OAA This Week: Thursday Edition

OAA THIS WEEK | July 16, 2020

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

OAA NEWS

Chancellor comments further on fall semester

In a July 10 email to the CUNY community, Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez addressed the University’s plans for the fall semester and the impact COVID-19 has had on the school. “I know the last four months have been challenging, unsettling and heartbreaking in so many ways. I wish I could know what the future will bring, and say with clarity what the upcoming months will look like,” stated the Chancellor’s message.

----- The Chancellor’s message reported that CUNY Board of Trustees had approved a resolution that gives the University the most flexibility in making decisions and planning the fall semester once New York City enters Phase 4 , which entails the reopening of schools and colleges.

----- In the message, the Chancellor also reiterated the creation of CUNY’s COVID-19 victim memorial site, “ In Memoriam ,” and invited the community to leave sympathy messages commemorate the deceased.

EVC contextualizes reopening decisions

On the heels of the Chancellor’s July 10 reopening message, Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost José Luis Cruz , in his periodic continuity update , stated that the University’s highest priority in determining the balance between in-person and remote learning and working in Fall 2020 is to “protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while creating the conditions for our students to make progress in their academic programs, for our faculty to advance their creative and scholarly activities, and our staff to meet the University’s myriad programmatic goals.”

Free yoga and meditation offered to OAA, CUNY community

The wellness website The 10 Minute Mind continues to offer virtual yoga and meditation classes to CUNY students, faculty, and staff. However, the previous link to the classes has been replaced by this link .

CITY NEWS

New Yorkers hesitant to resume normal activities, latest SPH survey finds

As they witness the surge in COVID-19 cases in states that re-opened early, New Yorkers have grown significantly more hesitant about resuming normal activities than they reported in May, a finding of the latest survey by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH). New Yorkers also continue to report much higher than normal rates of depression and anxiety, and employment and housing remain a serious concern for many, according to the school’s latest city and statewide tracking survey, conducted June 26-28.

----- In the first week of May, 65 percent of New Yorkers surveyed said they would see their doctor for a routine visit by June 1. But when asked in late June if they would visit their doctor by July 1, that number dropped to 33 percent. In early May, 46 percent said they would go for a haircut starting June 1, but by the end of June, only 33 percent said they would do so as of July 1. The number who thought they would go to a restaurant after the first of the following month dropped from 31 percent to 20 percent.

---- A far greater number of respondents now say they plan to wait for a safe and effective vaccine to be widely available before they take part in many routine activities. Less than a third of respondents believe that public schools (27 percent) and colleges and universities (31 percent) should reopen for regular classes in the fall. A majority (54 percent) do not think the pandemic will end until a vaccine is created. “People follow the news,” said Dr. Ayman El-Mohandes , dean of CUNY SPH. He added that “COVID-19 is under better control in New York now, but people see that it is devastating other cities, states and countries, and they do not want to let their guard down.”

Media Roundup: CUNY experts weigh in on v isas, COVID-19, distance learning

The firestorm over the now withdrawn federal directive targeting international students placed CUNY and Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez squarely in the middle. The Chancellor’s response to the “misguided” federal directive targeting international students was widely reported. Gotham Gazette reported on plans to help CUNY’s 9,000 international students continue their studies through offering a range of teaching scenarios that combine in-person, virtual and hybrid instructional modalities. A Gothamist article about State Attorney General Letitia James ’s lawsuit against the Trump administration also highlighted CUNY’s response. “We will leave no stone unturned to make sure our international students are able to stay and continue their studies at CUNY,” said the Chancellor.

----- The Queens Daily Eagle featured other CUNY voices responding to the threat. Queens College president Frank Wu wrote an op-ed titled " International students are welcome at Queens College ” and in an interview with PRI’s The World , warned the restrictions would harm not only the country’s million international students but would also hurt the U.S. “America risks losing its competitive advantage,” he said. College of Staten Island international student Nicole Agu , who serves as vice chair for international student affairs of the University Student Senate, was interviewed by WNYC in a broadcast titled " The Stakes of Remote College for International Students .”

----- In other CUNY news, SPS Founding Dean John Mogulescu, in Campus News , described the training of more than 1,500 faculty on instructional best practices for online teaching and learning through 3-week summer workshops.

