Academic Senate Meeting Minutes

Steering Committee Chairperson Dr. Litroff called the fifth regularly scheduled meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 3:14 PM. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, with attendees in M136 and ZOOM. Dr. Litroff chaired the meeting from M-136.

I. Attendance

55 were recorded when attendance was taken, and 62 members of the Academic Senate were present during the meeting.

Absent:  Lorraine Cupelli, Jeff Jankowski, Susan Karimi, Zivah Perel Katz, David Lieberman, Isabella Lizzul, Andrew Nguyen, Joselyn Ojeda, Jose Osorio, Emil Parrinello, Sabreen Qaisar, Laura Rachiele, MD Mahbubur Rahman, Andrea Salis, Celia Sporer, Jaskaran Singh, Isabel Torres, and Haishen Yao

II. Approval of the Agenda 

Dr. Litroff requested a change in the order of the agenda so that James Nicholas, Chairperson of the WID WAC, could add WID WAC recertification to new business. Dr. Litroff used unanimous consent to approve the agenda, and there were no objections.

III.  Consideration of the minutes from December 10, 2024 (Attachment A)

Dr. Litroff used unanimous consent to approve the agenda.

IV. Communications from:

• President Mangino's Report 

President Mangino stated that the State of the College is not transcribed yet and will be posted online once it is. If anyone would like a video copy, please let President Mangino.President Mangino thanked everyone who volunteered for the Middle States Standards. There were over 70 volunteers who will get one of their three choices. We are working with Citizenship Now who will service over campus once a month through ZOOM. If students, faculty, or staff need to meet with them, please go through ARI. There are red cards throughout the campus for students to hand to ICE, should they be stopped and do not have to talk to ICE. Student Affairs has activities for those experiencing stress and mental health concerns. A schedule will be put together for events for faculty and staff and will be shared once the schedule is put in order

• Communication from the Liaison to the University Faculty Senate  - Dr. Emily Tai

There is no UFS meeting on which to report. To follow up on what President Mangino stated, there was a UFS meeting regarding immigration issues and protecting our students. If anyone would like that document, please let Dr. Tai know. UFS elections are coming up which include one, three-year three-year-position and 2 alternate, one-year position. There are six plenaries a year and they all take place on a Tuesday evening, usually proceeded by committee meetings. Dr. Cornick and Dr. Tai are available if anyone has questions.

The Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislature Caucus of New York State has endorsed the proposal for reduced or free Metro cards for all CUNY students.

• Steering Committee Monthly Report 

There will be elections this semester and everyone should have received an email from the Committee on Committees for anyone interested in serving on standing committees of the Academic Senate. It is an important service for the college. There will also be At Large Elections and please check when your terms expire which can also be found on the roster. Annual reports are due by the date of Spring graduation and not the following semester.

 

V. Monthly Reports

       • Committee on Curriculum (Attachment B) – Dr. Vazgen Shekoyan

Biology AS Program
Yes: 60
No: 0
Abstain:  2 – Amy Choudhury and Miguel Long

 

VI.  New Business 

James Nicols, Chairperson of WID/WAC, reported that recertification will be coming out soon, and in previous years the response was poor. Please comply with the recertification when the email is received. Clarification was asked about the requirements for recertification.

VII. Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:30 PM

Philip Nelan, Secretary