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Staff & Administrative Council Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 24, 2020

2 p.m. via Zoom

Present: Alvia, Manny; Beyrer, Brian; Brechtel, Emily; Cooke, Shannon; DelliCarpini, Casey; Derenzis, Lewis; Ferrick, Courtney; Ford, Jason; Grant, Mary; Jaccino, Helena; Johnson, Gary; Katz, Andrew; Procario-Foley, Carl; Rosenberg, Jessica; Sannella, Marissa; Stanko, Jonathan; Tascio, Peter; Wenchell, Laurie

Excused: Barghout, Jennifer; Carruth, Martise; Connolly, Jennifer; Derosa, Sam; Girardi, Angela; Pace, Marie

1. Call to Order

Motion to call meeting to order (Derenzis/Grant). Thank you to all the new and current members for participating in SAC committee. Standing committees still need to be filled, plenty of opportunity to serve. (Committee assignments resulting from this meeting can be found on last page of these minutes.)

2. College Council Standing Committee Updates

  1. College Council.  Discussion regarding announcement of series of data science workshops (can be found at iona.edu/CSI); Amanda Howerton-Fox talked about the online tutoring program which has started back up; Elena Procario-Foley announced Mission & Ministry Cornelia lecture for September 17, Karmara Henry from Theological Seminary will present on what Christian institutions need to learn from Black Lives Matter. President Carey cannot attend College Council meetings due to the class he is teaching, but MaryEllen Callaghan will attend in his stead.  (Classes were already four weeks in when first meeting occurred.)  Discussion of Gaels Taking Care of Gaels initiative, COVID-19 testing program, positive response to program overall, testing occurring in Arrigoni Center now, in addition to random surveillance testing of 250 students per week, with increased testing of student-athletes for compliance with NCAA guidelines. Strategic Innovation Committee has been seated, chief diversity officer will report to president.  Admissions report 750 new freshmen, 90 transfers; increase of 100 from last year.  Shortfall on housing, committee meeting scheduled to discuss. Discussion of new brand and new website.  Provost’s report included that new nursing program had 18 students in first semester (10 more than goal). Michael Jordan’s last day approaching, Michelle Littleton and Imelda Reece will handle his tasks.  Faculty/student survey is out for feedback on experience of hybrid delivery of education.  Fall convocation and ceremonial award update forthcoming.  Update on Hynes Center, state approved undergrad program; center is using semester for design challenge, empathy-building exercises, etc.; idea hackathon is coming up.
  2. Committee on Academic Affairs.  No major announcements.
  3. Committee on Athletics.  Discussion of how Athletics is handling COVID; waiting on direction from NCAA regarding hours for practice, allowance of basketball programs; summer training was eliminated but standard in-season practice can take place at reduced hours.  Students may be on campus for practice even if taking virtual classes since we are following hybrid model.  There was conversation regarding confusion with professors and protocol for students being in class or not; there does not seem to be across-the-board protocol.
  4. Committee on Budget.  Discussion on increase for tuition and fees.  Kevin O’Sullivan reported, need to consider how recruiting is accomplished with SATs and other standardized tests not as common anymore thereby reducing the pool of names.  A vote will occur in two weeks on increase (may be up to 3.5%).  No discussion on room and board.  The building being built on North Avenue may be a problem; its cost will be much higher than room and board at Iona.  Seems to try to be “marketing” it as student housing with plaque and globe erected in front.
  5. Committee on Diversity.  No report.
  6. Committee on Enrollment Management.  First meeting scheduled for October 8.
  7. Committee on Environmental Sustainability.  No report.
  8. Committee on Human Resources & Compensation.  Meetings in August and September.  Darrell Wheeler provided COVID update, noted we are coming into the halfway point of the semester and so far our numbers are good.  Human Resources brought in a new system for employees to manage vacation, sick time etc. online, will be available in early November.  Updates to TIAA with an email coming soon as well as additional information sessions will be provided regarding the updates.  (This will be via Zoom and will be recorded.)  Discussion of policies listed on the website, that the language doesn’t exactly match the intent/language of the policy.  It is being edited for clarity.
  9. Committee on Institutional Advancement.  Introduction of new chair, Casey Dougherty; update on Iona Forever by Paul Sutera; discussion of COVID strategies on campus; discussion of alumni virtual programming and events over the summer and upcoming events (Winged Foot on October 13 and gala in 2021).
  10. Committee on Libraries.  Libraries are open, assistance is available seven days per week by phone or in-person, usage lower due to social distancing.  There has been no printing on campus for students due to COVID but students have expressed an interest in being able to print, so we will test having one printer available with wipes nearby to keep it clean.
  11. Committee on Student Life.  No report.  Open position for SAC representative.

3. Old Business

Brother Bray awards: recipients sent to Executive Council, winners have been selected but not invited to present or share with community just yet.  As we did not have the BBQ, then they should be presented at fall convocation. 
ACTION ITEM: Determine who makes decision for Brother Bray award recipients to be recognized at fall convocation.  Set up Zoom meeting if needed with appropriate parties to coordinate.

4. New Business

  1. Discussion of Spring 2021 semester.  Regarding the email from Human Resources about the spring semester and losing holidays, there was no conversation regarding it with SAC or faculty.  Understood that SFS and IT were informed due to distribution of funds and planning for Blackboard.  SAC members understand why the schedules were altered, but the messaging regarding it was off.  Concerns include lack of consideration for offices that don’t follow a normal schedule, not being able to use vacation days due to time constraints and understaffed offices yet also being told that days could not be carried over.  Would like guidance from Human Resources on how to handle this and would like to see consistency as an institution with how this is handled.

    ACTION ITEM:  Brother Ford could add this to agenda for discussion with President Carey.

  2. Discussion of new dean of students and future hires.  TJ Moretti and Maeve Wydan were unaware of hiring for dean of students; as SGA president, Maeve should have been involved in some capacity. The issue is not with the new dean but rather with the process; while some believed there was a search and that there was a student on the committee, that is not the understanding of it from Student Life. 

    ACTION ITEM: Invite Denise Smith to SAC meeting to discuss hiring process.

  3. Check-in with SAC members. 
    1. Athletics would like to know how visitors to campus are being handled.  They have had guests coming in to watch practice and visit the building.
    2. Idea to work remotely between semesters, however, consensus is it would be difficult to track and likely most offices will be on campus.
    3. Make a Difference week is coming up, traditional events are still happening, and also a hand sanitizer drive with proceeds going to HOPE Community Services.
    4. Week of the Peacemaker begins October 25.
    5. Enrollment and advising is happening now for students.

Motion for meeting to adjourn (Beyrer/Derenzis). Meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m.

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Link to be provided.