OAA This Week: Friday Edition

OAA THIS WEEK | June 4, 2021

A news update and community connection for the Office of Academic Affairs of The City University of New York

OAA NEWS

IEVC Lemons begins tenure, lays out OAA priorities

Last Friday, Daniel Lemons began his tenure as interim executive vice chancellor and University provost of The City University of New York. Lemons, formerly the president of Lehman College, took over as IEVC following the departure of José Luis Cruz, who is now serving as president of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. In an email message to OAA staff, IEVC Lemons expressed his commitment to continuity. “You can rest assured that my stewardship of OAA will sustain the same commitment to the core values that have allowed OAA to excel during the COVID-19 pandemic and this new period of recovery,” said IEVC Lemons in his message.

IEVC Lemons also used his incoming message to OAA as an opportunity to foreshadow priorities for his administration, such as maintaining the University’s momentum as it scales and adapts its services for the current times. “We have a rich opportunity to build on the past 15 months of unparalleled adaptation and change, guiding and facilitating the creation of a reinvigorated, innovative University fit for the post-pandemic era,” said IEVC Lemons.

Another key priority for IEVC Lemon's administration will be a holistic OAA effort to tackle the University’s pandemic-induced enrollment decline and “ensure the retention of our current students while working to bolster enrollment to pre-pandemic figures.” He pointed out that students are now more tech-savvy and accustomed to the hybrid model of learning, but that CUNY was in a good place to meet these students’ learning preferences. “CUNY is well-positioned to build on a newly developed digital-learning environment that is still growing and spans all areas of study,” he said.

The IEVC’s incoming message to OAA also mentioned his office’s commitment to communications around the aforementioned matters as well as the reopening of OAA offices for the fall semester.

IEVC Lemons to hold live OAA briefing on June 16

IEVC Daniel Lemons, who assumed the the role last week, will hold a live, virtual briefing for OAA staff, June 16, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. The briefing will update OAA staff on his administration’s priorities and will feature a live Q&A, during which staff may ask the IEVC questions regarding University matters.

_____OAA staff are strongly encouraged to attend this live briefing and Q&A. Those wishing to attend must use this Zoom link at the time of the event, or dial in at 646- 558-8656. RSVP is not required. Staff are advised to add the Zoom link to their Outlook calendars; unlike a Zoom meeting invitation, the link will not upload to calendars automatically. Staff may also submit questions for IEVC Lemon in advance at AcademicAffairs@cuny.edu with the subject line “Questions.”

CUNY commencements celebrate 2021 grads’ resilience

A second year of virtual commencement ceremonies kicked off across CUNY campuses last week featuring an array of prominent business and government leaders, experts, activists, and others, along with well-deserved tributes to the 2021 graduates for their tenacity through the COVID-19 pandemic. Ceremonies continue through June 17. The CUNY website and Campus News posted a schedule and additional details. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was among the numerous elected officials to speak at the ceremonies; others include Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senate Majority Leader (and Lehman college alumna) Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, and New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

_____ “It is fitting that CUNY’s Class of 2021 is graduating just as the City is beginning to emerge from one of the most challenging years in memory,” said Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez in a prepared statement. He was scheduled to address graduates with special messages in most of the virtual celebrations. “These graduates embody the resilience of their communities, but make no mistake: Their imminent entry into the workforce will provide the very heartbeat of the City’s recovery.”

_____Local news site Patch covered last week’s commencements at Brooklyn College, Hunter College, and the School of Professional Studies (SPS). An article titled “CUNY School of Professional Studies Pays Tribute to Courageous and Dedicated Class of 2021” noted that SPS awarded more than 1,100 students degrees this year, the largest graduating class in the school’s history.

_____Founding Dean John Mogulescu, who is retiring from a long and outstanding career at CUNY this year, led a moment of silence to honor the graduating students’ and SPS community’s resilience then applauded the graduates’ achievement. "Our Class of 2021 is truly extraordinary. I can't wait to see what amazing things you will all do next — because I know the same courage, resilience, and resolve that you drew on to help you finish your degree during a pandemic will also ensure your success in your future."

