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College Council Minutes, November 10, 2021

Minutes
College Council
Wednesday, 11/10/21, 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Present:  T. Moretti, D. DeFino, M. Bard, A. Howerton-Fox, M. Hughes, T. Kelso, E. Mariola, A. Rosenfeld, K. Geslak, C. Normil, J. Ford, A. Saccoman, D. Wheeler, L. Richardson, J. Stabile, T. Delgado, J. Haber, O. Huk, M. Malenbaum, N. Naqvi, M. Newell, I. Stabell, R. Weaver, S. Furlong, E. Procario-Foley, C. Winkler, M. Callaghan, D. Costello, M. Reilley, P. Tascio, A. Schettini-Lynch
Excused: A. Aggarwal, J. Gerometta, T. Lyle, A. Stackhouse

T. Moretti called the meeting to order at 3:33. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the 10/13/21 College Council meeting were approved via e-mail on 11/5/21

Announcements:

  • The 2021 Kristallnacht Commemoration presentation, “Holocaust Memory and Racial Healing,” will take place via Zoom on 11/14 at 1:30pm
  • N. Cosby will discuss her Fulbright Flex Scholarship on Academic Mission Trips hosted by the University of Zambia on 11/18 at noon, as part of the Dean’s Symposium series

Information Item: President’s Report

  • M. Callaghan presented S. Carey’s report
  • The Bronxville Campus transaction was approved by the court on 11/5; closing on the property is on track for December
  • Planning for the flagship NYPIC School of Health Sciences (SHS) Building, and for the utilization of the Bronxville campus is underway
  • The SHS Working Group is expected to complete a draft strategic planning document in a few weeks
  • The search for the Founding Dean of SHS is in the recruitment phase
  • The College is currently working on a plan to address the recommendations of the Middle States Reaccreditation Team following its site visit
  • On 11/13 Iona College Trustee Emeritus Joseph M. Murphy ’59, ’83H and very close family and friends will join in celebrating the dedication of the JoAnn Mazzella Murphy ‘98H Arts Center at Iona College 
  • The renovation of the space at the center of campus for the Murphy Green is also moving along nicely
  • On 11/09 both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won their season opener

Information Item: Provost’s Report

  • The Middle States Reaccreditation Team report was generally very positive; the College has one week to respond to the report, after which it moves on the Middle States Commissioner; an accreditation decision is expected within the year
  • COVID case numbers remain low, but mask policy compliance issues persist; we are working with Student Life, Campus Safety, and MarCom on messaging and reinforcement
  • SHS currently comprises six existing programs, with more in development
  • Faculty are urged to reach out to struggling students, and to use IC 360 to connect them with Student Success resources
  • Five-year review submission deadlines have been extended to 3/22/22, due to late dissemination of dates
  • Members of the College community are urged to complete the forthcoming Core survey

Information Item: Core Curriculum Committee Report

  • CCC met three times since the last Council meeting.  In that time, it has:
    • Launched the new core Signature Assignment assessment protocol
    • Begun recruiting faculty for Fall 2022 COL 150 and Learning Communities
    • Begun the five-year Core review, which will include a 11/12 noon Town Hall and an online survey

Information Item: Reports from Constituent Assemblies

Faculty Senate

  • The Senate met on 11/4
  • Y. Kang was invited to discuss the impact and value of faculty service in college-wide committees
  • T. Moretti provided a recap of the MSCHE site team visit
  • The Senate reviewed Fall Faculty Survey questions
  • The Senate reviewed and approved proposed revisions to the college’s adjunct promotion language
  • The Senate discussed revisions to a proposal to request that the Trustees and Governance Committee on the Board of Trustees add a faculty member as an ex officio member
  • The Senate discussed current protocols regarding in-person class and class cancellation

Staff and Administrative Council

  • SAC met on 11/4
  • SAC discussed recommendations for the function of College Council, and faculty representation on governance committees, proposed by Faculty Senate

