Annual Report of the Committee on Committee on Vendor Services
To: Steering Committee, Academic Senate
From: Chair, Committee on Committee on Vendor Services
Date: June 26th 2020
Membership/officers
- Cheng, Steven, Mathematics & Computer Sciences (2021)
- Denninhy, Melissa, English (2020)- Secretary
- Franzese, Janet, Nursing (2020)- Chair
- Ostrowe, Linda, Counseling (2022)
- Proteasa, Georghe, Biological Sciences and Geology (2022)
- Shi, Lucy, Finance & Administration (2021)
Liaisons
Liaisons
Student Representatives
- Gregory Eastwood
- Mahendra (Shawn) Mohabir
Committee chairperson had reached out for student representatives to attend the meetings throughout the academic year but no students attended any meetings. Emails sent to Ankush Gaba and Academic Steering Committee with dates/times of meeting each semester.
Liaisons
- Gheorghe Proteasa, Biological Sciences and Geology, Steering Committee Designee
- Vikki Terrile, The Kurt R. Schmeller Library, COC Liaison
- David Wasserman, Finance and Administration, President's Liaison
Membership Composition Changes
The Committee on Vendor Services shall:
- Receive and evaluate the report of the Auxiliary Enterprise Board on vendor services and recommend to the Academic Senate on matters pertaining to the services and facilities of all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services, on an annual basis;
- Consider and evaluate suggestions and complaints regarding the service and facilities of all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services, sending them on to the Auxiliary Enterprise Board;
- Review the College's assessment of the manner of selection of and the contractual arrangements with all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services and make recommendations.
Committee Meeting Dates
Narrative summary of committee work
The committee actively collaborated on updating the Spring 2007- A Guide For Committee On Vendor Services Members . The members created a Google doc and at each meeting discuss, revised and updated each section of the guide. Current links were added and attachments were updated. The new Guide for Committee on Vendor Services Members Spring 2020 will be posted on the Queensborough Website. Completed
Assigned Committee work as per Bylaws Charge/Strategic Plan/Middle States Items/ or Actions of the Academic Senate
Consider and evaluate suggestions and complaints regarding the service and facilities of all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services, sending them on to the Auxiliary Enterprise Board;
#1- In progress
- Chief Librarian Jeanne Galvin suggested including flash drives in vending machine in the library. Students have requested if they can purchase at the library as the bookstore is far or maybe closed at various times making this difficult for many students.
- Discussion included possibility of piloting sale of flash drives for a temporary trial period
- The committee discuss the possibility teaching students how to attach files to email, upload them to a drop box, etc. – perhaps a workshop on digital literacy?
- Letters to Vice President William Faulkner and Chief Librarian Jeanne Galvin sent.
- Bill Faulkner was following up with vendor possibly adding flash drive to the vending machine, in library but Covid-19 and no campus activity at this time.
#2 Faculty do not have much time to get food between classes and meetings- In progress
- Committee discussed possibility of Oakland Dining Room to carry pre-prepared salad and sandwich options (similar to what is in Starbucks) because there are often long lines in the Science Cafeteria and Starbucks.
- CUNY Campus’s are in the process of binding for a new contract with a Vendor starting in the Fall 2020. Therefore will be explored with new vendor established.
#3 Food Stamps- In progress
- A faculty member noted to a member of the Vendor Services committee that students cannot use food stamps on campus.
- Metro is not contractually obligated to accept food stamps.
#4. Allergies- In Progress
- Phil Pecorin Chairperson of the Faculty Executive contacted the committee requesting a review of the status regarding food allergies and the campus environment. Following a recent article “Dining Hall Free of the Big 8” . Nassau County passed food allergy legislation in October 2019
- The committee emailed the Health Services Office Isabel Hocevar; and the Director of Public Safety John Triolo and to inquire about the protocols in place in the event of a food allergy episode on campus.
- Committee reviewed responses from John Triolo and Isabel Hocevar. .
D Committee members followed up with Marcos Peralta on 3/4/2020 re: faculty concerns about food allergies. Marcos confirmed that food allergy signs are posted in the dining room. Stated he would check all areas to ensure signs posted.
- This Charge is in progress- Due to Covid -19 and for safety students/faculty no longer on campus after March 2020. A New CUNY vendor will be in place Fall 2020 and needs to explored.
Committee Responses towards Steering Committee Charges
- In Progress- Receive and evaluate the report of the Auxiliary Enterprise Board on vendor services and recommend to the Academic Senate on matters pertaining to the services and facilities of all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services, on an annual basis; A.Vendor Committee will continue to review reports brought to meetings.
- In Progress- Consider and evaluate suggestions and complaints regarding the service and facilities of all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services, sending them on to the Auxiliary Enterprise Board;- B. Committee to follow up on suggestions of flash drives in vending machine at library, and to continue to ensure safety measures for allergies on the campus. Discuss the new cuny campus vendor, collaborate with John Triolo Director of safety, Director of health services office Isabel Hocevar, and Phil Pecorin Chairperson of the Faculty Executive.
In Progress- Review the College's assessment of the manner of selection of and the contractual arrangements with all vendors to the College, including the Bookstore and Food Services and make recommendations. C. The Committee will review and discuss the status and decision of the CUNY vendor starting Fall 2020. Follow up with allergy guidelines and explore having wraps, sandwich’s, and salads to go at Oakland for faculty and staff.
Recommendations for Next Academic Year
- Review the new Vendor for food services and the policies for allergy safety, food stamps, and pre-packaged sandwiches, salads etc to go at Oakland.
- Follow –Up- Flash drives in the library vending machine.
- C. Update attachment 2 – SAMPLE POLICY STATEMENT from Wednesday, November 30th, 2005 for the Spring 2020 A Guide for Committee on Vendor Services Members
New Committee Members – newly elected Chair and Secretary
Steven Cheng was nominated as Secretary, and accepted the nomination
Gheorghe Proteasa was nominated as Chairperson, accepted the nomination
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the members of the Committee on vendor services for 2019-2020 for all their teamwork, dedication, and commitment on completing the Guidebook.
Respectfully Submitted,
Committee on Vendor Services Janet Franzese, Chair
