2 April 2025                                           News Editor Jane Weiss

Spring 2025 Faculty and Staff Convocation Thursday 3 April 2025 3:00 – 4:30 PM in U219

The Spring 2025 Convocation will take place on Thursday, April 3 at 3 PM in U219. During Convocation, KCC administrators will provide an update on the development and implementation process and timeline for our new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and ask for your feedback on key elements related to the plan’s five goals.

Grade Change & WN Reveral Forms Now in CF

In order to streamline the process of changing grades, CUNY has relocated the grade change and WN reversal forms from inside.kingsborough to CUNY first. When you need to access one of these forms, please log into CUNY first and go to “Faculty Center,” where you will find the forms you need.

Emergency Contact Information

The English department is currently updating its emergency contact information. The forms have already been sent out. If you have not yet completed the form or need to update your contact details, please reach out to Madeline Trice at [email protected]

Spring 2025 Syllabi

There are still a few syllabi pending submission. If you have not submitted yours yet, please send it to Madeline Trice at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Workload Forms

As we are reviewing the departmental bookkeeping, some faculty members may receive notifications regarding adjustments to your workload forms. We kindly ask for your patience in addressing the necessary corrections and returning the updated forms promptly.

University Faculty Senate Nominations and Election

The election for KCC representatives to the University Faculty Senate will take place next week, and nominations are taking place this week. We will elect one senator and two alternates. The mission of the UFS is to “represent the entire faculty in shared governance on all matters relevant to the educational interests of the University.” The term for Senator is three years. Alternate senators serve in that position for one year. You can find out more about the positions of Senator and Alternate here: https://www1.cuny.edu/sites/cunyufs/about/ufs-charter/article-ii-membership/ .  Candidate nominations for UFS senator may be cast this week starting Tuesday, 4/1 at 9 am and will end on or about Wednesday, 4/2 at 5 pm. (The election software is currently experiencing technical difficulties so the actual closing time will be announced later today.) The election for UFS senator will then open up Monday 4/7 at 9 am and will close on Tuesday 4/8 at 5 pm.  Candidate nominations for alternate members (two) may be cast this week starting Thursday, 4/3 at 9 am and will close Friday, 4/5 at 5 pm.  The election for UFS alternate members will then open up on Wednesday 4/9 at 9 am and will close on Thursday 4/10 at 5 pm.

You are welcome to nominate yourself or your colleagues to serve on this important CUNY-wide faculty governance body. Your service for the good of the university will be much appreciated.  If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

And an English Department note: Annie has sent an email to your KCC email address inviting department members who would like to serve on the UFS to “reply all” to her message, so that we know which colleagues would like to be nominated.

David B. Silver Scholarship Poetry Competition 2025

Student entries are invited for the David B. Silver Poetry Competition. The deadline for submission of entries is Sunday, April 20, 2024. Rules for competition: Only KCC students may participate; each student may submit a maximum of two entries; poems must be fifty lines or fewer; all entries must include the student’s full name, address, telephone number, and email address. Entries should be emailed to [email protected] The poems will be judged on these criteria: originality of perspective; appropriateness of English language, form, and content; evocative trigger of emotional reaction; economical use of language. Awards: First Prize: $500; Second Prize: $300; Third Prize: $200. The David B. Silver Scholarship Faculty Committee will evaluate all entries. Awards will be presented during the KCC Awards ceremony on Wednesday June 12, 2025. Questions about the poetry competition should be directed to: [email protected]

Faculty Mentor and Support Hours in E219

A message from Hope Parisi:

Hope Parisi is in E219 this semester, available for informal chats with new and experienced part-time faculty, and all faculty, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:40pm-2:10pm, with more availability by phone or Zoom according to wish or need. Please come by this welcoming environment if you’re on campus. Hope’s email is [email protected].

KCC Commencement Wednesday 18 June 2025 10 AM at the Coney Island Amphitheatre

John Keller is the English department’s official commencement liaison, and Kingsborough Community College is gearing up for an exciting 60th AnniversaryGraduation Ceremony to be held this year at the Coney Island Amphitheatre on June 18th @ 10 AM. In the next few weeks, John will send out an RSVP form that faculty will be required to fill out in order to enter the venue.

A few other important details: The website is now open to order or rent regalia/gowns: facultydirect.herffjones.com. Orders are due by May 1st, and can be picked up on campus on June 3rd at no additional charge.           

The committee is looking for faculty volunteers for 1) student cap and gown and ticket distribution beginning June 3rd, and in the days following; 2) graduation day, to help with the check-in process and 3) to act as marshals (ushers) during the ceremony. If you’re interested in serving the college in this capacity, or if you have questions or comments, please reach out to John at  [email protected].

A Note about the Newsletter

A message from Jane Weiss, News editor: 

The next newsletter will come out on Monday 7 April 2025. Send items to be included by Friday 4 April 2025 to Jane Weiss at [email protected]. Please keep items brief (preferably 100 or fewer words). Longer items will be abridged. Many faculty members would like to learn more about colleagues’ areas of scholarship, so if you would like to share what you’re working on, the Newsletter will welcome descriptions of your research and recent or upcoming presentations, publications, performances, and creative achievements of all kinds.