SAC Meeting Minutes, November 4, 2021

Staff & Administrative Council Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 4, 2021, 12 p.m.

Present: Albrecht, Andrew; Barone, Regina; Brechtel, Emily; Derenzis, Lewis; Dominguez, Leandra; Ford, Jason; Jaccino, Helena; LoPresti, Anthony; Pace, Marie; Palladino, Rick; Rosenberg, Jessica; Saccoman, Ana; Scaccia, Antonio; Tascio, Peter; Wenchell, Laurie

Excused: Alvia, Manuel; Beyrer, Brian; Byrne, Kyle; Carruth, Martise; Davis, Bryan; Qaush, Zeqaj; Sannella, Marissa, Stewart, Mark

Call to Order

November 4, 2021 12:05pm

College Council Standing Committee Updates

College Council
Mary Ellen Callaghan read the report from President Carey who could not be present. Update on the purchase of Concordia- estimate a close date of mid-November. Planning of one office relocation is underway. October Open house was discussed, 360 families were in attendance. A 26% increase from last year. Office of Diversity- Sumita Furlong presented a town hall for Staff and one is being planned for Faculty. All were encouraged to complete the Climate Survey. The provost gave an update regarding the Middle States Review- the committee gave their summary and all was going in a positive direction. The Covid Task Force reported 11 Positive cases of which only 4 were recent. Everyone was asked to be cognitive about wearing masks while indoors! The following concerns were raised during this report: The Climate survey is taking longer than the time estimated and could be difficult for some to some employees to complete because of language and time. Another concern was the anonymity of the survey. Point was raised that while we are encouraged to give honest feedback, we would also like to be given reassurance of no negative effects for providing honest feedback. (Reported by Br. J. Ford)

Academic Affairs
Committee did not meet (Reported by L. Wenchell)

Athletics
Discussion on the difficulty for traveling teams to eat well and manage within their budget. (Reported by L. Wenchell)

Budget
Committee was in favor of a 3.5% tuition increase for Undergraduate which historically has been between 3-3.5%. Student reps were supportive of this. Graduate increase is still under discussion and not yet set. Room and Board is budgeted for a 3% increase based on completion and to keep it affordable. (Reported by L. Derenzis)

Diversity
Committee had not meet. Meeting set for Tuesday November 9th
(Reported by E. Brechtel)

Enrollment Management
Committee did not meet looking at late November (Reported by L.Wenchell)

Environmental Sustainability
No report.

Human Resources and Compensation
Discussion around the wearing of masks in LaPenta and study rooms. Discussed being gentle when it comes to approaching students regarding wearing masks. The following concerns were raised during this report: On Boarding of new hires. No checklist as in the past. Not knowing what steps are needed and where to go. Would like to get clarification and direction to make this a more comprehensive and smoother process. A review of policies- employee handbook should make it searchable. Perhaps hiring an outside company to work on updating the handbook was suggested. Would like to see Update and consistency of language throughout. Question raised if there was considering to offering the Covid booster vaccine on campus. Reiterated the importance that this committee be given information to review a least a week before to review presented material (as stated in the Bi-Laws) and not expect to rush a vote on material just submitted. (Reported by A. Saccoman & M. Pace)

Institutional Advancement
Meet briefly. Paul Sutera left and Pamela Bottge is his acting replacement. Homecoming event was discussed along with the closing of the campaign. Committee is looking for a way to better track the success of the students. (Reported by Br. J. Ford)

Libraries
Committee had not met (reported by J. Rosenberg)

Student Life
Peter Tascio has not been contacted by the committee. Peter is reaching out to TJ Moretti.

Old Business

None

New Business

Future Committee Size - number of SAC members on each. Brother Ford passed out copies of the Faculty Senate proposal to review committee size. Discussions underway between Faculty Senate and SAC. Students have same concerns. Working on getting a voice for Graduate students as there is none currently. We need to have a proper and proportionate representation. Each member was asked to look over the documentation so we can further discuss.
Columbia Parking lot- Leandra shared photos and raised the following concerns: students are parking in lot during the day (when it should only be after 5pm); how small the spots are – some should be labeled for compact cars only; employees should be notified when space will be blocked off; turnover in security not knowing campus well adds to the issues with parking.
Pulse of the College- Discussed concerns about the turnover among employees; The need for cross training; In many situations people feeling the demands to do more and more, raising a concern of spreading ourselves too thin. Also the lack of information sharing between department and teams, seem more are working in Silos and less teamwork. Was suggested to invite Dr. Carey and K. Curnin to our next meeting. Question raised why did not observe Columbus Day as a Holiday most other surrounding campus receiving both Columbus Day and Juneteenth.
Announcements- Men’s Basketball Pre-Gate kickoff 5pm. Peter Tascio advise the group and their teams to stop by Marcom and pick up their Swag! The college will be adding some charging stations for electronic vehicles in the parking garage, as reported by Andy Albrecht.

Meeting adjourned 1:13 (Wenchell/Pace)

Please provide any updates and corrections. If no updates provided in 3 days, these minutes will be considered approved. Next meeting December 2 at 12:00 pm. – End Zone