_____Another time-honored CUNY commencement tradition, the conferral of honorary degrees, is also continuing uninterrupted this year. The diverse array of recipients includes prominent authors, scholars, activists, performers, and scholars. The list includes activists Dolores Huerta and Heather McGhee, actor and comedian Chris Rock, musician Ziggy Marley, economist Raj Chetty, and former Congressman José E. Serrano, to name just a few. Additional details on this year’s honorary degree awardees can be found on the CUNY website.

CITY, STATE & NATIONAL NEWS

CUNY scholarship raffle to encourage teen vaccination

The push to promote vaccination amongst teenagers took an unexpected turn with the announcement last week that New York State is raffling off 50 full scholarships, including room and board, to CUNY or SUNY colleges for 12 to 17-year-olds who get the COVID-19 vaccine anytime from now through July 7. On May 12, Gov. Andrew Cuomo accepted the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force’s recommendation to immediately implement expanded use authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.

_____The scholarship raffle was widely reported by local news media including Pix 11, Univision, Fox 5, NY 1, SI Live, and the Daily News. In an article titled “N.Y. to raffle 50 full scholarships to state schools for teens who get vaccinated against COVID,” the Daily News reported the state will administer the random drawing and select 10 winners a week over five weeks for a total of 50 winners in a bid to boost vaccinations among teens.

____ “Vaccination rates across the state are beginning to slow and our greatest need is with young New Yorkers who make up a large percent of positive cases and have the lowest vaccination percentage in the state,” said Governor Cuomo. “To better reach this population and defeat COVID once and for all we need to get creative in our efforts.”

_____While 55 percent of all eligible New Yorkers over 18 are now fully vaccinated, efforts have plateaued and teens are “by far” the lowest vaccinated age group in the state, Cuomo said. Just 8.7 percent of those aged 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated compared with nearly 38 percent of the next age group, 18 to 25.

CUNY experts and students support City’s COVID-19 vaccine push

Scott Ratzan, a lecturer at the CUNY School of Public Health and executive director of CONVINCE USA, an organization promoting vaccine literacy, spoke to Gothamist for an article titled “Vaccine Hesitancy Greatest Hits: How Some Staten Islanders Are Overcoming The Reluctance.” Ratzan cited the policy of not making vaccines available through primary care doctors as an issue for some who have been vaccine-hesitant; he said that needs to change as the city moves toward reaching children and also to potentially offering booster shots.

_____Throughout the pandemic, CUNY colleges and students have played a key role in the City’s vast vaccine-mobilization efforts. QNS.com chronicled the volunteer efforts of Queensborough Community College students in an article titled “Queensborough Community College students help 10K New Yorkers get vaccinated against COVID-19.” Medgar Evers College was one of several state mass vaccination sites participating this week in a vaccine incentive program, a story covered by News 12. Those getting vaccines at Medgar Evers College, the Javitts Center, or one of the eight other state mass vaccination sites were given a $20 lottery scratch-off ticket that may have a grand prize of $5 million.

CUNY experts confront anti-Asian bias and discrimination

Queens College President Frank Wu, who has spoken out extensively during the pandemic about the surge of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans, was featured by NY 1 in a story titled “New Queens College president brings a lifetime of advocating for equality, diversity and Asian Americans to campus.” Wu addressed the causes and impact, including on Queens College students.

_____"In the minds of some people they have a sense of racial guilt by association. Right, so they see someone like this and they instantly think COVID-19,” Wu said. The article noted that a quarter of Queens College's 20,000 students are Asian American, Asian immigrants, or Asian international students. Wu, a son of Taiwanese immigrant parents who recalls experiencing discrimination while growing up in Detroit, said some students at the college are fearful. "At a moment we're all suffering from the pandemic, but they're suffering from another pandemic — the pandemic of racism,” Wu said.

_____Wu also said addressing the violence against Asians today must include people of all backgrounds coming together, similar to what happened with the Black Lives Matter movement. "If we get everyone involved to see that these are American principles, that there are ideals at stake, then we'll make progress,” Wu said.

_____Bruce Lee, professor of Health Policy and Management at the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy (SPH) and a frequent contributor to the media, wrote an opinion piece for Forbes titled “COVID-19 Coronavirus Has Ripped Covers Off The Asian American ‘Model Minority’ Myth.” Lee observed that "being a ‘model’ is not always good,” and that “the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has ripped the covers off of many longstanding problems in society.”

