I hope this mid-month email finds you well as I write with updates and information that you may find of interest.
This week was an unusually busy one, with several important events and commemorations. On Monday, my week began by hosting CUNY’s new Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, Todd Galitz. Todd toured our facility, met with our Advancement staff, and stopped by Cabinet to share his perspective and ideas about how we can grow philanthropy and elevate friend-raising and fundraising for the College. In terms of fundraising, we are now in the “Season of Giving” and I encourage you to consider supporting the College and its greatest needs by making a contribution. I am especially grateful for your support as this will allow me to quiet the incessant chirping of my friend and colleague Claudia Schrader, President of York College, who has challenged me (and us!) to out-earn her this year. (CSI Instagram)
On Tuesday, we honored our military veterans with our annual flag-display on alumni walk and a meet-and-greet at our Veterans Support Services Center that afternoon. My thanks to Director Laura Scazzafavo and to friend of CSI Lorraine DiPaolo for joining me in recognizing the contributions of our student (and employee) veterans. As a military-friendly and Purple Heart institution, we take seriously our commitment to do right by those members of our community who have done well by our country. This was a sentiment on full display that evening at an event on Staten Island hosted by recent gala honoree Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was attended by several members of our Administration.
Tuesday also bought the most recent rendition of “Tea with Tim” where I met with several members of our Human Resources Office. We discussed challenges related to remote work, plans for professional development, reasonable accommodations, and myriad other topics. Some of these issues formed the basis of conversations with the College Council Executive Committee, which held its monthly consultation regarding next week’s meeting, and with the HEO Steering Committee, with whom I met on Thursday. These meetings focused on facilities issues, concerns related to staffing and hiring, and the role of faculty and staff in advancing our Strategic Plan. On that last topic, the Institutional Planning Committee met on Friday to discuss how we are advancing “Bridge to Success” and how we can move “from aspiration to operation.”
Wednesday saw me at the Chancellery for a full-day Council of Presidents meeting, where the agenda included conversations related to “The Institute for Citizens and Scholars,” the current state of the University’s enrollment and budget situation, and matters related to academic efficiencies, the anticipated impact of the recent mayoral election, and other topics. The meeting also provided an opportunity to hear from my colleagues regarding their recent attendance at Somos and other conferences, and how they are planning to navigate the current political climate. It was, as always, a fruitful (but very long) day! My attendance at this event prevented me from partaking in the wonderful “Thanksgiving Buffet” prepared by Dining Services, but I wanted to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our colleagues in putting this together: it is one of my favorite annual events. My busy week ended with an informal “Pizza with the President” where VP Gordon and I met with international students to discuss their experiences and reassure them that our College and University have resources available to assist them during these challenging times. It was wonderful to hear about why they chose to study at the College of Staten Island and of their plans for the future. Our students inspire me every day.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and as we are now in Native American Heritage month, the historian in me cannot help but recommend that you learn more about the indigenous inhabitants of Staten Island online. There will be a quiz next week!
Until next time,
Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D.
