Darlene Blanco

Key discussions during the meeting included the Executive Committee Report, which covered efforts to monetize the St. George facility, planning for HR workshops, concerns over low numbers of assistant professors and faculty position declines since 2017, and the commencement speeches ad hoc committee report. The President's Report highlighted the success of the Giving Tuesday campaign, positive enrollment projections for the intersession and Spring semester, and confirmation that the college was on track to end the fiscal year in a surplus. The President also offered condolences regarding recent tragic events. The Professional Staff Congress reported on upcoming member events, including a lobbying day in Albany. The Administration's Facilities Update detailed completed projects such as solar fields and Makerspace, ongoing construction like entrance doors, and several projects in design, including elevator modernization and toilet reconstruction. The By-Laws Committee decided against adding prohibitive language regarding administrators serving on executive committees, opting to rely on established norms. The Budget Committee reviewed first-quarter numbers and emphasized the goal of building reserves up to 5% of the operating budget. The Student Government Report detailed fall activities, including five completed initiatives, thirteen accomplished events like a Halloween Bash and Club Fair, and the establishment of a podcast, alongside outlining the process for the $100,000 Special Community Proposals Fund. The HEO Steering Committee discussed improving communication with HEOs and ensuring their participation in professional development and executive searches.

The meeting commenced with the introduction of items for approval. The primary action item discussed was the approval of the minutes from the October 25th, 2025 meeting. Following the approval of the minutes, a motion was carried to move the meeting into executive session, pursuant to specific sections of the public officers law, to discuss matters pertaining to personnel investigations, litigation, and collective negotiations.

The meeting included actions taken during a public session following an executive session. Key resolutions approved covered various operational and academic matters, including approving fees for courses at Brooklyn College's Firestein Graduate School of Cinema, authorizing an academic excellence fee for the Master of Science in City Planning Program at Baroo College, authorizing a purchase for Dell workstations, and approving a contract with Google LLC for an artificial intelligence research platform. Furthermore, contracts were approved for online/print book supply and for hiring a licensed clinical team for the Lehman College Student Health Center. The board also approved personnel matters reports, established new degree programs (Bachelor of Science in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Baroo College; Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Childhood Teaching Education at Lehman College), amended the governance plan of Bronx Community College, and approved numerous faculty tenures and endowed professorships across several colleges. Significant executive appointments were also confirmed, notably the appointment of Alicia Alvaro as Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, effective January 1, 2026, and the appointment of Kenneth Godger as Senior Vice Chancellor of Budget and Finance and Labor Relations and Chief Financial Officer.

The Faculty Senate meeting included reports from the Executive Committee and the Interim Provost. The University Faculty Senate Report highlighted two key resolutions passed: rejecting the proposed "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" and asking for UFS signatory on related public statements. Concerns were raised regarding the mandated Title VI training language and its potential conflict with academic freedom standards, referencing AAUP reports on the weaponization of Title VI enforcement. The Interim Provost's report detailed faculty accomplishments, including high rates of student progress report submissions (leading to a 12% retention increase), textbook adoption compliance, career readiness initiatives, and updates on SEEK enrollment. The committee discussed the continuing dialogue regarding the Core 100 course, confirming that any evaluation will be applied contextually to all General Education courses, not just Core 100. Additionally, degree changes were approved for various departments, including Computer Science, English, Media Culture, and others, alongside the introduction of several new undergraduate and graduate courses.

Key discussions included an update from the Executive Committee regarding HR's role in performance management, the status of faculty and staff searches for the fiscal year, and administrative stances on academic matters. The President reported on the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business achieving AACSB accreditation, an enrollment increase for Spring 2026, and significant financial stabilization resulting in a projected reserve of nearly $2 million. Discussions also covered the CUNY Day of Giving campaign and upcoming professional development workshops. The Professional Staff Congress report addressed upcoming changes to the GHI health insurance plan, workplace hazard discussions, and ongoing union campaigns. The Administration's report detailed the reduction of the structural deficit and CUNY's requirement for a campus stabilization reserve. Student Government reported on numerous successful student engagement events, including a Club Fair and Student Services Fair, and plans for upcoming inclusive events like Halal Fall Feasts. The HEOSC report focused on ECP search processes, HEO participation in strategic planning, and professional development opportunities.