Staff and Administrative Council Minutes December 12, 2019

2 p.m., End Zone, LaPenta Student Union
Minutes

Present: Andrew Albrecht, Casey DelliCarpini, Sam Derosa, Courtney Ferrick, Jason Ford, Jorge Franco, Mary Grant, Helena Jaccino, Michael LaRocca, Anthony LoPresti, Jessica Rosenberg, Reggie Richardson, Michele Sampson-Nelson, Jon Stanko, Peter Tascio, Charlotte Wray

Excused: Brian Beyrer, Jennifer Connolly, Doug Hearle, Bing Morris, Anthony Scaccia, R. Summers, Laurie Wenchell

Vacancy: Currently 2 staff vacancies

The meeting began at 2:07 p.m. Quorum was met with attendance of 16 voting members.

Approval of Minutes

Approval of prior meeting’s minutes with noted correction to Announcements (motion made by Mary Grant, seconded by Andrew Albrecht, Michele Sampson-Nelson abstained).

Announcements

Reported from College Council: Pres Carey spoke regarding 1.5% raise approved by HR&C and Budget committees; general education climate; predictions of closings and mergers, etc. Recently realized good financial standing for Iona University (Forbes & Moodys); student experience is big draw for recruiting/retaining students; discussed honors and retirement program for faculty, thanked everyone for Thanksgiving basket drive, over 150 baskets delivered. New partnership between Iona and New Rochelle BID. Discussed Montefiore RN program; Iona has hired a director of nursing. Clarification from AAUP (American Association of University Professors) regarding lump sum pay vs merit pay.

Reported from Committee on Academic Affairs: Chemistry Department now known as Chemistry & Biochemistry Department.

Reported from Committee on Enrollment Management: Mary Grant and Helene Jaccino are on committee but have not been invited to a meeting yet; reached out to Ivy Stabell; an email had been sent to committee in September that they were waiting for Kevin O’Sullivan to start before they meet.

Reported from Committee on Institutional Advancement: Discussion of alumni chapters, affinity groups; most chapters are located in TX and FL; alumni are looking to raise participation to 10-12%. LaPenta School of Business on track to open in January. $117M of $150M campaign goal raised. Phone campaigns have been outsourced with great success and increase in giving.

Reported from Committee on Student Life: Discussed that meal plan money is not enough, only covers two meals a day, not three. There was a processing issue recently with the cards. There is a program called Gael to Gael where students can donate/receive leftover funds from others. One issue with purchasing food on campus is not knowing what foods sold by weight will cost until they are at register. Students may need education on how best to use their meal plan funds.

Action Item
Request to clarify time requirement for SAC representative to College Council; position still needs to be filled.

Action Item
Add “Pulse of the College” to the agenda going forward. Provides opportunity for committee members to share news they hear that may be of interest/concern.

Meeting adjourned at 3 p.m. The next SAC meeting will be held on February 20, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the LaPenta End Zone.