College Council Meeting Minutes: May 16, 2025

Present

  • Mili Makhijani, Chair
  • Melissa Archbold
  • Nicolette Fiore-Lopez
  • Phillip Elliott
  • Scott Reich 
  • Natalie Malatino

Call to Order/Welcome 

  • Chair Mili Makhijani called the College Council meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025. Acknowledging that everyone received a copy of the February 14, 2025, College Council meeting minutes. The chair called for a motion to approve the minutes. Dr. Fiore-Lopez motioned to accept, seconded by Ms. Natalie Malatino.

President's Report 

  • President Timothy Sams began his President’s Report by discussing adjustments to his future reports. Future Meeting Additions to include the following:
    • Advocacy: Introductions, Higher level interactions with Government leaders, and promote visibility of University and President.
    • Advisory: Advise the President on various issues:
    • Proposed Plans
    • Financial & other resources
    • Management
    • Identify Expertise
    • Problem solving, etc.
      • Chair Makhijani asked President Sams to expand on the advisory of the council addition. President Sams relayed that it is more broadly around the management of the institution. One example he provided was the Campus Shuttle Bus.
  • Strategic Plan is now being worked on by members of the Cabinet. Currently, identifying metrics and will be doing so to the end of our retreat next month. Reminder of the four strategic goals:
    • Academic Excellence, and Research
    • Innovation and Creativity
    • Institutional Resilience & External Profile
    • Student and Enrollment Success
  • Response to Executive Orders
    • President Sams shared that we have lost two NIH grants. With the help of Dr. Kavic, we were able to bring funds together to support these grants. 
      President Sams also relayed that SUNY Old Westbury lost the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) focuses on increasing the number of underrepresented students.
    • Other areas that could be impacted include TRIO, PEL, Medicaid and AmeriCorps.
  • President Sams discussed the passing of the state budget. We received the funding to meet the collective bargaining obligations for the next cycle. Major increases for our hospitals both downstate and upstate. The approved budget also saw a significant amount of funding for capital improvements.
  • The ACE Program supports approximately 150 students, SUNY Old Westbury is a recipient of the program to be launched in Fall 2025.
  • DEI and Safety: Our Campus has been fortunate to not have our students targeted. Continue to show support for our students.
  • NCAA Update: Ongoing investigation surrounding a potential violation within our Women’s Basketball program. We continue to support those that we’re impacted by it.
  • Upcoming Dates:
    • Commencement – May 21, 2025: Nassau Coliseum
    • Charter Day – June 10th
    • Founder’s Day – Fall 2025
    • 60th Anniversary (FY’25-’26)

New Business 

  • Procedures for Member Videoconferencing – Public Hearing
    • Chair Makhijani opened the public hearing.
    • No public comment was heard.
    • Acknowledging that everyone received a draft copy of the Procedures for Member Videoconferencing the Council Members agreed to the following changes:
      • Authorized Resolution Date: May 26, 2025 to May 16, 2025
      • Paragraph #3: Addition of any such reasonable notice to the chair
      • The Chair called for a motion to approve the procedures for member videoconferencing. Dr. Elliott motioned to accept, seconded by Ms. Melissa Archbold. All members voted in favor.  
      • Chair Makhijani closed the public hearing
  • Student Code of Conduct Update
    • Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Jo-Ann Robinson shared that we are currently reviewing comments from SUNY Legal and that there will be conversation with Counsel Mairead Jones-Kennelly when she visits Campus on Monday, May 19, 2025.
      • Chair Makhijani said that we will work on a special meeting date to vote on the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Faculty Representative
    • Dr. Stephanie Schneider presented a detailed report, key points discussed during the report are as follows:
      • Faculty By Laws:
        • Faculty Bylaws have been voted on and are currently being counted.
        • Approval of twelve new programs through Faculty Senate.
        • Focusing on work readiness for next year.
  • Alumni Representative
    • Dr. Lorraine Cochrane was not present to report.
  • Student Representative
    • Ms. Natalie Malatino, SGA president, relayed that the SGA finalized its budget proposal for the 2025 -2026 Academic Year.
    • The SGA will work on a proposal for capital projects for the Student Union.
    • Ms. Malatino shared that the incoming President of the Student Government Association will be Jason Sandoval.
    • Dr. Sams thanked Ms. Malatino for all her work with the Student Government Association.

Open Session

  • No comments were heard.
  • Chair Makhijani reviewed the upcoming dates for Spring 2025 and asked for a motion to adjourn. Council member Mr. Scott Reich moved the motion to adjourn, and Council member Dr. Fiore-Lopez seconded the motion. All voted in favor.