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Support for Ukraine- Thanks to those on campus who have expressed support for the people of Ukraine and
worked to build an understanding of Ukrainian history and the current crisis there.
A number of campus organizations have joined efforts to promote a talk entitled Ukraine and Russia on Diverging Paths Since 1991. This discussion on Ukrainian-Russian diverging relationships will be delivered by
Italian scholar, Andrea Graziosi, on Thursday, April 21 at 10 AM in the Campus Center
Ballroom or via Microsoft Teams.
Faculty Meetings- Provost Laura Joseph and I recently held three meetings with faculty from various
departments. Some areas of concern and suggestions surfaced. I’m happy to report that
we have been able to act on a number of them. Regarding IT, for example, work in classrooms
will be completed this summer and outdated desktop computers will be refreshed and
updated to Windows 10 by the end of the year. We are also working to improve the process
for approving software acquisitions and speeding up their deployment. Delays have
been due, in part, to our security protection and risk review efforts. The recent
addition of a new cyber security position (an FSC graduate) will help. If necessary,
IT will reach out to discuss specific programming needs and facilitate purchases in
coordination with the Academic Tech Advisory Board Committee.
We also learned of a few cases of inappropriate student conduct. There have been incidents
in which students exhibit a lack of respect and inappropriate behavior toward staff
or faculty. We have addressed this within the Cabinet and with the Dean of Students
office. As a reminder, if and when incidents occur, please report them. In the academic
areas, please inform department chairs and, if warranted, contact the Dean of Students
office so that the matter can be documented and addressed.
A number of questions were raised about construction projects and building issues.
Given that we are scheduled for $250M in projects over the next few years, it’s important
for the campus to understand how hazardous materials are handled. The College, design
professionals and contractors working with the College and the State University Construction
Fund strictly follow all rules, regulations and requirements for the safe handling
of hazardous materials that are removed during renovation projects.
A good suggestion was made about using text messaging to remind students about registration
dates and deadlines. It seems that communications via email are often not read. Academics,
IT and Admissions will work on this. It seems to be a more effective and widely read
mechanism of communication with students.
WID Event- Thanks to Drs. Chris Iverson and Laurie Rozakis for organizing a Writing in the
Disciplines program that included remarks by faculty, students and Dean Charles Adair
about the significance of writing and their own work as writers. The five brief presentations
were followed by some lively Q&A about writing and the writing process. The work of
the WID Committee has resulted in a book, Processes, to be published by SUNY Geneseo.
Suffolk County Sheriff and the Nexus Center- The Nexus Center has secured numerous internship opportunities with the Suffolk
County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). The relationship is multidisciplinary. This semester
26 students from the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business and Engineering Technology
are working with SCSO. Rena Varghese is using funding available through the Hagedorn
Foundation to help some students who might otherwise not be able to complete an unpaid
internship opportunity. $23,000 has been budgeted to fund students (administered through
the SUNY Research Foundation and college the Foundation Fund). Students working in
faculty supervised applied learning placements include:
- Criminal Justice Department interns (8)
- Security Systems student intern (1)
- All (17) of Professor Theresa Locklear’s Business Analytics senior capstone course
students are working on analyzing data for the Sheriff's Transition and Reentry Team
(S.T.A.R.T.) Resource Center. The START Resource Center provides social services with
the hope of reducing recidivism.
Last but not least, best wishes for a Happy Easter, Happy Passover and a peaceful
Ramadan.
John Nader
President
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