COVID-19-Related Committees and Task Forces

Colgate University is taking proactive steps to protect the campus community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To make informed decisions on the often aggressive timeline dictated by the crisis, Colgate turns to established committees and working groups that include broad representation from the faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and student body. As recommendations come from these groups, the appropriate University governance committees will be consulted and asked to contribute to the planning efforts.

Task Force on the Reopening of the Colgate Campus

This task force is charged with developing criteria and guidelines for a safe opening of the campus, in whole or in part, or in stages. They will develop a timeline of decision points, provide regular updates to the campus community, and offer recommendations as plans develop.

Co-Chair: Paul J. McLoughlin II, Vice President and Dean of the College
Co-Chair: Geoff Holm, Associate Professor of Biology
Gus Coldebella, Trustee
Dan Gough, Associate Vice President for Campus Safety, Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety
Carolyn Hsu, Professor of Sociology
Krista Ingram, Professor of Biology
Ellen Percy Kraly, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies
Bob McVaugh, Professor of Art and Art History
Juliana Smith, Deputy Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator (FAC)
Priscilla Van Wynsberghe, Associate Professor of Biology (FAC)
Amarachi Iheanyichukwu ’21, Student Government Association President
Michele Carney, Senior Administrative Assistant and Staff to the Task Force

Task Force on Remote Learning

This task force is charged with developing new ways to support faculty as we continue, in whole or in part, in remote instruction in the fall and potentially beyond.

Co-Chair: Niranjan Davray, Chief Information Officer
Co-Chair: Eddie Watkins, Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research
Jennifer Brice, Associate Professor of English (FAC)
Jesi Buell, Instructional Design & Web Librarian, Colgate University Libraries
Jeanne Follansbee, Trustee
Ryan Hall, Assistant Professor of History
Karen Harpp, Professor of Geology and Peace and Conflict Studies
Ana Jimenez, Assistant Professor of Biology
Doug Johnson, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Associate Dean of Faculty
Scott Kraly, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Jeff Nugent, Director of Learning and Applied Innovation in ITS, and Associate Director of the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research
Lynn Schwarzer, Professor of Art & Art History and Film & Media Studies and Director of the Upstate Institute
Ashley Taylor, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies
Risako Yang, ’21
Renée Chapin, Coordinator for the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research and Staff to the Task Force

Emergency Operations Center Section Chiefs

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) includes representatives from departments across campus, to address operations, communications, and logistics planning. Section chiefs, drawn from the full EOC membership, include representatives from the center’s four areas and communications as well as an EOC coordinator and the liaison to the Executive Group. These roles can shift between EOC members, depending on meeting times and section needs.

Operations: Dan Gough, AVP Campus Safety, EM. Management, EHS
Logistics: Jason Wallace, Director of Facilities
Planning: Lori Chlad, Associate VP for Human Resources
Finance/Admin: John Collins, AVP Budget and Finance Planning
Communications: Dan DeVries, Media Relations Director
Executive Group Liaison: Sue Smith, Associate VP for Residential Programs and Student Support
EOC Coordinator: Gary Bridge, Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness Manager

Emergency Operations Center Executive Group

The Executive Group makes final decisions in a crisis based on the recommendations and expertise received from the EOC.

Brian W. Casey, University President
Lesleigh Cushing, Professor of Religion and Jewish Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculty
Joseph Hope, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Investment Officer
Tracey Hucks, Provost and Dean of the Faculty; James A. Storing Professor of Religion and Africana & Latin American Studies
Laura H. Jack, Vice President for Communications
Paul J. McLoughlin II, Vice President and Dean of the College
Nicki Moore, Vice President and Director of Athletics; Director of the Division of PERA
Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Gary Ross, The Jones and Wood Family Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
Karl W. Clauss, Vice President for Advancement
Christopher Wells, Senior Advisor to the President; Assistant Dean for Administrative Advising
Debbie Pils, Assistant to the President and Staff to the Executive Group

Committee On Budget and Financial Planning

This committee is concerned with long-range financial planning and projections and the preparation of yearly budgets. It has the responsibility of advising the President on yearly budgets and matters related to financial planning and projections.

Tracey E. Hucks, Provost and Dean of the Faculty
Usman Ahmad ’22, Student Government Association, VP of Finance
Yariv Amir, Senior Associate Athletic Director
Sivi Colberg ’22
John Collins, AVP Budget and Finance Planning
Rick Geier, Warren ’43 and Lillian Anderson Chair in Chemistry; Professor of Chemistry; Chair, Department of Chemistry
Constance Harsh, Professor of English; Chair, Department of English
Joseph Hope, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Investment Officer
Ellen Holm, Assistant Dean of the College for Administration
Amarachi Iheanyichukwu ’21, Student Government Association President
Trish St. Leger, Vice Provost
Ben Lennertz, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Genevieve McCarthy ’21
Drew Porter, Senior Budget Analyst
Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Nicole Simpson, W. Bradford Wiley Professor of Economics