Student Government Association

  • SGA meets weekly
  • On 10/14, the SGA Legislative Body held its first Committee Breakouts; and C. Hill was invited to discuss the Senior Class Gift and to gauge Seniors in SGA on joining the Senior Class Gift Committee
  • SGA approved the Pre-Law Society and the MMA Club
  • The Legislative Body added an At-Large Senator for A&S and an At-Large Senator for Commuters
  • Deputy Athletic Director T. Moran was invited to discuss the Gael Gate and ways SGA can help to promote more potential events on campus as well as encouraging students to attend games

Information item: Reports from the Standing Committees

Committee on Rank, Tenure and Awards

  • No report

Committee on Academic Affairs

  • No report

Committee on Budget

  • Budget met twice since the last Council meeting
  • On 10/27, the committee:
    • voted to recommend a 3.5% increase in UG tuition/fees, and a 3% increase in room/board
    • heard from the Assistant Dean of LSB, K. Brunck regarding comparative graduate tuition pricing for local and competitive schools and historical Iona College tuition pricing for graduate business programs
  • On 11/3, the committee:
    • heard from the Director of A&S Graduate Studies, K. Zaromatidis regarding comparative graduate tuition pricing for local and competitive schools and historical Iona College tuition pricing for graduate A&S programs
    • discussed the Accelerated second-degree Nursing program cost for 2022/2023 (a recommendation was made to decrease the Nursing scholarship and implement a higher Academic Excellence scholarship and a higher alum scholarship)
    • requested a summary of all graduate program (A&S and LSB) recommendations to be reviewed and discussed at the next meeting

Committee on Human Resources and Compensation

  • HR&C met on twice since the last Council meeting
  • On 10/22, the committee:
    • discussed what to do about members of the Iona community who do not comply with the mask mandate, and what was being done to make interior spaces safer
    • queried why the HERO act was not distributed to all employees
    • reviewed the following policies: Blood Donation Leave, Bone Marrow Donation Leave, Drug and Alcohol Policy, Leave for Military Spouse, Military Leave, and Smoking Policy
  • On 11/5, the committee:
    • Reviewed and made recommendations regarding the following policies: 529 College Saving Program, Bereavement Leave, Bookstore, Employment Classifications, Family Allowance, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Food Services Discount and Meal Plan, Overtime, Performance Appraisals Compensation Adjustments, Work Schedule

Committee on Libraries and Information Technology

  • LIT met on 11/8
  • The committee was updated on storm repairs to Ryan Library
  • The committee began plans for creating a Technology Master Plan

Committee on Institutional Advancement

  • Advancement met on 10/19
  • The committee reviewed fall alumni events, including the mentoring program, the football reunion, Homecoming, Breakfast with Santa, basketball games, the completion of the Iona Forever Campaign, and student-centered fundraising initiatives
  • The committee discussed more targeted approaches for engaging faculty in alumni recruitment

Committee on Student Life

  • Student Life met on 10/29
  • The committee reviewed student satisfaction surveys and noted general contentment and a strong preference for in-person learning
  • The committee discussed several events that took place as part of the First 50 Days initiative, including Class of 2020 in-person recognition ceremony
  • SGA continues to draft changes to its Constitution, and expects to bring them through the legislative process in the spring term

Committee on Athletics

  • Athletics met on 11/2
  • Coaches are reviewing midterm reports with student athletes
  • Men’s Cross Country won its 31st consecutive MAAC Championship, and Women’s Cross Country won its 6th in a row
  • Student athletes completed their annual “Liftoween” in support of Gullotta House
  • Scheduling conflicts between Nursing class meetings and practice times were discussed

Committee on Diversity

  • No report

Committee on Enrollment Management

  • No report

Committee for Environmental Sustainability

  • CoES met on 10/28
  • A. Longobardo of Chartwells was invited to discuss concerns about single-use plastics, food waste/composting initiatives, and partnerships with vendors to source more sustainable products
  • The committee had further discussion around energy-saving competitions in the dorms, signage for recycling, and filtration for water stations
  • Three Level 1 EV charging stations have been installed in the parking garage; a proposal is being developed for the installation of Level 2 stations

Information Item: Old Business

The Land Acknowledgement Statement proposal approved at the last Council meeting has been received by S. Carey, who will review it upon returning from his travels

There being no other business, T. Moretti adjourned the College Council meeting at 4:11pm. The next meeting of the Council will be held on 12/8.