_____He said the term “model minority” may initially sound like a compliment, but it really isn’t. “It’s kind of like telling someone, ‘You clean up nicely’, ‘Wow, you actually came up with a good idea’, or ‘You’re pretty/smart/funny for a cardboard box.’” Ultimately, Lee says, “the model minority myth can be bad for the professional, financial, social, emotional, mental, and physical health of Asian Americans in different many ways,” and can contribute to the surge in violence and discrimination.

_____Lee cited a recent survey by the Pew Research Center that found that around 32 percent of Asian adults indicated that “they have feared someone might threaten or physically attack them,” and about 45 percent of Asian adults say “they have experienced at least one of five specific offensive incidents since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.”

COLLEAGUE CONNECTIONS

In each edition, OAA This Week asks our colleagues about the work their unit is doing in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, and how they’re personally faring in the era of remote work. If you would like to be featured as a Colleague Connection, please contact Duffie Cohen at Duffie.Cohen@cuny.edu.

Helen Foster, Senior Director for Industry and Campus Engagement

What does your role as senior director for Industry and Campus Engagement entail? On January 6, 2020, I pivoted and started my new position at CUNY as director for Industry and Campus Engagement in the Continuing Education and Workforce Programs (CEWP) unit in the office of Academic Affairs. In this position, I worked closely with Angie Kamath [former dean of CEWP who departed CUNY on June 1], and work with Cheryl Baldwin, assistant dean and chief of staff. My unit is responsible for developing and operationalizing a cohesive strategy to significantly expand industry engagement opportunities for CUNY students. The unit works closely with employers and industry partners to create opportunities to further help CUNY students secure paid internships as well as to create additional learning opportunities in specific high-growth employment areas. I spent the first few weeks in the position onboarding, meeting stakeholders, developing relationships with the staff, and learning acronyms. I was never without my CEWP org chart, a binder, a notebook, and an acronym cheat sheet. I was just getting somewhat settled when the pandemic hit. Once again, I pivoted.

What it has been like to start in your position right before OAA began working remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis? In a way of background, 2019 was exceptionally difficult for me. In a 6-month period, I suffered 3 deaths. The most devastating was my father, Rev. Wendell Foster, who died at home surround by his family on September 3at 7:20 am. Although he was 95, he was in good health, so his death was totally unexpected. His death rocked my world. A new job and a new year is what I needed. I needed to pivot yet again as I was learning to navigate my new normal without him.

_____COVID-19 totally threw my work and professional world upside down. Less than a month into my new job, my mother-in-law passes away. And then the big boom — New York down and I get COVID-19.

_____The CEWP unit stepped up to the challenge and in record time conducted work virtually. We were making it work for the students, for the staff, and for our external partners. When it seemed things could not get worse for my family, my husband gets COVID-19 and was sick with it for 57 days. My mother was also hospitalized for 10 days with pneumonia. The family lost three close friends to COVID-19 and of course, work never stopped.

_____The staff worked magic to convert in-person internships into virtual internships while still working on all of the rest of the unit’s work. Then, one of my directors whom I came to rely upon for her knowledge and experience, injured herself and went out on leave a month prior to when she was supposed to go on maternity leave. And so, I pivoted to assist her unit, which now reports directly to me while launching new projects such as upskilling, labor market data reports for the changing economy, and preliminary work on the CEO job council.

What’s your home workspace like? What kind of challenges or disruptions are you dealing with while working from home? The sitting room in my parent’s apartment in our brownstone ended up being my work area. I had to order a table from Amazon because the vintage roll-desk in the office is more for show than for use. My daughter who was in the third grade went virtual. What a challenge that was! Thank God for her village.

_____My sister also moved in with us to become my daughter’s teacher, cook, and comrade. We were all home: my mother, my sister, my husband, my 23-year-old daughter, my 8-year-old daughter, my two dogs, and me. Thank goodness everyone had their own space including the dogs in the house.

_____A year plus into the new normal and I still have not mastered self-care. But every day is a new opportunity for me to figure it out.