I hope this mid-month message finds you well as I write with updates and information that you may find of interest. I hope that those who celebrate had a lovely Mother’s Day weekend, and I apologize for not acknowledging that earlier. Since my last communication, the campus has been alive with activity—for example CSI Spirit Week, with myriad fun activities—and I thank the staff in Student Affairs, especially Student Life, who were responsible for much of the programming (and thanks to our partners in Student Government for their generous funding of these events, as well!). As we approach the end-of-the-term meetings with on- and off-campus stakeholders, I have been kept busy and engaged.
The end of the semester is a typically busy time as folks seek to tie up loose ends before heading into the summer. That has been true of this year as in the past. Recently, I met with faculty and staff from the RELAY team, a BRESI-affiliated collective who seek to employ restorative justice to advance equity and belonging at CSI. That meeting sought to place their work in a larger institutional context, and provided insight into their roles as facilitators, mediators, and ombudspersons. I appreciate their partnership as we look to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone at the College, and their participation in constructive dialogue will certainly advance that initiative. This meeting was followed by one with the faculty advisory group from the Center for Global Engagement, which sought clarity on the institution’s (CSI and CUNY) position relative to changes emanating from the federal government. The frank conversation surfaced anxiety on the part of many members but also reassurances that we are continuing to work with our counterparts across the system to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect academic freedom, and to reiterate our commitment to the principles that are central to our individual and collective missions. These conversations similarly informed the monthly consultation with the College Council Executive Committee, and with the Executive Committee of the PSC, where we also provided updates on facility projects and other matters. The transparent and open approach to vexing issues and willingness to engage in difficult conversations is at the heart of our approach to shared governance.
Last week, I also had the great pleasure of meeting with Dr. Chris Rosa, a longtime CUNY friend who now directs the Viscardi Center, the leading venue to educate, employ, and empower individuals with disabilities. As May marks Disability Awareness Month, my visit to their Long Island campus was timely and eye-opening: we had a wide-ranging conversation and tour, and brainstormed ideas about how-to better partner around myriad issues. Given our legacy of place, our commitment to access and inclusion, and our recently announced expansion of the Willowbrook archives, such a partnership makes eminent sense and I look forward to seeing where this leads. I also had the spring meeting of the East Coast Conference member institutions, where we reviewed last year’s activities, planned for the coming terms, and had deep conversations about looming changes and challenges with intercollegiate athletics. Our D2 Dolphins are on the rise, and we expect them to be a source of pride and a recruitment, revenue, and enrollment driver in the future. Congratulations to our Baseball team who made history qualifying for their first-ever Division II postseason playoffs and to Head Coach Michael Mauro for winning ECC Coach of the Year, sophomore Chris Polemeni winning ECC Player of the Year, and Jack Kehoe for winning ECC Rookie of the Year.
This week saw Staten Island’s annual Women of Distinction luncheon, where two of our outstanding students were recognized for their scholarly achievements and community engagement, the final meetings of the College Council and Faculty Senate for the spring term, where—inter alia—we voted to approve the full slate of graduates for degree conferral. We also discussed plans for Commencement and other year-end celebrations, and the impact of federal actions on funded research. These were, as always, fruitful and fulsome discussions. The week also brought a visit from Vice Chancellor Mohamed Attalla, where we discussed the state of various capital projects on our campus, and the timelines for others. It is good to see many initiatives moving ahead, and we are thankful for the relationship we have with his Office of Facilities Planning as well as with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, with whom I have also been in regular communication. I also participated in the monthly Council of Presidents meeting where we received updates on the enacted State and City budgets (good news!), our enrollment projections (even better!!) and other topics. It has been a hectic few weeks, indeed!
A central theme of many recent conversations has been our plans for Commencement and how to handle potential disruptions or protests that day. We are working closely with Public Safety and with our partners at CUNY Central and elsewhere to mitigate the impact of such potentialities and more information about those plans will be disseminated shortly. Needless to say, everyone is looking forward to a day that is celebratory and focused on the accomplishments of our sensational students and the faculty and staff who helped them achieve this milestone!
In closing, I would like to thank my partners in shared governance, Susan Smith-Peter and Jason Bishop, who announced they are no longer leading the Faculty Senate and PSC, respectively. I appreciate their willingness to work with the administration in a collaborative fashion and I look forward to continuing that work with their successors.
Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