----- CUNY experts continue to weigh in on the unequal impact of COVID-19 on the City’s low income and minority communities. In the Chicago Tribune and elsewhere, Denis Nash , an epidemiology professor at the SPH, considered the implications of the finding that more than 68 percent of people tested positive for antibodies to the coronavirus in a low-income neighborhood in Corona, Queens, a much higher rate than that of more affluent, less racially diverse neighborhoods.

City Arts Feature: theater fundraisers and classic NYC movies

Contemporary theater

On demand until Tuesday, August 4 at 11:59 p.m.

The Public Theater presents a new docu-drama, “The Line,” which illuminates the experiences of medical, first line responders battling COVID-19 in NYC. In the spring of this year, the playwrights, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen , conducted anonymous interviews with COVID first responders and created this award-winning, documentary style play. Available on-demand for free until Tuesday, August 4 at 11:59 p.m. on The Public Theater YouTube Channel .

Now – Sunday, July 19

The Homebound Project: Theater for the Front Line , is a new, independent, virtual theater initiative, whose mission is to raise funds for No Kid Hungry, a national organization active in pandemic relief efforts. This performance, the fourth in a series of five, it features a collection of 10-12 new theater works written by playwrights and recorded by actors whose livelihoods have been put on hold. The impressive roster of actors includes Cherry Jones, Judith Light, Santino Fontana, Amber Tamblyn , and many more. Streaming for four days only. Minimum donation: $10; free for first responders and essential workers. Appropriate for ages 14+

Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to online education across the country, the Broadway community has come together to present Project Sing Out! , a one-night-only, livestreamed event to raise funds for the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) to support arts education, specifically in low-income communities and communities of color. The show will feature musical performances, spoken word, and special appearances from a variety of Broadway and TV’s biggest names including Broadway legend Chita Rivera , and Tony Award winners and nominees such as Vanessa Williams, Audra McDonald, Ruthie Ann Miles, Ali Stroker , and many, many more. Free

Now streaming: classic New York movies

Still feeling nostalgic about pre-COVID NYC? This week we continue our look back with select movies based in the city during the 1930s and 40s, currently streaming for free or cheap, depending on the streaming site you use.

----- To put these films into historical context, consider that “42nd Street” and “King Kong” were both filmed in 1932 and released in 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression. Unemployment in the U.S. skyrocketed until reaching its peak of 25% in 1933. Close to 2,000 homeless New Yorkers lived in makeshift homes in squatters’ colonies in city parks, the largest being in Riverside Park at 72nd Street and the Great Lawn of Central Park. President Hoover was blamed for a failure to demonstrate leadership or bail out the crumbled economy.

----- The 1940s marked a period of recovery from the Depression and, from mid-decade, from World War II, when the economy began to flourish.

“42nd Street” (1933)

Set in 1932 during the Great Depression, this classic backstage drama recounts the tale of a director who puts on what may be his last Broadway show. At the last moment, an inexperienced newcomer has to replace the star. “42nd Street” stars Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, and Ginger Rogers. Streaming for $2.99 on YouTube , Amazon Prime Video , Vudu , and Apple iTunes .

“King Kong” (1933)

This is the original, landmark, American monster movie, famous for its climactic scene in which the giant ape climbs the Empire State Building while clutching Ann (Fay Wray), the object of his affection. Although Kong was the monster of the movie, the power of his presence and compassion for Ann made him a tragic hero in the greatest beauty and the beast tale in the movies. Streaming on HBO Max (free trial subscription available), as well as for $2.99 on Amazon Prime Video , YouTube , and Google Play Movies.

“The Clock” (1945)

“The Clock” was Judy Garland’s first straight dramatic role. While on a two-day leave in New York City, soldier Joe Allen (Robert Walker) meets secretary Alice Mayberry (Judy Garland) when she trips over him in Penn Station. They hit it off, and Alice decides to show Joe around. $2.99 to stream on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video as well as VUDU and Google Play .

“The Naked City” (1948)

A classic late 40s film noir/crime drama that revolves around the police investigation of the murder of a young model. The movie was shot on location on the streets of New York City and features landmarks such as the Williamsburg Bridge, the Whitehall Building (17 Battery Place), and an apartment building on West 83rd Street in Manhattan. Streaming on Kanopy (free access with a public library card or university subscription), HBO Max (free trial subscription available), as well as for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes .

