Arthur Ford

The meeting agenda includes opening remarks, a report from the Provost, and a report from the Administrative Committee covering approved curriculum changes, the upcoming meeting schedule for the next academic year, the university-wide college calendar, the ceremonial adoption of graduation candidates, and the election of officers and at-large members. Additionally, the Senate will address the third reading by the Committee on Charter Review, and receive reports from the Committee on General Education and the Committee on Academic Assessment & Evaluation.

The meeting included an update on Middle States accreditation and a special election for vacant at-large seats. Various curriculum changes were presented for information, and an election was held for an at-large member of the Administrative Committee. The Committee on Charter Review presented several proposed revisions to the Charter that are scheduled for discussion and voting in upcoming sessions. Additionally, the Undergraduate Academic Requirements Committee presented a resolution to amend the Undergraduate Course Repeat Policy at Hunter College, which was discussed before the meeting was adjourned due to a lack of quorum.

The Hunter College Senate meeting focused on several key issues, including a chair's report regarding the impact of federal administration initiatives on higher education and guidance on advocating for academic freedom and student support. The senate conducted a special election for vacant seats, approved various curriculum changes, and received updates on the search committees for the Vice President for Administration and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Additionally, the senate approved a resolution to amend the Undergraduate Retroactive Withdrawal policy to include a deadline for appeals, discussed revisions to the Hunter College Grade Appeals Procedures, and received a report from the Committee on Academic Freedom. The meeting also featured a presentation on the Middle States accreditation process, detailing institutional priorities and the structure of various working groups.

The meeting included extensive remarks from the Chair concerning the nuances and limitations of academic freedom as outlined in a recent CUNY Central email, contrasting CUNY's interpretation with AAUP standards, and questioning terms like 'due interference' and 'hostile environment.' Key agenda items involved updates on the Middle States accreditation process, the Provost's report highlighting new appointments (Special Advisor on Community Engagement and the Executive Director of the Sorensen Center), and ongoing initiatives to promote Intellectual Discourse and Constructive Dialogue, including 'Real Talk' sessions and the 'Perspectives' training program. Furthermore, the Administrative Committee reported on approved curriculum changes and the re-election of several committee chairs. The body received updates on strategic planning initiatives corresponding to five institutional goals identified from the DREAM survey. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Brookdale decanting project, detailing the relocation plans for Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and the School of Nursing, as well as the ongoing construction timelines. The establishment of a Search Committee for the Dean of the School of Health Professions was announced, with elections scheduled for the subsequent meeting.

The meeting commenced with the Chair's remarks outlining recent attacks on shared governance from federal and state governments, specifically mentioning impacts on faculty oversight of curriculum and academic freedom in various states. Key discussion points included the President's report on robust Fall 2025 enrollment figures, the launch of new scholar programs (Salud Scholars and NextGen Scholars), and the introduction of the ACE program and the Transfer Student Success Center. Significant time was dedicated to discussing support for immigrant students amidst federal actions, including grant cuts (such as McNair and TRIO grants) and potential financial aid reductions (SEOG, work-study, Grad PLUS loans). The President also provided updates on faculty and staff hiring, staff recognition awards, and various college celebrations and acquisitions, such as Billie Holiday's papers and the States of Incarceration Exhibit. The Administrative Committee approved curriculum changes and the election of student nominees for a Search Committee for the Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences. The meeting also featured reports on the Syllabus Checklist and the Middle States Accreditation self-study preparation visit.