Remarks of Chair, Professor Rishi S. Raj
Plenary Session, CCNY Faculty Senate Meeting
Meeting, December 15, 2011, 2 PM, SH-250
I am pleased to welcome you to the last Plenary Session of the Faculty Senate for the
year 2011. It is time to thank everyone; faculty staff, administration for making this
semester a success through your hard work. A lot has happened and the College has been
moving forward in all the areas. It is time to celebrate for the accomplishments we all
have achieved as a team.
New Year’s is just a few days away and there is so much hope and aspirations to look for.
In between we have enough time for self examination, define our virtues and affirm our
future ideas.
In the ever changing environment there is always a provision for change to meet the
future needs to grow, enhance quality and build fabric of creativity. The Senate
Executive Committee in its meetings is very conscious of its responsibility in mapping
the effects the changes may have to all the constituents of the College. In this connection
both of our governance bodies put their heart and soul in the issue of Pathways and
reached to a reasonable solution as far as academic matters are concerned. Although
flexibility is central to shared governance there has been some deviation from it at CUNY
level. Nonetheless the governance bodies made it clear through our resolutions that we
would not like our College besieged by non-academics on College curriculum matters to
preserve the quality of education. University is not a business and what we do for our
students are not commodities. Teaching, creativity, discoveries are engines of innovations
for economic and social quality and growth of a society and nation and, therefore,
academic excellence and freedom etc. cannot be compromised.
We are very fortunate and I am proud to say that at City our faculty carries this spirit and
values.
On matters relating to students concern for tuition increases, the faculty indeed is
sympathetic to their cause. Although the increase in amounts looks little to those who
have it, but to some who have nothing these increases may be a path changers. Our
President is doing her best to not let that happen to our students in need and we are
fortunate to have such a conscientious leader of our institution.
Beyond these issues which really occupied us a lot the Senate Executive committee has
approved the nominations for the honorary degree candidates for 2012 graduation,
Changes to Article XI of the College Governance on ombudsperson which will be
presented to you shortly for your approval, a new Masters Program on Earth Systems and
Environmental Engineering. It also looked into e-permit for courses, absence of Sallie
Mae representative on campus causing difficulties for student’s tuition payment.
The Executive Committee also discussed issues relating to changes in governance
regarding promotion similar to changes you approved for tenure cases, Distinguished
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Professor nomination procedures, on line/Hybrid Course evaluation, and service
inclusion for young faculty load evaluations.
The Committee also believes that strengthening the Asian Study Program will bring
added value and richness to the College and we should invite entrepreneurs to our
College. Although at our College are very broad minded and believe in free speech, it
has been felt that a vote on contentious matters should be by secret ballot to protect the
young faculty’s participation in the Senate and our ombudsperson is looking into this
matter further.
The College will also be making every effort to enhance evening offerings and also will
initiate attracting top ranking foreign students to our campus. I am very pleased to note
that President Coico has taken steps to enhance course offerings in view of over crowding
and students timely graduation in the spring semester.
Finally I want to quote from Chinese philosopher Tao most appropriate for this occasion
of festivity;
“Flexibility is companion in life,
All new born, living and thriving life is gentle and soft,
Filled with compassion, tender and green.
The stiffness, hardness, dryness and arrogance
Bunker of mentality are only companions in death.
Let the Systems evolve naturally.
No storm can last forever as there is time for everything.”
This philosophy may help us towards our attitude to each other, to our students and to all
at our campus for strengthening our institution’s foundations, the Flagship of CUNY.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Holidays and my best
wishes for a Happy, Healthy and a Prosperous New Year.
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