“On the Town” (1949)

A lively musical starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, and Ann Miller. Three sailors have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City. Determined to make the most of every second, they explore the city in search of romance. The film was shot partially in Hollywood and partially on location, including at Columbus Circle, the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center. “On the Town” stands as a true classic, American, musical movie, having won an Academy Award for Best Musical. Streaming for $1.99 on Amazon Prime Video , YouTube , and iTunes .

COLLEAGUE CONNECTION

In each edition, OAA This Week asks our colleagues about how they’re faring with remote-work life. If you would like to be featured as a Colleague Connection, please contact Duffie Cohen at Duffie.Cohen@cuny.edu .

Jonathan Gagliardi , Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Effectiveness and Innovation

You started in your role at Central Office just as the pandemic hit and remote work commenced. Can you talk a little a bit about that experience ? The transition had two parts: leaving Lehman, which was bittersweet, and joining the Central Office, which has been a great experience. I accepted my position as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Effectiveness and Innovation in early March, with a start date of March 31. Within a few weeks, the campus had closed, and I was one of the few people who remained on site. So, I spent my last days alone in my office wrapping things up. Obviously, by the time I began at Central, we were mandated to work remotely, which I am privileged to be able to do, but it is an odd way to start a job. Luckily, Central is filled with friendly and familiar faces, who have bent over backwards to make the transition as smooth as possible. The whole experience, particularly March and April, has been pretty surreal.

You were instrumental in implementing the Credit/No Credit Flexible Grading Policy at CUNY. What are your reflections on the importance of the policy and its impact? It took a village, and I was lucky to work with Vivek Upadhyay , Lucinda Zoe , and a team of all stars from across the system, like Yvette Rosario and Richard Alvarez . In many ways the policy epitomizes what CUNY is all about: equity, empathy, and innovation. The policy is important because it puts our students first, and gives them an opportunity to overcome the disruption they have experienced as a result of the pandemic. It is in keeping with our mission of equity. The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on people of color and low-income households, who make up a large portion of our student body. The flexibility afforded by credit/no credit versus a letter grade helped hedge against the inequitable effects of the pandemic, allowing all of our students to maintain momentum towards a degree. Helping our students do so also has benefits for the University at a time when colleges and universities across the country face enrollment uncertainty.

----- The launch of the policy was effective, but that is just one part of the puzzle. For it to truly be a success, we need to sprint to the finish. Collectively, we have to anticipate the kinds of programs and supports that our students may need to make sure that problems do not surface later down the line. That is why OAA is in the process of analyzing the Credit/No Credit data we have, which will eventually be used to create targeted supports and services. We should be proud of the policy. It represents CUNY at its best.

You’ve been plugged into many other major initiatives since you’ve begun at Central Office. What work has made you especially proud? Besides the Credit/No Credit Flexible Grading Policy work, I think being a part of efforts to provide faculty with opportunities to enhance their online teaching has been rewarding. In May, we began with the School of Professional Studies Online Teaching Essentials (OTE) workshops, which are designed to provide opportunities to improve online teaching effectiveness. Folks have really appreciated the program and the feedback we have gotten has been tremendous. Other efforts, like an innovative partnership with Western Governors University, ongoing partnerships with the National Association of System Heads and the Association of College and University Educators, and those happening across the University will help lead CUNY into a future that will include a larger proportion of courses being taught online.

What’s your daily routine like lately? My days are fairly routine. I wake up early and take Winston (Winnie for short) for a walk through the woods by the Hudson River (we are in Riverdale). After some coffee and conversation with my wife, Sarah , we both put in a full day. My view is nice, especially in the fall. After work, we cook, walk Winnie , and tie up any loose ends related to work before calling it a night.

Any self-care routine that’s helping you through these trying times? I try to go for a few long bike rides a week. It helps me decompress, gives me some fresh air, and provides me with a change of scenery. I am also working on a book about how colleges use data, so I try to fit in 1-2 hours of writing on most days. I enjoy doing so, but am looking forward to having the time back!