My Iona
News
All News
Events
All Events

SAC Meeting Minutes, December 12, 2024

Noon, McGrath Room A&B, LaPenta Student Union

Present: DJ Arndt, Laura Brezovsky, Matt Cardin, Diana Costello, Donna Crisp, Susan DellaCagna, Casey DelliCarpini, Danielle Demorin, Michael Fanelli, Liam Geer, Mary Grant, Helena Jaccino, Robert Lusardi, Joseph Minaya, Leslie Roca, Peter Tascio, Darelle Thomas

Excused: Rodrigo Barrios, Lillian Carr, Sean D’Alfonso, David Kelly, Laurie Wenchell

Absent: Andrew Lacerenza

Guest: Matt Ricker

  • Call To Order
    • 12:10 PM Thursday December 12, 2024 (Attendance – L. Geer)
  • Welcome/Intro:
    • C. DelliCarpini welcomed all in attendance, including Matt Ricker.

University Council Standing Committee Updates:

  • University Council
    • Meeting minutes provided by Leslie Roca (see attached minutes)
  • Committee on Academic Affairs
    • Passed the Healthcare Leadership Innovation Master’s Degree program
    • Next meeting scheduled for January.
  • Committee on Athletics
    • No new updates
  • Committee on Budget
    • See attached meeting minutes.
  • Committee on Diversity
    • Meeting was December 6, focused on new strategies for having events more attended by the Iona Community.
  • Committee on Enrollment Management
    • No meeting, but have established the committee.
  • Committee on Environmental Sustainability
    • Increase to 2 composting stations on campus.
    • Attempting to have the New Rochelle Farmers Market be held on the Iona campus as a new location.
  • Committee on Human Resources & Compensation
    • No meeting since no new topics.
  • Committee on Institutional Advancement
    • Gary Grant (new SVP of Advancement and External Affairs) to decide when the next meeting will take place focusing on events calendar.
  • Committee on Libraries
    • New library visitor’s policy (including no use of the library for personal businesses)
    • Emphasis on AI training events on campus.
    • OneDrive safe sharing of files on campus.
  • Committee on Student Life
    • Same as the University Council minutes (since similar topics).
  • Old Business:
    • The progress on the review of the SAC Constitution started by David Kelly. Committee has been created and planning on a meeting time that works to have a quorum.
    • Brother Bray Committee has the established list of eligible employees and will be moving forward with the request to create the nomination survey.
  • New Business:
    • No new business items for this meeting.
  • Announcements:
    • There is a new Iona Book Club
      • Next meeting is February and currently reading “House of Glass”.
      • Those interested should email DJ Arndt.
    • New Legal Counsel Susan Fiore:
      • Laura Brezovsky mentioned that Susan has replaced Sandy Curko (legal counsel). Ø Contracts/agreements should be emailed to contracts@iona.edu (also cc Laura). Ø Legal guidance questions should be emailed to generalcounsel@iona.edu.
    • Mary Clare Riley has taken on a new role as Chief of Staff:
      • Mary Clare, who joined Iona in 2018, has assumed an expanded role as chief of staff while also serving as senior vice president for University Marketing & Communications. In this new role, Mary Clare will work in tandem with the senior leadership team to ensure that strategic initiatives are meeting established goals and timelines. She will also represent the Office of the President at both internal and external meetings.
    • MaryEllen Callaghan has taken on a new role as SVP for Graduate Admissions:
      • A dedicated member of Iona since 2002, MaryEllen has excelled in building a strong team and developing key relationships to enhance graduate programs in alignment with market demands. As senior vice president, she will continue to focus on driving the success of Graduate Admissions, a critical priority for the University, while also maintaining her role as Board secretary.
    • Michael Smeriglio has taken on a new role as SVP for Facilities & Campus Operations:
      • With a strong background in facilities and construction management, Mike has made significant progress handling campus operations and construction across Iona’s New Rochelle and Bronxville campuses. This includes recent renovations to New Rochelle’s dining hall and academic advising spaces, among many other projects. Prior to joining Iona in 2022, Mike spent 29 years in a senior leadership role at Stamford Hospital, an experience that has benefited operations at the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.
    • SAC Zoom meeting link:
      • Going forward there will be a Zoom link emailed along with the agenda for that meeting.
  • Adjournment:
    • 12:50 PM (L. Geer, seconded by C. DelliCarpini and R. Lusardi)

Please review the above minutes and provide any updates/corrections prior to the next meeting on Thursday January 23, 2025 @ Noon in the McGrath Room A&B – LaPenta Student Union.