February flew by, a function not only of the brevity of the month, but also the breadth and variety of campus activities, from Black History Month events to the opening of new shows at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum and visits by several dignitaries, including two chancellors: Félix V. Matos Rodríguez and Lester Young (of the New York State Board of Regents). |
|
While we continue to be vigilant regarding the pandemic, I’m encouraged by the growth of in-person operations. Visiting with returning faculty and students on campus is a great pleasure, as we continue to observe health and safety protocols. On February 8, when I distributed donuts in Kiely Hall, I chatted with Kasey Lee and Evelyn Lee from the School of Education. They met here and have been married for nine years. Clearly, Queens College changed their lives in multiple ways. |
|
I have been privileged to host a steady stream of campus visitors. James Lentini, president of Molloy College in nearby Rockville Centre, joined us for a campus tour on February 15. Molloy College is one our rivals in the East Coast conference, and President Lentini and I issued challenges to one another for when we next meet on the playing field. |
|
From left: Molloy College President James Lentini, Queens College Athletics Director Rob Twible, Queens College President Frank H. Wu |
|
The next day was especially busy, as CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez, accompanied by CUNY General Counsel and Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs Derek Davis, came to QC to mark the return to in-person arts education across the university. They subsequently visited the Louis Armstrong House Museum’s Civil Rights exhibit. We had a great meeting and tour with my colleague, Baruch College President S. David Wu. |
|
President Frank H. Wu, President S. David Wu |
|
Chancellor Matos, President Frank H. Wu |
|
That afternoon, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Betsy Hendrey and I sat with Regents Chancellor Lester Young and Regent Judith Chin, co-chair of the P-12 Education Committee, who stopped by because the School of Education received Teacher Opportunity Corps II funding. Afterward, Chancellor Young and Regent Chin talked to Interim School of Education Dean Dana Fusco, Interim Associate Dean Trina Yearwood, faculty chairs, faculty, and students. Our guests made it a point to praise Interim Dean Fusco and Interim Associate Dean Yearwood for their leadership during the pandemic. |
|
Queens College administration and faculty meet with Regents Chancellor Lester Young and Regent Judith Chin. |
|
On February 21, I spoke at a Black History Event presented in Albany by New York State Senator James Sanders, who represents the tenth district in Queens. Sanders is a CUNY alumnus—he graduated from Brooklyn College. Together with AVP Jeffrey Rosenstock, we continue to make the rounds with our local legislators in support of additional state budgetary resources for Queens College and CUNY. This past week, we had an important meeting with NYS Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger.
Also last week, I spoke at the ACE/AIEA Internationalization Collaborative, which focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. (ACE stands for the American Council on Education, and AIEA for the Association of International Education Administrators.) International students not only benefit from the education that QC offers; they also enhance the experience of their classmates. Through the college’s growing partnership with Navitas, we expect to welcome more overseas students to our campus.
During a break in the ACE/AIEA session, I enjoyed a photo op with (from left) Robin Helms, assistant vice president for Programs and Global Initiatives at ACE, and Avery Waxman, vice president of Communications, University Partnerships, at Navitas.
|
|
On the evening of Friday, February 26, a delegation from Queens College attended the Flushing Chinese Business Association’s 40th Anniversary Gala at Terrace on the Park. I was asked to say a few words. I hope the Year of the Tiger lives up to its reputation as an auspicious time for business startups and expansions. |
|
QC's contingent at the Chinese Business Association Gala, from left: Stacey A. Romano, Ying Zhou, Sin-Ying Ho, Jeffrey Rosenstock, Frank H. Wu, Elizabeth Hendrey, Ekaterina Pechenkina, Schiro Withanachchi. |
|
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, President Frank H. Wu |
|
President Frank H. Wu, United States Majority Leader Chuck Schumer |
|
Just yesterday, the Chinese American Academic and Professional Society held a press conference on campus. CAAPS, founded in 1975, promotes fellowship and cooperation in scholarly and professional activities. On March 12 at 11 am, I will deliver a lecture co-sponsored by the society and the college on the topic of Asian Americans after COVID 19: From Civil Rights to American Dreams.
|
|
From left: CAAPS Board Member Wenshan Shih, CAAPS President George Chang, CAAPS Advisor and former President Jerry Cheng, QC President Frank H. Wu, CAAPS Board Chair Feng Bao Lin, CAAPS Board Member Philip Chung |
|
I am excited to see our men’s basketball team back in the East Coast Conference Playoffs! The Knights got hot at the right time, winning three of their last four ECC contests to earn their first home playoff game since the 2010-11 season. They will host the first round of the ECC Championship in the Fitzgerald Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 pm versus Roberts Wesleyan College. I hope you will root along with me, either by purchasing tickets to see the game in person (proof of vaccination required) or by watching the live stream of the game. The first 100 Queens College students to register at FitzGerald Gym, Room 204, will receive free entry to Wednesday's game.
|
|
My calendar for this month is already filling up with prominent visitors. I look forward to meeting Vorshilov Enkhbold, the Mongolian ambassador to the United Nations, on March 10. Christine Mangino, president of Queensborough Community College, will be here on March 23.
|
|
March is Women’s History Month. The Women’s and Gender Studies Program, under the guidance of Director JV Fuqua, has once again put together a package of memorable events. The first three weeks of programming will explore "radical care," a topic that encompasses violence and harm reduction in New York City communities as well as reimagining relationships as care communities. The last week will feature a presentation by activist and author Joan Nestle—co-founder of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, QC alumna, and former instructor in the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK program. Look for listings in This Week at QC. |
|
I am looking forward to the next edition in mid-March of Diversity Dialogues from Chief Diversity Officer/ Dean of Diversity Jerima DeWese, which will include updates on our ongoing work on behalf of Delany Hall and the important programs located there, as well as new campus initiatives consistent with the college’s Strategic Plan.
On the subject of personal care, I'd note that the past two years have been stressful for everyone, students in particular. Fortunately, the college’s Counseling Services, which increased its staff late last year, is available to help. The office offers free, confidential sessions to all students with mental health issues. Counseling Services can be contacted at counselingservices@qc.cuny.edu or 718-997-5420, and responds to email and voicemail messages within 24 hours. Appointments are conducted via telehealth.
I also want to put in a strong plug for the Learning Commons, which offers virtual tutoring in many academic areas. Students can book appointments here. Remote “walk-in” tutoring is available over Zoom Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 8 pm, when the college is open. If you have questions, write LCommons@qc.cuny.edu, call 718-997-5670, or stop by Kiely 237 during office hours. For additional information click here.
I wish everyone a productive semester, as we advance towards the spring and hopefully warmer weather. Stay safe and healthy.
PS: For students who received COVID booster shots by January 28, today—March 1—is the deadline for uploading documentation into CUNYfirst. Did you become eligible after January 28? In that case, you must upload proof of receiving a booster within 30 days of the date you became eligible for it. Those who miss the deadline will be unable to register for Summer and Fall 2022 class. For details, click here.
|
|
This mail was sent by an automated process. Do not reply to this mail, which cannot accept replies.
At the bottom of this email, you will see Constant Contact language that offers the option of using "SafeUnsubscribe" to remove yourself from the email list. We strongly advise you not to unsubscribe because QCmailers may contain critical, timely information you need, such as CUNYfirst attendance and grading information for faculty; Human Resources announcements for faculty and staff; and announcements from the Registrar or Bursar for students. This information may not be communicated in any other way but through QCmailers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
