Fausto Canela

The Faculty Senate discussed several key issues including an update on the university budget and pending resolutions regarding commencement speeches and classroom recordings. The interim provost provided reports on the valedictorian selection process, upcoming faculty hiring, and undergraduate research initiatives. The Senate passed a resolution objecting to the requirement that student commencement speeches be pre-recorded. Additionally, the Academic Freedom and Academic Technology Committees presented reports covering topics such as FOIL requests, unauthorized classroom recordings, and the development of an artificial intelligence use policy utilizing a traffic light framework. Various course changes and new course proposals across several departments were reviewed and approved.

The Faculty Senate discussed several academic and administrative matters, including updates on university-wide governance, the implementation of a video recording policy, and mandatory Title VI training. The committee reports covered academic freedom, the integration of artificial intelligence in education, and efforts to improve curriculum coordination across different senate committees. The administration provided updates on mid-semester priorities, student success initiatives, faculty support, and upcoming institutional planning for summer and fall terms. Additionally, the senate addressed degree and course changes within the engineering, education, and curriculum departments.

The College Council meeting covered multiple reports and discussion items. Key topics included updates on campus improvement projects and management responsibilities, commencement planning, and the contentious issue of pre-recorded student speeches. The President provided updates on fundraising successes and mandatory compliance training. The Professional Staff Congress reported on labor concerns, including health and safety initiatives and support for higher education advocacy. The Chief Financial Officer presented a financial report highlighting progress in reducing structural deficits and ongoing monitoring of fiscal reserves. Various committee reports, including the Committee on Organization and the HEO Steering Committee, addressed committee vacancies and internal faculty and staff administrative matters. Finally, the Student Government Association outlined initiatives related to public transportation requests, campus event engagement, and student representation.

The meeting featured reports on spring enrollment, mid-year budget projections, and lobbying efforts at the CUNY Trustees Borough hearing. The council discussed snow removal challenges, including campus communication, salt allocation, and the authority to close campuses. Institutional research staff provided an overview of first-year freshman outcomes, demographic trends, and retention rates. Committee reports included updates from the By-Laws Committee, the Administrative Review and Evaluation Committee regarding recruitment and retention, and the HEO Steering Committee. The Student Government reported on recent campus events, future advocacy initiatives, and funding proposals for memorial awards.

The agenda includes reports from the Executive Committee, the President, the Professional Staff Congress, and the Administration. Additionally, various committees of the College Council will present reports, including the Committee on Organization, By-Law Committee, Administrative Review Committee, Institutional Planning Committee, Budget Committee, and Facilities Committee. The agenda also covers reports from the Student Government, HEO Steering Committee, and Auxiliary Services Corporation, followed by sections for Old and New Business.