College Council Meeting Minutes: December 19, 2024

Present

  • Mili Makhijani, Chair
  • Dr. Phillip E. Elliott
  • Dr. Nicolette Fiore-Lopez
  • Hon. William A. Hohauser
  • Ms. Cania Infante
  • Ms. Martha Maffei
  • Ms. Natalie Malatino

Call to Order/Welcome

  • Chair Mili Makhijani called the College Council meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Acknowledging that everyone received a copy of the October 11, 2024, College Council meeting minutes. The chair called for a motion to approve the minutes. Dr. Elliott motioned to accept, seconded by Dr. Fiore-Lopez.
  • Acknowledging that everyone received a copy of the November 22, 2024, College Council meeting minutes, the chair called for a motion to approve the minutes. Hon. Hohauser motioned to accept, seconded by Ms. Martha Maffei.

Old Business

  • Student Code of Conduct – Proposed Revisions & Vote
    • Acknowledging that everyone received a copy and reviewed the SUNY Old Westbury Code for Student Conduct 2025-2026. The chair called for a vote to approve the proposed Code for Student Conduct. The Council voted in approval of the 2025-2026 Code for Student Conduct.

New Business

  • Procedures for the Photographing, Recording and Broadcasting of Minutes
    • Chair Makhijani called up Mr. Michael Kinane to discuss the procedures for the Photographing, Recording and Broadcasting of Meetings.
    • M. Kinane began by providing the purpose and scope of the procedures. The purpose and scope of the procedures includes: the people’s right to witness and observe the governmental decision-making process in action is basic to our society. Access to public portions of meetings in public bodies must be protected and maintained. Guidelines to provide direction concerning the procedures by which public meetings of the public body may be photographed, recorded, and broadcast.
    • M. Kinane explained how any meeting of a public body may be photographed, recorded, and broadcast unless it is obtrusive, disruptive, or interferes with the deliberative process or the right of persons in attendance to observe or listen to proceedings.
    • Council member Infante asked how this would impact the executive sessions of the Council. M. Kinane said only the actions of the council need to be recorded.
    • Chair Makhijani read the resolution relating to “Procedures for the Photographing, Recording and Broadcast of Meetings”. Chair Makhijani moved to approve the resolution. Ms. Infante motioned to accept, seconded by Hon. Hohauser. The Council approved the resolution set forth.
  • Procedures for Member Videoconferencing
    • M. Kinane provided an overview of Procedures for Member Videoconferencing.
    • Key points of this discussion include:
      • Council members shall be physically present at any meeting of the Council unless such member is unable to be physically present at one of the designated public meeting locations due to extraordinary circumstances. The term “extraordinary circumstances” includes disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or any other significant or unexpected factor or event that precludes the member’s physical attendance at such meeting.
      • If a member is unable to be physically present at one of the designated meeting locations and wishes to participate by videoconferencing from a private location due to extraordinary circumstances, the member must notify the Chair of the Council no later than four business days before the scheduled meeting for proper notice to the public to be given.
      • If there is a quorum of members participating at a physical location(s) open to the public, the Council may properly convene a meeting. A member that is participating from a remote location that is not open to in-person physical attendance by the public shall not count toward a quorum of the Council but may participate and vote if there is a quorum of members at physical locations(s) open to the public.
      • Chair Makhijani asked for the Council to review the document “Procedures for Member Videoconferencing” and bring any proposed changes and proposals to the next Council meeting on February 14th. At the next meeting, a public hearing date will also be set.
  • Council members – general comments
    • There were no comments from the Council.
  • Faculty Representative
    • Dr. Kyle Anderson was not present to report.
  • Alumni Representative
    • Dr. Lorraine Cochrane informed all that the Alumni Association recently held a meeting where they discussed the reestablishment of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. essay writing contest, increasing scholarship opportunities, and an alumni reunion.
  • Student Representative
    • Ms. Natalie Malatino presented a detailed report on the Student Government Association’s work during the Fall semester. Key points discussed during the report are as follows:
      • Collaboration with Auxiliary Services to continue work with getting the NICE Bus on Campus.
      • Collaboration with various departments for the shuttle service and Food Advisory Committee surveys.
      • Working to increase the student activity fee to $100. Currently, the fee is $87.50.

Open Meeting

  • No comment was heard.
  • Chair Makhijani reviewed the upcoming dates for Spring 2025 and asked for a motion to adjourn. Council member Hon. Hohauser moved the motion to adjourn, and Council 
    member Ms. Natalie Malatino seconded the motion. All voted in favor.