Remarks of Chair, Professor Rishi S

Remarks of Chair, Professor Rishi S. Raj Plenary Session, CCNY Faculty Senate March 17, 2011 Room: SH-250

On behalf of the Senate Executive Committee and all of you and the College community I take this opportunity to dedicate this Session of the Faculty Senate in recognition of Women’s History Month. I would like to thank each and every female member of the faculty, administration and staff for their significant contributions to the advancement of our great institution. In the same spirit let us extend our warm welcome to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of CUNY Alexandra Logue and our President Lisa Staiano- Coico for participation in today’s Faculty Senate proceedings.

Since our last session a number of issues of concern to Faculty senate were discussed in committees of the alumni, CUNY Governance Leaders, College Planning and Budget and Senate Executive. I shall briefly provide you with the glimpse of these issues.

In the Alumni College Affairs Committee the following issues were raised: 1. Concerns were expressed of the large number of vacant senior administrations positions at the Provost, Vice President of Finance, and Dean levels (five). 2. Need for a permanent parking garage on campus in view of growing research faculty coming from far away and their late nights working along with there doctoral students. In addition construction of dormitories and other science buildings has depleted significantly the on campus parking. Exceedingly high parking fees were also of concern to faculty and students. This matter of Garage Parking should be included in the CUNY Master Plan. In the past several meetings Alumni have offered to help in this area. 3. Concerns were expressed in maintenance of escalators in NAC (out of service for many weeks) and elevators in many buildings. 4. Elevation of College athletics; having permanent outdoor athletic fields and raising the program from tier III to tier II. 5. African American students steep decline in GSOE and implementation of Task Force Recommendations. 6. Matters relating to access for students who work during the day and the need for evening sessions.

In the meeting of CUNY Governance Leaders, three major issues of concern were discussed: 1. CUNY’s Financial Status and increase in student tuition increases due to state cutbacks. 2. Faculty’s right to curriculum matters such as evolving general education core 3. Ability of faculty’s direct input to BOT prior to acting on academic and other important decisions 4. First time ever there will be dinner meeting between BOT and UF Governance Leaders on March 24.

1 In the College Review Committee two items of major interest for quality enhancement at the College were presented , One by Human Resources Director Sabrina Ellis relating to: Conducting Performance Evaluation and second by Dean Ranalli for evolving a new PH.D program in the School of Architecture.

The Senate Executive Committee believes that Sabrina Ellis’ presentation should be delivered in each division in the presence of chairs and heads of various non-academic sections.

The Senate Executive Committee met on March 10 th and discussed the following issues: 1. There is a need to cut down administrators in the college; observations were made particularly in the Provost Office. 2. The Executive committee believes that BOT’s resolution on February 28, 2011 regarding Pre-Tenure Review by Dean’s need to be revised and is deficient in faculty participation and also timeline yearly reviews. Letter in this connection will be directed to BOT 3. Resolution was passed relating to giving priority for Laboratory Needs in OTPS budget allocations. 4. There is a serious problem in assigning large classes in lecture rooms as well as the lack of appropriate equipment. Provost Mercado has been requested to take care of this issue 5. The Executive Committee approved the proposal to establish “The MAX J. BOND ARCHITECTURE CENTER,” in short BOND CENTER in the Spitzer School of Architecture. In addition to Mr. Bond’s many achievements in the field, he was also Dean of the School of Architecture (1985 – 1992) and a great inspiration to a new generation. He passed away on February 18, 2009 at the age of 73. 6. In Grove School of Engineering relating to concerns of bylaws issues, the Executive Committee believes that this matter is within the purview of the faculty and deans should honor the governance. 7. Finally there is immediate need to fill the vacancy of the director in the office of Academic Standards as appeals are mounting and also the SOA must open its doors to all at least during day time with CCNY I.D.

As per College Governance, by the end of the month, the Senate will set in motion, the conduct of the election for the position of ombudsperson and review process for the evaluation of senior administrators. I also would like to inform you that there is an open vacancy for a Senate position in the UFS due to the resignation of Professor Jablonsky. I would like to assure you that the Senate Executive Committee is fully vigilant on matters relating to the effect of limited resources, strains of adjuncts life style and their effect on teaching impairment, students debt due to tuition increases and the needs of vulnerable faculty and students at this difficult time. We will do all we can to protect their interest and help to pass on the torch of education to new generations to come as we all believe that education is the only way to liberate humanity from ignorance and poverty. 2