Welcome back everyone! I know we are all energized to have faculty and students back on our campuses. I am looking forward to another year of putting our students first and moving our performance excellence agenda forward.
We have several updates and some news for you this month including highlights of our informative yet fun-filled convocation session. I especially enjoyed the student engagement and the CSN family awards section of the program that recognized our outstanding faculty and staff. Thank you in advance for putting students first.
- Federico
In this issue:
• Campus Safety
• University Police Services Test
• Convocation & Awards
• Multi-Campus Update
• Student Unions Now Open • Urban Chamber Luncheon
• Chief HR Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Salary Study Update
• Fall 2019 Enrollment Report
Read the President’s Blog
Campus Safety
As I mentioned last week, CSN has issued an emergency removal letter regarding the student who was arrested during the incident on the Henderson Campus on August 28. The effect of this action is that the student is now prohibited from entering any CSN or NSHE campus until there is a hearing and a full investigation.
I want to personally thank the police officers on the scene, as well as Chief Darryl Caraballo, Associate Vice President & Director of University Police Services Adam Garcia and especially the bystanders who reported what they saw to the police. Communication between law enforcement and college administration was rapid, transparent and effective. Once police had determined the situation presented no further danger to our campus or our faculty, staff and students, we quickly followed our communications protocols and disseminated as much information to the campus community as possible.
While any immediate danger is over, there is still an active investigation ongoing. You may have noticed that there is an increased police presence on all of our campuses. I pledge to keep you informed once the investigation is complete as to its status, and as we consider other measures to increase safety on all our campuses.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to our law enforcement team for their handling of this situation, and for the day-to-day activities they perform on our behalf.
University Police Services Test
As a reminder, University Police Services will be conducting an emergency alert test at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 12. You are automatically enrolled to receive emergency notifications. If you have not yet done so, please download the CSN Mobile Safety app and encourage students you may encounter to do so as well.
Visit UPD South to Learn More
Multi-Campus Update
As we move into our first semester with new leadership in place for each campus, I am excited to more fully develop the multi-campus district model. I know our campus leaders are as well, and you are encouraged to reach out to them with your welcome messages, questions or concerns you may have about your campus. Each campus vice president & provost has expressed to me their eagerness to hear from you.
Please read more on my blog at the link below, including how to contact the campus vice presidents and staffing news related to the multi-campus model.
Read the Full Blog Post
Convocation & Awards
I wanted to again thank all those who came to our Fall 2019 Convocation Kickoff & State of the College event last month at Texas Station. You can see photos of the event here (You do not need a Facebook account to view these pictures). I am particularly proud of the students who participated, including those who presented their research conducted in the SEA-PHAGES program and the CSN Concert Dance Company.
I also want to congratulate the winners of the President’s Distinguished Employee of the Year & Excellence Awards.
Distinguished Administrative Faculty of the Year Sherri Payne
Distinguished Full-Time Faculty of the Year John Aliano
Distinguished Part-Time Faculty of the Year Michelle Dominguez
Excellence in Assessment Brian Schmidt
Excellence in Online Teaching Jim Matovina & Theri Wyckoff
Excellence in Service to CSN Kody Lightfoot & Vanessa Winn
Be sure to nominate a colleague for next year’s award, and look for information about the Regents’ Awards on the IRC’s website below.
Nominate Someone for a Regents’ Award
Student Unions are Now Open!
I hope you all have taken a moment to see our new student unions. I am so pleased to have a new, welcoming space for our students to socialize and study. As noted, the unions will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and they will be closed on weekends. Events in the union can be booked through 25Live. Student-focused events will receive priority booking. I’d like to extend a big thank you and well done to the team that helped get these buildings up and running.
Book Your Event Now
Urban Chamber Luncheon
I was very pleased to join the Urban Chamber of Commerce last month for a discussion of how CSN supports small businesses in the community.
Joining me were Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development Ricardo Villalobos, Business Professor Kevin Raiford and Associate Vice President of Procurement and Auxiliary Services Rolando Mosqueda.
As you know, it is a vital part of CSN’s mission to ensure that we align our programs to the needs of the local business community. I am proud to partner with the Urban Chamber as we work together to ensure that our young people not only get the education they deserve, but also have the opportunities after graduation to prosper in our community.
Read More About the Luncheon
Chief HR Officer
As you know, we are in the recruiting process for a new Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 20. Our search consultant, Gold Hill Associates, will then perform a minimum qualifications review, to be followed by a screening committee review. By mid-October, Skype interviews will be underway, with on-campus interviews of the finalists in late October and early November. As always, we will keep you informed as the process moves forward.
Read the Full Job Description
Chief Information Officer
I am pleased to let you know that after a nationwide search, we have hired Mugunth Vaithylingam as CSN’s Chief Information Officer. You will recall that the IT Assessment completed by Huron Consulting recommended that we hire a full-time Chief Information Officer as a CSN employee, rather than as an employee of an outside contractor. Mugunth has been with us in that role for more than 10 years, so we can all be confident that this will be a smooth transition. Please join me in congratulating Mugunth.
Salary Study Update
Work between CSN and Gallagher Consulting continues on the salary study for administrative and academic Faculty. Although the process is taking longer than we anticipated, we are making progress. Please note that any salary increases that result will be retroactive to July 1, 2019. Please direct any questions you have in an email to Ayesha Kidd, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer. The President, and his executive council, Human Resources, and the Salary Study Committee are dedicated to completing the study. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Fall 2019 Enrollment Update
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through September 2, 2019. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data
See the Enrollment Report