The Ithacan

The Ithaca College Staff Compensation Program is in the final stretch of its structure and program redesign.

The search committee hosted listening sessions for the search process for Ithaca College’s new vice president of the Office of Human and Organizational Development, Innovation and Planning.

Brian Dickens, vice president of the Office of Human Resources, will be leaving his position at Ithaca College effective July 31.

If the college is facing a problem, whether in enrollment or with finances, the community has a right to be aware.

The Ithaca College Office of Civic Engagement is currently “on hold” pending the selection of a new executive director.

Rothschild Place, a temporary structure on Ithaca College’s campus built in 2004 to house department overflow, has been operating under a temporary occupancy permit since its creation. However, the college applied for and was granted a permanent occupancy permit for the building Aug. 2. Despite this change, there are no plans at this time to renovate or build a permanent structure.

A new federal regulation will change the way that higher education institutions compensate employees for overtime hours, causing uncertainty at Ithaca College about which positions will be covered under the new rule. The college has determined that 100 staff positions could face either increases to their salaries or overtime pay.

Twelve percent of U.S. private-sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer, according to the U.S. Department of Labor website. While Ithaca College is part of this 12 percent, some faculty on campus said they wish there were clearer guidelines regarding parental leave.

In a recent announcement, the college laid out parts of the diversity action plan that are on track — such as developing a Fall 2016 campus-climate survey — and parts of the plan that are falling behind — such as developing a community review board for the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management.

Fifty-nine staff positions were cut in 29 departments at Ithaca College since August 2013 through the workforce analysis initiative.

In Fall 2015, Ithaca College set a timeline for addressing issues regarding diversity and campus climate. Although the plan covers a timeline of roughly 2 1/2 years, Roger Richardson, associate provost of diversity, inclusion and engagement and interim chief diversity officer, said it is not realistic for all deadlines to be made.

Students protesting the racial climate at Ithaca College are not the only ones finding a collective voice with which to address institutionalized racism. In a tumultuous fall semester, at least 75 other colleges and universities have begun bringing their demands for change to their administrations.