Welcome to the Fall 2024 Semester!

August 28, 2024

To: The John Jay College Community
Re: Welcome to the Fall 2024 Semester!

As the 2024 fall semester at John Jay officially begins, I’d like to offer a warm welcome to our returning students, faculty, and staff, and extend a special greeting to our first-year and transfer students. As valued members of our Bloodhound family, everyone has a stake in our community’s growth, institutional progress, and student success. I urge our scholars to seek opportunities, ask questions, and actively engage in their own unique educational journey. Please take full advantage of our upcoming Weeks of Welcome events, each designed to enhance the John Jay experience. 

As we all settle into our schedules, here are a few important announcements:

  • Myrna Forney has joined our community as the Interim Chief Legal Counsel. Ms. Forney is an attorney experienced in employment and education law. She has counseled public school districts and boards of education on a variety of issues including: litigation, labor relations matters, and the development and implementation of school district policies. Ms. Forney earned her law degree and master’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University and obtained her bachelor’s degree in accounting and Spanish from Adrian College. I’m confident that Ms. Forney will enhance our College community with her extensive legal background and commitment to justice. Please join me in welcoming her to John Jay.
  • The New Student Convocation ceremony will be held tomorrow, Thursday, August 29th, at 1:40 p.m. in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater. This year, we’ll be joined by keynote speaker Kenny S. Terrero, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP. As a John Jay College alumnus, who received his bachelor’s degree in legal studies in 2000, and a recipient of the 2020 “Cornerstone Award” from Lawyers Alliance in recognition of his exceptional pro bono legal services, I’m excited to hear Mr. Terrero’s inspiring address to our new students.
  • Our annual 9/11 tribute will be held on Tuesday, September 10th at 1:45 p.m. and online to honor the enduring legacy of the 67 John Jay community members we lost during the September 11th attacks. In memory of our fallen heroes, and the nearly 3,000 lives lost, you can also register to donate blood at John Jay’s blood drive on Thursday, September 19th, in L.61 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • In recent months, I have been considering two questions facing our community: 1) When do we speak? (When should I make an institutional statement?) and 2) How do we speak? (How do we equip our community for productive dialogue on challenging topics?) As part of this effort, I’m planning a fall 2024 listening tour to solicit feedback on #1 and preview campus-wide work on #2. Stops on the listening tour include regularly scheduled meetings of the John Jay College Foundation Board, President’s Leadership Council, Faculty Senate, College Council, Council of Chairs, Student Council, HEO Council, Town Hall, and an open forum. I’ll also gather feedback through an online form that we’ll share soon.
  • Lastly, ensuring student safety is one of our most important tasks. With that in mind, I ask that everyone review CUNY’s Rules for Maintenance of Public Order.

It’s going to be a stimulating and fulfilling semester for us all—especially seeing that this year marks John Jay’s 60th anniversary. I’m thrilled to witness, support, and applaud our collective success. Remember: When everyone helps their neighbor, uses their voice, and acts for the common good, we all benefit and thrive. Best wishes for a successful fall semester.

 

Thank you,

Karol V. Mason
President 
John Jay College of Criminal Justice