Minutes of the
Faculty Senate Plenary
December 20, 2007
Shepard Hall 250
The City College
Present: President Williams, Provost Dagan, VP Butler, VP Edmondson, VP Lloyd, VP Metz,
VP Peralez, VP Santos. Deans: J. Barba, M. Brownlee, M. Gunner, J. Mercado, A. Posamentier,
G. Ranalli, F. Reynolds, S. Roman, B. Silverstein, P. Occhiogrosso; Faculty: J. Birman, M. Chang,
M. Clark, W. Crain, C. B. Fu, E. Friedman, J. Gallagher, D. Greenberger, A. Gupta, M. Gutman,
J. Hamilton, L. Hoffman, S. Jablonsky, R. Kalia, G. Kranc, C. Lascar, D. McLurkin, L. Mendelsohn,
R. Miller, S. Pittson, R. Raj, S. Rings, D. Sank, Y. Shachmurove, S. Simms, G. Thompson, C. Watkins,
G. Wilgus, J. Wilner
Excused: D. Akins, B. Albee, S. Burr, E. Grossman, E. Keller,
Guests: A. Charleus, M. Rogovin, R. Rodriguez, L. Tres, K. Witherspoon
1. The meeting was called to order at 2:14 p.m.
2. The minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting were accepted.
3. Report of the Chair—Professor Raj
· Professor Raj spoke of a new function of teaching, one in which we treat students like a part of the family.
· He spoke of the need for faculty members to consider a broader schedule and making sacrifices to benefit the students.
· He also proposed that we make next year the year of creativity and asked for more flexibility and less micro-management by the administration.
· He reported that the UFS Governance Committee met last week, expressed concern about resources and raising standards without considering other incentives.
· President and Mrs. Williams were honored and presented with gifts.
4. Report of the President—Gregory H. Williams
· President Williams thanked Professor Raj for his leadership and new ideas for College growth.
· He also commended Vice President Butler and her staff for the success of the fundraising campaign, which has raised $230 million.
· The Dominican Studies Institute celebrated its 15th anniversary on December 8th.
· Derrick Bell, Jr. and Reverend Dr. James Forbes inaugurated the Powell Center’s New York Life Colloquium Series at CCNY with a discussion of African American issues.
· General Colin Powell was the keynote speaker at the CCNY Urban Leadership Conference on November 15th.
· Discussed some highlights of the Commission on Higher Education Report (which will be available online soon), including 1) the establishment of a $3 million research fund; 2) a low-cost student loan program; 3) a compact for higher education, 4) continued enrollment growth; 5) the need to hire 2000 full-time faculty; 6) predictable tuition increases; 7) the possibility of differential tuition for campuses; 8) the continuation of the TAP program, and the possibility of TAP for part-time study.
· The President addressed faculty members’ questions about the possibility of differential tuition across campuses and possible partnership opportunities with the nearby Columbia campus.
5. Urban and Government Affairs—Karen Witherspoon
· Discussed Urban Scholars Program, in which 88% of the program’s students from Harlem high schools go on to college after taking courses.
· Homework/tutoring help is provided
· Discussed WHCR programs, such as “Harlem and Health” and a conversation with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
· In addition, Scanster and Adult and Continuing Education are putting together an accredited construction course.
· The ACE job fair was a success.
· Duane Reade will be partnering with the Pharmacy Tech program.
6. Report of Committees
· The Election Committee needs 7 Senators.
· The Community Relations Committee needs 2 Senators.
· There are 2 Executive Committee vacancies on the Senate.
7. Report of the Ombudsperson—Professor Diane Sank
· Professor Sank called for unity among faculty members.
8. New Business
· Professor Kalia (History) thanked faculty for contributing to the Book Fund for students who need textbook money.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherri Rings
Secretary