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University Council Minutes, March 8, 2023

March 8, 2023, 3:30 p.m., via Zoom

Present:  D. DeFino, D. Brophy, B. Gaines, A. Howerton-Fox, A. Kelso, E. Mariola, M. Veyvoda, C. Dellicarpini, A. Saccoman, A. Connolly, K. Geslak, T. Mulligan, L. Richardson, J. Stabile, K. Dhanwada, M. Gioiosa, J. Haber, L. Poupis, B. Sanner, M. Callaghan, E. Procario-Foley, N. Kane, M. Newell, C. Winkler

Excused: A. Aggarwal, C. Andruk, M. Bard, S. Carey, J. Carroll, E. Muller, N. Naqvi, M. Volza, C. Winkler

D. DeFino called the meeting to order at 3:35. Quorum was met.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the 2/8/23 University Council meeting were approved via e-mail on 3/1/23

Announcements

E. Procario Foley announced upcoming event: “Pope Francis’s record in interreligious relations Anti-Muslim Bias: Women, Religion, and Politics” A Conversation: Tuesday, March 21 at the 12-noon activity hour, Ryan Library, Romita Auditorium

Information Item: President’s Report (M. Callaghan)

  • President Carey regrets that he is unable to attend today, he is traveling with our advancement team, meeting with current and potential Iona University donors and then he is on to Atlantic City to cheer on the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams in the MAAC Tournament.
  • He asked that the University Council be notified that the projects and initiatives we have been working on throughout the year including those most recently reported to the Council a few weeks ago have been progressing. Our strategic focus remains advancing Iona through Student Success; Academic Excellence and Distinctiveness; and Financial Strength and Sustainability. We continue to work on these areas through Student Recruitment and Retention; Campus Wide Enhancements; Partnerships and Community Engagement and a Focus on Talent.
  • On March 21st during activity hour, President Carey will host a town hall where updates on progress will be provided and community members can address questions to the president and administration.

Information Item: Provost’s Report

  • Honors Task Force held a Town Hall on 2/27 and will review feedback. B. Gaines and A. Rosenfeld are co-chairs
  • Revised Faculty Handbook will be reviewed by RTA and the Faculty Senate

Information Item: Core Curriculum Report

  • Committee has met twice: 2/16 and 3/2
  • Core Town Hall on March 2, via zoom. We presented updates on professional development for the revised Columba Cornerstone, recruitment of Fall 23 learning communities, and 22-23 assessment work. There were 32 participants.
  • CCC coordinated with the Provost’s office around the third professional development session for Cornerstone faculty. It was held on Feb 23. Dr. Alison Munsch led us through a workshop for developing an inclusive classroom and syllabus.
  • Assessment: the Blackboard/Turnitin system of assessment will be opened for uploads shortly after spring break. We are all grateful for the assistance of AJ Lopresti in IT.
  • Fall Columba Cornerstone Learning Communities Schedule has been posted to PS by the registrar and reviewed by the CCC.
  • Committee continues to review syllabi requests.

Information Item: Reports from Constituent Assemblies

Faculty Senate

  • The Senate met on 2/23
  • D. DeFino gave updates on recent meetings with the President (where we discussed improving partnerships between administration and faculty) and the Provost (where we discussed Follett Access)
  • The Senate discussed the upcoming annual Spring survey and Spring elections
  • The Senate seated faculty members to the Valedictorian/Faculty Speaker of the Year Working Group
  • The Senate discussed tasks that lie ahead, including following up on our Workload recommendations and the Faculty Handbook
  • The Senate meets next on 3/30

