Coronavirus Response Taskforce Workgroups
Coronavirus Response Task Force Workgroup Details
Mercy is offering summer courses online and is working diligently to plan for the fall term, as the guidelines from New York State Governor Cuomo and public health officials continue to evolve. The University has established an internal task force of five workgroups to evaluate multiple possible scenarios for the fall term that will ensure students have access to their courses, no matter what. These workgroups will evaluate fall 2020 operations and focus on academics and academic technology, work environment, classrooms and safety, student spaces and residence halls, campus events, visitors and transportation, and other contingencies.
The workgroups are developing proposals using guiding principles which include:
- Protecting and supporting the health, wellness, safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff.
- Upholding the commitment to our mission of providing high-quality learning environments for our students.
- Seeking to understand and adapt to student, faculty and staff needs and challenges.
- Maintaining and improving business and administrative operations and efficiencies.
- Attending to what we can control without letting the many unknowns distract us from good planning.
- Ensuring smooth and clear communication with all stakeholders.
- Being proactive and ready to change course when needed.
- Being cost effective and aligning resources appropriately.
- Maintaining a high standard of service excellence.
- Emerging stronger than we were before, drawing on new and existing best practices.
Taskforce Workgroups
To manage the task ahead, leaders from our administration and faculty have joined together in the five workgroups detailed below.
Areas of Focus
Academic Policies and Academic Calendar, At-Risk Faculty, Internships/Clinicals and Practical Experiences, Classroom Density, Support Services (Library and CAEI)
Managers
- Jose Herrera, Provost
- Camille Shelley, Chief Information Officer
- Lloyd Gibson, Dean of the School of Business
Workgroup Members
- All Deans
- Lu Mann, Associate Provost
- Mary Lozina, Director of Online Learning
- Bill Latimer, Vice President of New Rochelle and Bronx
- Masele Kibassa, Director for the Center of Academic Excellence
- Moddie Breland, Interim Director of Libraries
- Marylou Alvarez, Director of Enrollment Services
- Susan Riehm, Senior Assistant Director, Registrar
- Faculty Members:
- Rossi Hassad (SSBS)
- Patricia Sutton (SHNS)
- Sean Dugan (SLA)
- Lorraine Cashin (SHNS)
- Mitch Fried (Center for Teaching and Learning)
- Sabrina Timperman (SHNS)
Areas of Focus
Reopening Procedures and Protocols, Social Distancing Measures, Precautions for Employees in Student/Outward Facing Roles, Employee Travel, At-Risk Employees
Managers
- Tom Simmonds, Vice President of Operations and Facilities
- Konrad Motyka, Executive Director for Campus Safety and Emergency Management
Workgroup Members
- Annette Piecora, Director of Human Resources
- Anne Gilligan, Assistant Vice President of Admissions
- Leighann Van De Bogart, Director of PACT Program
- Colleen Powers, Director of Health and Wellness Programs
- Nancy Londono, Accounting Manager
- Todd Prattella, Director of IT
- Brian Johnson, Vice President MercyManhattan
- Felicia Brandon, Executive Director of Student Accounts
- Craig Soss, Assistant Director of Capital Projects
- Faculty
- Patrick. McCabe (SOE)
- Kathleen Kenney-Riley (SHNS)
- Sheila Chatman (Adjunct, SHNS)
- Crisanta Melicio (Adjunct, SHNS)
- Ruth Hansen (SHNS)
Areas of Focus
Social Distancing/Density Measures, Usage Policies, At-Risk Students and Accommodations, Retail Spaces (Bookstore, Food Service, Fitness)
Managers
- Kevin Joyce, Vice President of Student Affairs
- Orla Fitzsimons, Director of Operations
Workgroup Members
- Moddie Breland, Interim Director of Libraries
- Masele Kibassa, Director of the Center for Academic Excellence
- Felipe Henao, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
- Nick Canzano, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
- Shabad Sood, Director Technical Services
- Cesar Robles, Director of Safety and Security
- Kristin Ackerman, Associate Director of Student Affairs
- Raj Kumar, Executive Director Student Success
- Jill Hart, Executive Director Career and Professional Development
- Louis Cameron, Assistant Director of Student Life
- Faculty
- Scorpio. Rogers (SBUS)
- Lisa Martin (SHNS)
- Rita Neilan (SHNS)
Areas of Focus
Social Distancing/Density Measures, Campus Usage Policies (including updates to agreements, insurance requirements, etc.)
Managers
- Adam Castro, Vice President of Admissions
- Alexis Rothenberg, Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events
Workgroup Members
- Lisa Mills-Campbell, Director of Community Programs and Events
- Yara Benjamin, Director of Transportation
- Jason Gloe, Associate Director of Student Life
- Matt Kilcullen, Director of Athletics
- Faculty
- Victor Petenkemani (SBUS),
- Alan Hartman (SLA)
Areas of Focus
Expense Management, Operational Efficiencies, Student Financial Hurdles
Managers
- Brett Carroll, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
- Shaini Mathew, Director of Internal Audit
Workgroup Members
- Maria Cruzet, Director of Budget and Planning
- Margaret McGrail, Vice President Enrollment Services
- Annette Piecora, Director of Human Resources
- Jessica Haber, Chief of Staff
- Salena Alamprese, Director of Business Services & Capital Planning
- Faculty
- Denise Stefano (SBUS)
Task Force Facilitators
- Jessica Haber, Chief of Staff
- Matthew Presser, Executive Director of Institutional Assessment and Planning
Consultants
- Kristen Bowes, General Counsel
- Bernadette Wade, Chief Advancement Officer
- Laura Plunkett, Director of Public Relations and Community Relations
- Jessica Baily, Director of Communications