the state of intercollegiate athletics, the transfer portal, and Name, Image, and Likeness. The world of Division II athletics and the NCAA is changing rapidly and the busy agenda certainly reflected that. In the latter, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez expressed his appreciation for outgoing University Faculty Senate Chair (and CSI Professor) John Verzani; I want to echo the Chancellor’s remarks and applaud John for his staunch advocacy for faculty rights and being a true thought partner with me over the past four years. Thank you John! We also discussed matters related to the city and state budget, enrollment, advancement, research activities, and the exciting work of CUNY Beyond, which partners with local employers to provide meaningful real-world opportunities for thousands of students. It is my hope that every student at CSI has an experiential learning activity prior to their graduation—study abroad, clinical placements, internships, and community activism open so many doors for the world of work and civic engagement.
This was a message I delivered on Thursday at the Chazanoff School of Business’ annual Lunch with the Dean. Together with the prior day’s “Signing Event,” we were able to capture the wide range of activities that CSoB students have been doing this year, and plan to do this summer. Many thanks to Dean Holak for the invitation and to her team for providing such meaningful real-world opportunities for our students. That evening, I attended dinner with Student Government leaders as part of their annual Summit Awards, where I heard of their positive experiences at the College, as well as their future plans. I left feeling truly inspired and in awe of their level of engagement (more than 30 students were recognized). Engaged students are happy students, and happy students are returning students (and giving alumni after they graduate)!
Speaking of happy students, many who fit that description attended the annual Senior Toast, where soon-to-be-graduates were symbolically inducted into the CSI Alumni Association; many thanks to Jackie Lamberti for organizing this always fun event. Similarly with our inaugural Students of Color Graduation Ceremony: many thanks to the team that organized this important event, which I hope becomes an annual tradition. At a time when events like these are increasingly under attack, it is affirming to see continued embrace of diversity efforts at CSI and across CUNY. As the nearly 70 participants can attest, we stand committed to the principles of equity and opportunity for all members of our community.
In the spirit of celebrating students, this week also saw the opening of the BFA Senior Art Exhibition “Inner | Workings,” which will run through May 28, with a closing reception after Commencement. I also hope you attended one of several student recitals taking place in 1P this week (or will attend those being held next week) and thank our dedicated faculty led by Music Program Coordinator Bill Bauer (CSI Young Artists’ Recital, Sylvia Kahan, director – CSI CONNECT).
My busy week also included meetings with the College Council Executive Committee (where we reviewed matters that will be addressed at next week’s College Council meeting—the last of the academic year), and with members of the PSC, where we discussed the Mayor’s Executive Budget and other concerns relevant to our collective bargaining agreement. I thank my colleagues from the faculty and staff for their ongoing commitment to shared governance and cordial, though candid, conversations. I also met with the Institutional Planning Committee (to continue the operationalization of our Strategic Plan) and with CUNY Central about our ongoing fiscal challenges (although we remain on track to finish the year with a balanced budget).
This week ended with the Finnie Awards, celebrating the success of our student-athletes—I congratulate them on their commitment to sports, dedication to scholarship, and being ambassadors for our campus.
Next week brings another full slate of activities, including the second annual Jodi Merendino-Bencivenga 5K this Sunday, an event that honors the legacy of a much-beloved employee who always put our students first. Hope to see many of you there!
Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D.
President, College of Staten Island
The City University of New York
2800 Victory Blvd, SI, NY 10314
718.982.2400
