Update from Farmingdale State College President John Nader, PhD |
March, 2018 |
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March, 2018 New Programs - Thanks to Academic Affairs for continuing to gain approval for new programs that will sustain Farmingdale as a college of choice. Recently two new baccalaureate degrees were approved. Proposals for degrees in Business Analytics and in Nutrition Science were recently approved by the State Education Department. Nexus Center - The formal opening of the Nexus Center for Applied Learning and Career Development attracted a sizeable crowd, including Dr. Grace Wang, SUNY's Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. Several firms that offer internships and jobs to FSC grads were represented. Thanks to the work of the Applied Learning Committee, Farmingdale is correctly viewed as a leader in this field. Tobacco Policy - The College Council has formally adopted the proposed tobacco use policy that was referenced in a previous Update. We will begin a public information campaign this semester and into the summer to provide detailed information to support campus-wide compliance in fall 2018. Student Assembly/Use of Campus for Free Speech – Thanks to Director of Administrative Services, Dorothy Hughes, SUNY Associate Counsel Christine LaPlace and UP Chief Marvin Fischer, we are moving toward adoption of formal policies for Student Rights and Assembly Procedures and the Use of Facilities by Third Parties for Free Speech. Both policies affirm the rights of students or third parties to exercise first amendment rights on campus. In neither policy will the College inquire as to the content of free speech or place any financial burden on individuals or groups exercising these rights on campus property. In the case of the third party policy, the College will designate an exterior space and will not permit amplification. We will also block out certain times at which the campus is particularly busy and limit all space only for College use. We have worked on the language and will be sharing the draft policies with the FEC and the College Council. In light of the number of first amendment/free speech issues that have surfaced across the country, we thought it best to adopt formal policies that fully protect first amendment rights without unduly interfering with the normal business and educational mission of the College. As a public college we must provide space for outside individuals or groups who wish to exercise first amendment rights. In the case of the student rights and assembly, the policy affirms the students' rights of free speech, press, and inquiry without interfering with classes, college services or the normal course of business. FSCNow - The College has launched its own magazine. FSCNow features articles on two faculty members, three alums, students, and much more. The accompanying microsite can be found at fscnow.farmingdale.edu. This site is an attractive online version of the magazine, providing extended content in the form of videos and additional photos accompanying many of the articles. It also provides the ability to download and print out the hard-copy version. Thanks to the many people in Institutional Advancement who did great work on the publication. Freshens - Thanks to the work of ASC and Aramark, a new food purveyor will be coming to the Campus Center in the fall. Freshens Fresh Food Studio is a "fast casual" concept, which offers healthy, prepared to order food with fresh ingredients. Freshens provides a wide range of options that may interest faculty and staff as well as students. Commencement and Open House - A very big thank you to the numerous volunteers who assist with our commencement and open house events. I hope those who have not participated in these events will consider doing so. Here's why: commencement celebrates the achievements of our graduates who invariably appreciate seeing their faculty members and the professional staff join in their celebration. For me, graduation day is a reminder of why so many of us chose careers in higher education. It is the culmination of our success in transforming the lives of our students. Open House is key to our ongoing efforts to raise the profile of the College and is vital to our efforts to maintain and even increase our selectivity. Nothing is more impressive to prospective students than getting a chance to meet our faculty and professionals. International Mother Language Day - The College recently held its first International Mother Language Day event which included music, dance, some history and a reading of the College's mission statement in several languages. Thanks to Nazrul Islam and Chiara De Santi who were the lead organizers of the event. I hope this can continue and grow in the years ahead. Black History Month Celebration - The College co-sponsored an outstanding Black History Month program with Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre. The program included performances, a keynote address from President Calvin O. Butts of SUNY Old Westbury and formal recognition of some remarkable leaders in Long Island's African-American communities. John Nader |
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