Where serious conversations take place.
Please note the following revised summer hours of operation for Dining Services:
Campus Center
Monday, July 22 to Sunday, Aug. 25:
Mon-Thursday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday/Sunday: Closed
Cyber Café
Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Friday, July 26 to Monday, Aug. 26: Closed
Dolphin Express and the Park Café will remain closed until Fall 2019.
The submission deadline for the first annual Faculty Technology Day (Tuesday, May 7, 2019), focused on implementing technology in the classroom has been extended to Monday, Apr. 15, 2019. We invite you to submit a proposal for an oral presentation or poster presentation addressing the online focus questions.
We look forward to developing informative and dynamic conversation, facilitating interdisciplinary discussion and interactive demonstration around proposed topics, through Q & A and discussion sessions.
I write to explain my anticipated absence from many campus events over the next six weeks. I normally do not share details of my personal health but feel it best to be candid at this point. I have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer that is quite advanced. My doctors recommend immediate surgery as the best course of action. While the procedure gives the best chance for a complete recovery, it will require an extended time to recuperate. I still have a number of tests but will likely have the surgery in early to mid-April. I should be able to keep most of my regular appointments before then. After the surgery, I anticipate being able to work and oversee campus issues but may need to limit my calendared meetings and attendance at certain events. If all goes according to plan, I will have a regular schedule in early to mid-May and will be able to preside over commencement. During times that I am unavailable, Michael Parrish, as Senior Vice President, will serve as administrator in charge.
I also want to take this time to remind all men of the importance of regular PSA tests. Normally, prostate cancer is viewed as the “good cancer” because it is slow growing and “watchful waiting” is often the initial treatment option. However, this is not always the case. Cancer is the number 2 killer of men (behind cardiac problems) and prostate cancer is the number 2 cancer killer, behind lung cancer. I am on an advocacy mission to correct the terminology – there is nothing good about it! In my case, because of family history, I have had PSA tests for a long time. Recently my numbers rose quickly but were still in the “watchful waiting” range. It took an especially vigilant diagnostician to review my history and other indicators and to order a biopsy when “watchful waiting” was indicated by the PSA values alone. In my case, waiting could have had severe consequences.
Please, if you are not already doing so, discuss with your physician the best time to start monitoring and do not skip a test!
I apologize for being so detailed with my personal health but I felt it best to keep you informed and I hope that my story will stress the importance of yearly health checkups for everyone. I look forward to being back on campus fit and healthy before the end of the semester.
The College of Staten Island’s Sustainability Initiative has launched its campaign to make CSI more sustainable and cleaner, one bottle at a time, collecting nearly 6,000 bottles and cans in its first 14 weeks. What had initially started as a sustainable impact competition among CSI’s athletic teams quickly developed into a collaboration encompassing the Division of Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations; CSI Athletics; Facilities Management and Operational Services; and the AHRC NYC Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program. As a result of the energy and commitment of CSI students to have a more sustainable campus and the success of this pilot initiative, the recycling campaign expanded from the Sports and Recreation Center to include the Campus Center and Dolphin Cove student housing complexes.
This collaboration was made in partnership with PepsiCo, which provided free “Dream Machine” recycling bins. CSI effectively joined their mission to “increase the U.S. recycling rate for beverage containers.” On par with their vision that “bigger change starts with one bottle, with one person, with one action,” CSI’s Sustainability Initiative will set a goal to collect 15,000 bottles and cans by the end of the Spring 2019 semester. All proceeds will be used to replace a water filling station in the Sports and Recreation Center to encourage students, faculty, and staff use reusable water bottles.
Major contributors to this initiative are the hard-working students in the AHRC NYC Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program, whose mission is “supporting people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to build full lives.” Melissa Riggio students have been diligently tabling at events, educating students, faculty, and staff about the importance of recycling and raising awareness of how waste is created on campus. One of their senior students, Jared, decided to join the Sustainability Club in its recycling efforts as part of his final project, which is meant to address personal goals, interests, and community engagement. Jared has expressed in the past that he would like to learn how to recycle and use natural resources efficiently. Since Jared has joined the Sustainability Club, he has learned the importance and significance of recycling.
The Sustainability Club was able to provide Melissa Riggio students with weekly workshops during the Winter Semester and helped involve them not only in their own projects, but into activities around the campus. That level of involvement is a large goal for the program, as it provides Melissa Riggio students with the opportunity to be a part of the campus community and gives other students a more open and diverse experience while attending college.
The Core 100 program invites students and faculty from the College to join us for our weekly lecture series. Each week, all of the first-year students participate in lecture-discussions with about 400 of their classmates. We have space in the Center for the Arts (Building 1P) Williamson Theatre to accommodate individual guests and can have as many as two additional classes at each of the lectures. No permission is needed for classes to attend, but please notify Donna Scimeca (718.982.3405) if you plan to bring a class.
The lectures are 50 minutes and are all in the Williamson Theatre. They meet on the following days/times: Wednesdays at 11:15am; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm; and on Saturdays at 10:10am in Building 1P, Room 119.
The focus of the Core Lecture Series this semester will be to directly link the program’s curriculum to current events.
The Lecture Series Schedule for the
Week of Feb. 4, 2019
Wednesday, Feb 6:
-11:15am: Corelandia presented by Victor Miller and Faculty
Students will review the procedures and rules for Corelandia. Additionally, they will play a mini-game in order to understand how decision making in government works.
Victor Miller earned a BA in History at the College of Staten Island in 2005 and an MS in Adolescent Education in 2008. He has been an Adjunct of Core 100 since February 2012 and currently also works in the Center for Advising and Academic Success. Victor is the of author of the “Summer of ’87” Reacting to the Past classroom simulation and also recently served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.
Thursday, Feb. 7:
-8:00am: “Impeachment,” presented by Edward Manganel
Impeachment resolutions have already been introduced in the House of Representatives. As the Mueller investigation nears completion, the impeachment of President Trump seems more and more a possibility. This lecture will discuss the impeachment procedure, proscribed by the Constitution, and the Congressional political dynamic resulting from the 2018 Midterm Elections.
Edward Manganel received his BA fom Marist College and his MA from University of Colorado. He is former Chair of the Social Studies Department and APUS History teacher at Monsignor Farrell HS, teaching at CSI for 25 years and Core 100 for ten years.
-10:10am: “Impeachment: The Constitution’s Nuclear Option,” presented by William Fallon
Today’s political climate has created rhetoric that is extremely volatile at times, especially when invoking the word “Impeachment” toward the President repeatedly. This lecture will explore impeachment–its necessity in our Constitution, its previous attempts at removing sitting Presidents from the Oval Office, and its potential re-emergence as it relates to Mueller’s investigation and Donald Trump. There will be ample time for Q+A to discuss these concepts and their significance.
William Fallon has been an Adjunct Lecturer in CSI’s Core Program since 2015. He was awarded his MA in History from CSI in 2013. Additionally, in January 2018, Professor Fallon became the first student ever at CSI to be awarded a Certificate in Public History.
-4:40pm: “Social Justice and Constitutional Democracy in Everyday Life,” presented by Patrice Buffaloe
The goal of this lecture is to have students engage in a meaningful discussion on the concept of privilege, specifically, ableist privilege through the lens of Constitutional Democracy. In short, the lecture will address and answer the following question: How do we ensure that all Americans have access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Patrice Buffaloe is a proud graduate of the College of Staten Island. In 2003, she earned her MA in Liberal Arts and 2005, her MS in Adolescent Education. Professor Buffaloe holds New York State certification teaching licenses in Special Education, Grades 7–12; Social Studies, Grades 7–12; and Elementary Education, Grades 1–6. She has had the pleasure of teaching EDS 201 and EDD 602 the Social Historical Foundation of Education to pre-service teachers with a focus on urban education and the effect of social, economic; and political conditions on the public education system. However, Professor Buffaloe is most proud of the work she does with the students in the Core 100 classes.
-6:30pm: “Freedom of the Press,” presented by Anthony Casella
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Having a “free press” is essential to our American democracy, but, when the press frames news to fit a particular political view, are they abusing their 1st Amendment right? Are they serving the best interest of American citizens?
Anthony Casella has been a member of the Core faculty since 2009. He received both a BA in History and an MS in Science in Education from St. John’s University. Professor Casella also received an MA in Administration and Supervision from CSI/CUNY. He is currently an Assistant Principal at PS 25R South Richmond HS on Staten Island.
Can you sing, dance, play an instrument, tell a joke, do magic, juggle, yo-yo, or mime?
Whatever your talent, we want you to audition for “CSI’s Got Talent.”
The top ten to 12 most talented acts will compete on the evening of Wednesday, Apr. 17.
The top three acts will receive prizes: First Place: $2,250; Second Place: $750; Third Place: $250
First-Round Auditions will be held on the following dates:
Friday, Feb. 22, 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Thursday, Feb. 28, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
A semi-finals round of auditions will be held in mid-March.
To SIGN UP for an audition, please complete the application.
Students must log in with their CIX email and Password to access the application form (firstname.lastname@cix.csi.cuny.edu and password you use to access campus computers and the wireless).
In order to be eligible to audition:
• You must be a CSI student registered for classes in Spring 2019
• You must be in good standing with the College (including a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better)
• CSI student(s) must have a prominent role in the performance
• You may only audition for one performance (either as an individual or as part of a group and in only one talent category)
• Cash prize winners from previous “CSI’s Got Talent” competitions are not eligible to audition
If you have trouble accessing the application, please call 718.982.3268 or email debi.kee@csi.cuny.edu. You will receive a confirmation email verifying your audition time. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call 718.982.3268 to verify that your application has been received.
Audition slots are limited, so students are encouraged to register early. Auditions will be scheduled in the order they are received. Completed applications must be submitted by Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 by 4:00pm. The Office of Student Life reserves the right to close or extend the acceptance of applications based on the number of responses received.
“CSI’s Got Talent” is sponsored by the Office of Student Life, the Campus Activities Board, Student Government, and WSIA-FM.
For more information about “CSI’s Got Talent” and the audition process, please contact Debi Kee at 718.982.3268 or email studentlife@csi.cuny.edu.
The Foreign Language requirement at CSI is proficiency based. This means that students have to reach a certain level of competency in a language. Many majors require students to attain an intermediate level of proficiency. For a beginning language learner, this will require three sequential semesters of a foreign language (112, 114, 213). Students who have previously studied a language or are heritage speakers may be “fast-tracked” and placed directly in level 114 or 213– or the equivalent Spanish heritage speakers courses (119, 219)– reducing the number of semesters of language study required. Students who have experience with a language should take the placement exam in order to know what level course to begin their studies at CSI.
The Fast Track exam for Chinese Mandarin, French, Italian, and Spanish is offered every Friday on a walk-in basis from 10:00am to 3:00pm in the Modern Languages Media Center (Building 2S, Room 114). Late afternoon/evening hours will resume in April for the Spring-Summer 2019 testing session.
For placement into American Sign Language courses, please contact Professor Rosen at russell.rosen@csi.cuny.edu.
For placement into Arabic courses, please contact the Department of World Languages and Literatures at 718.982.3700, or visit Building 2S, Room 109.
President Fritz has approved Christopher Cuccia, Higher Education Assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs, as employee of the month for February 2019.