November 9, 2022

Minutes

The Academic Senate Committee on Committee on the Environment, Quality of Life, and Disability Issues met on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 via Zoom


Committee Members in Attendance:

Dorith Brodbar, Noelia Diaz, Kelly Ford, Crystal Moscat, Tanya Zhelezcheva, Janet Franzese

 


Liaisons in Attendance:

Angela Dotterman-Ridinger, John Triolo, Anthony Monahan, Clara Wajngurt, Joe Cartolano, William Faulkner


Business:

The meeting was called to order at 12:15 PM

  1. Approval of Minutes for Wednesday, April 27, 2022 meeting
  • The minutes were approved.
  1. Updates:
  • William Faulkner provided the following update via phone.

Childcare Center: William Faulkner updated the committee on the status of the childcare facility center project. The architect has been contacted. The location space has been allocated. The fund of $1.3 million allocated will not suffice to complete the project. The hope is that funding can be in part diverted from other CUNY sources. Dr Faulkner is to meet with the CUNY chief financial officer to discuss  proceeding with the first steps of the project and approving the budget for the project.   

Humanities: William Faulkner updated the committee on the status of the elevator project. The maintenance company is taking care of day-to-day problems and the new elevator operational but not approved by the city. We are waiting for the elevator inspection; Miss Diaz was concerned that one of the old elevators is still not working. 

  1. John Triolo: Campus Security CLEAR report
  • Triolo presented that the Annual Security Report has been published for 2021 and no crimes were reported.
  • Triolo stated that if students do not feel comfortable reporting any criminal activities to security they can report it anonymously to appointed personnel.
  • It has been noted that in the nursing department several laptops have gone missing. Mr. Triolo reported that these incidents were filled and suggested that the IT department has locking devices to secure the mobile laptops to the desks.
  1. Clara Wajngurt: PSC Health & Safety
  • Reported concerns regarding the elevators in the Humanities building and no wheelchair access
  • Suggested that some in PSC believe that government officials need to be contacted to speedup the process. Mr Faulkner does not believe that contacting government officials would help but rather that there is a need to be a push for the building department to get involved
  • In Y-building no hot water. It is assumed that the problem has been resolved
  • Science Building Physics department heating temperature too high in 80 F. Mr Faulkner suggested that the HVAC unit be replaced and this has been reported to the vice-chancelor
  • Concerns regarding smoking and vaping in the students bathroom on the fourth floor in science building. Signage is needed. Mr Faulkner stated that public safety is working on that
  • Room S-414 science building water leak from ceiling
  • Room LB-8 inaccessible and Mr Cartolano stated that IT department needs to be contacted
  • Miss Diaz brought up that signage for students visually impaired was needed. Mr Cartolano stated that administration has approved and the work is in progress
  • Miss Diaz stated that the Humanities building needs insect screens to protect against mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Mr Faulkner stated that this would be a large project. Mr. Cartolano and Mr Faulkner discussed the use of ENVELOP projects that may cover the funds for windows energy savings that the screens for the windows can be included as well.
  1. Angela Dotterman-Ridinger: Accessibility Committee
  •  Ms. Angela Dotterman-Ridinger was to attend an Accessibility Committee meeting  at the end of the month and will report back afterwards
  1. EQLD Guide Addendum
  • Tanya Zhelezcheva cochair discussed the creation of two groups within the committee to work on a portion of the EQLD guide draft that was started by the previous cochair of this committee.

 7. Other Business 

  • Committee members expressed concerns
  • Kelly Ford expressed concerns about the committee charges and the effectiveness of the outcomes
  • Dorith Brodbar expressed concerns regarding building accessibility for staff and students with disabilities
  • William Faulkner responded that in some instances classes were moved to the ground floor

 


Respectfully submitted,

Changiz Alizadeh
Committee on Committee on the Environment, Quality of Life, and Disability Issues, Secretary

Minutes typed on February 28, 2022

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