Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Minutes
The Academic Senate Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate met on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 12:10 p.m. in Pantry Area, Student Union
Committee Members in Attendance:
Senior Vice President Sherri L. Newcomb; Professor Gail Lewis, Speech Communication and Theatre Arts; Dr. Peter Bales (Chairperson), Social Sciences/History; Dr. Dorith Brodbar, Counseling; Dr. Chukwudi Ikwueze, Social Sciences; Dr. Susan Jacobowitz, English; Dr. Jun Shin, Chemistry; Dr. Amy Traver, Social Sciences; Professor Liz Di Giorgio (Secretary), Art and Design
Business:
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m.
Approval Needed for Minutes. Liz will forward the minutes from November and December’s meeting for Committee members to review in advance of our next meeting.
Change to Bylaws. The Committee refined and unanimously approved its proposed change to Article VII, Section 23 of the Bylaws of the Academic Senate regarding our transition to an advisory function going forward. The proposed change will be sent to Ben Murolo, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, for approval by the Bylaws Committee. It will then go to the Academic Senate for its consideration.
Additional Change to Bylaws. Later in the meeting, the Committee also discussed its current size, asking if we need to have 11 members, given the scope of the Committee’s work. Dr. Bales suggests having 7 faculty, 1 HEA/HEO, and one student appointed by the Queensborough Student Association. The Committee voted unanimously to approve this additional change to the Bylaws regarding the size of our Committee.
Discussion Re a Coordinator. Since our Committee will no longer run the Pantry, it could function as the central clearinghouse, working with a coordinator. A coordinator could keep up the inventory, checking on what was delivered and what was consumed so as to prevent ordering too much of one type of item.
Operation of the Pantry over Breaks. The Administration is currently unable to say what resources will be available in terms of breaks and summers. Dr. Brodbar noted that she and other HEAs/HEOs could be of help in that regard. Dr. Bales said that he would be welcoming of HEAs/HEOs, and that it would be good to have a liaison to the HEAs/HEOs as well. Dr. Bales added that he would be available following his morning class during the summer session. He noted that a coordinator would enable us to make use of all the volunteers who would like to serve in the pantry. More hours of access would require greater efforts to keep the Pantry stocked.
Vice President Newcomb noted that perhaps someone would be able to deliver and unpack food twice per week. She added that the goal should be to have the new arrangement in time for spring semester, although the Administration would not like students to be unaided until then. She urged the Committee to consult with Marketing and Communications to make sure that students know that the arrangement over winter break is temporary. Dr. Traver will consult with Marketing and Communications and will ensure that the Food Pantry website provides this information along with links to food banks. With a limit of two visits per week, we will have to refer students to food banks.
Tailoring Operations to Our Campus. Vice President Newcomb noted that we have to look at what works best for our campus. Student Activities may be the best office for our Committee to work with, although we should coordinate with Single Stop and Counseling to ensure that they are aware of the details of the food pantry operations. Dr. Bales noted that there might be a peak in demand and that having a coordinator could really make things work. He suggested that the Committee should communicate with the person to whom that coordinator reports so that the coordinator would take direction from a single person.
To ensure accountability to funders, the Pantry needs signage stating that the food pantry is intended for students. Vice President Newcomb believes that the current funding levels are somewhat reliable. Dr. Ikwueze raised the question of whether a Food Pantry Club would be possible. Dr. Jacobowitz suggests that it would be better to reach out to existing clubs. The PTK and the campus NYPIRG chapter have been actively involved, bringing in-kind donations.
Keys and Access over Winter Break. Vice President Newcomb advised that it is better not to pass keys around, and that those authorized to provide access will be provided their own key in January. The Committee acknowledged the need to close the pantry for 6 weeks during winter break. Dr. Brodbar will post a notice on the pantry door after her shift this week. Dr. Bales would like to have a grand opening with a ribbon-cutting attended by the Administration, the Courier and possibly other press.
Next Meeting. The Committee scheduled its next meeting for January 24th at 1:00 p.m., following the Convocation of the College. The Committee is tabling the discussion of responsibility for the website until arrangements are made for a coordinator.
Preventing Abuse. The current location of the food pantry within the Student Union poses a risk of students who are not in need having access to the pantry. Vice President Newcomb says that the pantry could be moved to another location within the Student Union. She advised preventing abuse by controlling inventory. Dr. Jacobowitz noted that some ready-to-eat snacks are needed for students with genuine and immediate needs. Vice President Newcomb suggested encouraging student-to-student messaging to prevent abuse. Dr. Jacobowitz noted that there are some campuses where a credit can be put on student ID cards to enable them to use Petrie funds to purchase food at the cafeteria.
Closing Discussion. As Vice President Newcomb had to leave for another meeting at 1:00 p.m., and Professor Gail Lewis had to leave earlier at 12:30 p.m., it is noted that the following discussion occurred among the remaining members:
- The Committee anticipates asking faculty to put the food pantry on their syllabi.
- The Committee considered whether to take part in a coat drive, but decided that it is currently out of our range, and that CUNY EDGE does that.
- Dr. Bales informed the Committee that a documentarian is interested in interviewing students. It is agreed that the documentarian and all press must go through Marketing and Communications.
- It is noted that the Food Pantry will still accept in-kind donations going forward. The related issue of how to best serve faculty and staff remains to be decided.
- Dr. Traver will follow up with signage re pantry policies, privacy for students using the pantry, and a sign to label the collection box adjacent to the pantry door. Dr. Bales will follow up, moving the proposed change to the Bylaws forward.
These minutes were revised upon request of the those in attendance, but due to a lack of a quorum were not approved until late in the spring semester via an email request for approval sent on May 9, 2019.
Respectfully submitted,
Liz Di Giorgio
Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate, Secretary