Staff and Administrative Council

  • Casey Dellicarpini elected Chair

Student Government Association

  • Fraternity and Sorority Updates: New Members – 87 New Members: 25 Fraternity, 62 Sorority
  • Student Leader Alliance Multiculturism: Collaboration DIEB, Black History Month, SLAM GALA
  • Gaels Activity Board (GAB)—On Campus Programming: First Friday Parties, Casino Night, Comedian
  • SGA Projects: Elections: SGA/CGG/SLAM/GAB – Finished before Spring Break, Transition Packet, Expansion of Student Voice, New Umbrella Organizations, Constitution
  • Collaboration of Shared Governance Model: Working with D. DeFino to bridge the gap between the work done by the Faculty Senate and SGA; Streamline the committee work so that it is easier for students who step into these Board positions to be looped into the action items and past discussions; Trying to minimize the work between faculty/SGA
  • Internal Processes: SGA Restrictions, Funding, Enhance the degree of Student Leadership
  • Senior Events / End of the Year Specifics: 75 Nights, New Year—New University, Senior Gift: Donation (Zipper Pulls)
  • Regular Commencement Events: Senior Toast, Baccalaureate Mass, Honors Convocation

Information item: Reports from the Standing Committee

Committee on Rank, Tenure and Awards:  No report

Committee on Academic Affairs

  • CAA approved changes to programs in MSC, MFT, and IACD
  • CAA approved a new minor in Sports Business

Committee on Budget: No report

Committee on Human Resources and Compensation

  • Committee met on 2/17
  • Drug and Alcohol Policy was revisited
  • Committee heard updates on wellness initiatives and the posting of salary and hourly ranges with job listings as required

Committee on Libraries and Information Technology

  • Committee met on 2/27
  • A. DiLello joined the committee as the IT staff person
  • Library hours, trial databases, and data security were discussed
  • Committee voted and approved the proposed Blackboard Course Container Creation , Enrollment dates, and the proposed system maintenance dates

Committee on Institutional Advancement

Committee was given a report by L. Doherty on the following :

  • Discussed ways to continue to market Gaels Giving Day to the campus community schedule for 3/17
  • Over the course of 24 hours, the Advancement Office will send emails, text messages, and use social media channels to encourage support.  The goal is 1,000 contributions
  • There is an updated website for Gaels Giving Day.  Volunteers should email M. Kozak in the Advancement Office

Committee on Student Life

  • Committee met on 2/10
  • As of 2/1 overall enrollment was 102.4% of budget goal for the semester
  • 93.7% of undergraduate student population was retained for Spring 2023
  • Esports is being featured by Yahoo
  • Iona Dance Team competed at UDA College Nationals in January and placed 10th in nation for Hip-Hop category and were a National Qualifier for Division 1 Jazz Category
  • Iona Players attended the regional competition of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.  Iona freshman Alyssa Green was named top performer in Musical Theatre for the region.  Director Kelly Beyrer and Iona Players president Marina Pan both received Merit awards
  • SGA has tweaked its governance structure; Town Hall meetings found great success and will continue; main focus going forward is streamlining communications and changes with student organizations and promoting more on campus programming and engagement.  SGA plans to accelerate the standard of student leadership

Committee on Athletics

  • Men’s and Women’s swimming and diving attended MAAC championship.  Iona won 6 individual gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.  Junior Michael Faughnan will compete in the NCAA championships.  Victoria Novinsky is named rookie of the year.
  • Iona has partnered with Open Doors to navigate Name, Image, Likeness legislation passed by NY state.  The company will assist athletes in areas such as financial literacy and market opportunities.
  • Travis Tellitocci was hired as the new MAAC commissioner and will start at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year

Committee on Diversity: No report

Committee on Enrollment Management

  • Committee met on 3/1
  • K. O’Sullivan gave a detailed report on undergraduate enrollment levels, applications, campus visits, acceptance rates, rate of retention, transfer students, and plans and strategies

Committee on Environmental Sustainability: No report

Discussion Item: General Assembly

D. DeFino reminded the Council that there will be no regular reports and opened the discussion for topics for the assembly.

Old Business: None

New Business:  None

There being no other business, D. DeFino adjourned the University Council meeting at 4:06 p.m. The next meeting of the Council is the General Assembly and will be held on 4/12/23.