Michael Castelli

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.

The Faculty Senate meeting covered various academic and administrative topics. The Interim Provost provided updates regarding academic scheduling, enrollment planning, faculty hiring strategies, and the importance of timely Verification of Enrollment rosters. Discussions also addressed ADA accessibility compliance for course materials and inquiries about privacy in Brightspace and potential Freedom of Information Act requests. The University Faculty Senate report touched on mandatory Title VI training, academic freedom, and university-wide policies regarding classroom recordings. Additionally, the Senate reviewed and approved a consent agenda encompassing degree changes in Engineering and Environmental Science, new graduate courses in Nursing, and updates to existing courses in Mathematics and International Studies. The assembly also received an information item concerning the discontinuance of zero-enrolled programs and reviewed committee reports focusing on faculty service, recruitment, and tenure considerations.

The council discussed various operational and strategic topics. The Executive Committee addressed spring enrollment, the 80/20 remote work policy, recruitment and retention strategies, and commencement speech protocols. The President reported a fiscal surplus, ongoing administrative searches, facilities repairs, and fundraising success. The Professional Staff Congress provided updates on upcoming meetings, immigrant solidarity initiatives, and the reinstatement of adjunct faculty. Administration presented a detailed enrollment update noting growth driven by returning students and graduate programs. Additionally, reports were heard from the Student Government on future events, the HEO Steering Committee regarding professional development, and the Auxiliary Services Corporation regarding infrastructure updates, campus partnerships, and retail vendor services.