University Council Minutes, April 2, 2025

3:30 p.m., Romita Auditorium

Present: A. Rosenfeld, D. DeFino, C. Carlson, B. Gaines, M. Higgins, Y. Kang, S. Petrovich, A. Qayyum, O. Murillo, L. Paroski, C. DelliCarpini, S. Carey, T. Mulligan, J. DeMelis, K. Dhanwada, J. Stabile, J. Quintock, C. Winkler, E. Procario-Foley, M. Beckwith, L. Poupis, J. Robinson, N. Sawchuk, I. Stabell, M. Callaghan. K. O’Sullivan

Excused: M. Bard, M. Hughes, L. Roca, R. Richardson, C. Smith, M. Volza

A. Rosenfeld called the meeting to order at 3:33pm. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes for the 1/29/25 meeting of the University Council were approved via e-mail on 2/4/25

Announcements:

• As part of its annual Holocaust Commemoration, Iona will host a screening of “For the Living” in Romita Auditorium at 6:30pm on 4/23

Information Item: President’s Report

• S. Carey yielded his time to the General Assembly discussion

Information Item: Provost’s Report

• T. Mulligan yielded her time to the General Assembly discussion

Information Item: Core Curriculum Committee Report

• CCC met on 2/27, 3/13 and 3/27
• CCC also hosted a meeting on 3/8 for COL 150 faculty to discuss options for a common read (King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was selected)
• SLO Assessment Organizations have been set up on Blackboard; all enrolled faculty and students have been sent announcements via e-mail
• SP25 assessment will utilize 317 sections across 146 courses
• Cornerstone training is being planned for Reading Day (5/6)
• CCC continues to consider new courses, attribute changes, and deactivations coming from departments

Information Item: Reports from Constituent Assemblies

Faculty Senate

• The Senate met on 3/27
• The Senate heard updates from A. Rosenfeld on discussions with T. Mulligan regarding fall course caps, and two new committees proposed by the Senate: one to study the efficacy of shared governance, and the other to respond to current challenges in higher education
• The Senate hosted S. Carey to discuss the current higher education landscape, as well as general faculty perspectives and concerns
• The Senate also hosted SVP of Facilities and Campus Operations, M. Smeriglio, to discuss current and planned projects, and ways faculty might serve as more effective partners to his office

Staff and Administrative Council

• SAC continues to seek nominations from staff and faculty for the Br. Bray Awards

Student Government Association

• SGA Executive Board election results are as follows:
  1. President - Krisna Rivera
  2. Executive Vice President - Sabryna Custodio
  3. Vice President of Finance - Dominic DiMaio
  4. Vice President of Internal Affairs - Debora Diaz
  5. Vice President of Administration - Alexandra Encarnación
  6. Vice President of Communication - Randie Davis

Information Item: Reports from the Standing Committees

Committee on Rank, Tenure and Awards

• RTA met on 3/3, 3/10 and 3/24
• The 3/3 meeting focused on contract renewals
• The 3/10 and 3/24 meetings focused on revisions to the Faculty Handbook

Committee on Academic Affairs

• CAA met on 3/25
• Several POIs were presented resulting from recent efforts by the Registrar and deans to deactivate and remove courses that haven’t been taught in a while

Committee on Budget

• Budget met on 3/12 and 3/26
• The committee reviewed and voted to recommend the 2026 budget proposed by the Finance Committee

Committee on Human Resources and Compensation

• No report

Committee on Libraries and Information Technology

• LIT met on 3/11
• The committee heard updates on library hours, the Library Liaisons list, summer film streaming procedures, and policies for student use of resources with AI functionalities

Committee on Institutional Advancement

• ADV met on 3/18
• Gaels Giving Day raised $325,997 and engaged 658 donors
• The annual Scholarship Gala, set to take place on 4/8, has already raised $1.7 million
• The hiring process continues for a major gift officer and an advancement service officer

Committee on Student Life

• STL met on 3/28
• Housing selection is underway, including Bohm Hall on the Bronxville campus
• The Student Union/Dining Hall remodel is on schedule for a May opening
• The Relay for Life is scheduled for 4/4
• 470 families were welcomed at last week’s Accepted Students Day event

Committee on Athletics

• No report

Committee on Diversity

• No report

Committee on Enrollment Management

• The committee met on 3/27, to form a subcommittee to consider whether it should be restructured, absorbed into another committee, or dissolved

Committee for Environmental Sustainability

• The committee met on 3/25
• The committee discussed the success of the composting project
• The Food Recovery Network reported on its recent success at diverting food waste to local communities in need
• The Deignan Institute and Thomas Berry forum reported on upcoming and recent events
• The committee requested an update on the new proposed green space

Discussion Item: General Assembly

• SVP of Enrollment and Student Life, K. O’Sullivan gave a brief presentation and took questions on Iona’s current enrollment picture, as well as strategies it is employing to address national and regional enrollment trends
• President Carey took questions from members of the community regarding the current higher education landscape

There being no other business, A. Rosenfeld adjourned the University Council meeting at 4:53pm. The next meeting of the Council will be held on 4/30/25.