January 12, 2021 – Held via Zoom
Meeting started at 6:35pm
Margaret Matz opened the meeting.
Shankar Venkataraman attended for part of the meeting (and left before the Awards update). Laura Spinner attended to present regarding Awards (and left after her presentation).
Donato Giacalone presented an update as the VP Faculty/Student Liaison. He mentioned overall students complained about Zoom fatigue, feeling isolated, and missing interactions with other students. Labs are open, but by appointment only and limited capacity. Shipping costs for student kits have taken a large amount of the school budget ($30k).
The art school would like to start an archive this year. A suggestion was made to ask each student to donate a digital art file. The architecture school held a virtual open house and is planning several exhibits. The engineering school hired new faculty and opened searches for additional faculty. A quarterly newsletter was launched with highlights of V.I.P. programs, student highlights, CU@Home, and new faculty members.
More alumni representatives to the engineering school are welcome.
On the positive side, schools adapted to online learning, student counseling efforts continue, AACE Lab is in operation, and students are working on social programs.
Margaret Matz mentioned the call for alumni submissions for school exhibits should be mentioned during the Council meeting.
Mary Lynch reported the Nominating Committee is progressing on notifying nominees for the CUAA elections.
Kelly Occhiuzzo Zack reported on Events. There were two First Tuesdays trivia nights. An alumni showcase is coming up at the end of January. Peter Cooper birthday celebrations in February are being coordinated with the school. There is a virtual 5K in the works. In April or May, Barry Drogin will host a Green-Wood Cemetery tour. Kelly mentioned that the Events Committee is trying to coordinate better with the Communications Committee, Annual Fund, and the school.
Laura Spinner (Awards Committee Chair) provided an update regarding the awards ceremony. The videos are being recorded this week, with editing to follow. There will also be a Q&A session with the award winners based on questions submitted by alumni. The link to nominate alumni for next year’s awards is live on the CUAA website. Mary Lynch mentioned that the event should be advertised to students. Laura stated that she will check with Anna Covatta at the OoAA.
Bernie Codd reported an update for the Communications Committee. He said the January newsletter went out today. He encouraged everyone to submit their content timely. The Committee is working with the OoAA on a plan to publicize the February events around Peter Cooper’s birthday.
Margaret Matz mentioned that the Communications Committee may want to coordinate with the individual schools on content that goes into their newsletters.
Timing of the next alumni newsletter was discussed as well as how it will interact with publicizing the CUAA elections and meet the candidates night. The goal should be to send out the newsletter in March and to have content in by February 28.
Margaret Matz noted that Shankar Venkataraman (Elections Committee Chair) now has a vice chair (Sim Blaustein). They are working on updating their contacts database.
Margaret Matz reported that the Annual Fund has prepared another appeal and it will be addressed soon.
Anna Brook moved to adjourn the meeting. Mary Lynch seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm.