Faculty Assembly Executive Council | Minutes | 2/13/19

Faculty Assembly Executive Council [FAEC] Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, Feb  13, 2019 | Location: A220  | Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Attendees: Kathryn Zeno, Tae Kwak, Donna Flynn, Sam Mustafa, Kathy Zeno, Renata Gangemi, Christina Connor, Hugh Sheehy, Eva Ogens, Catalin Martin

Secretary: Nakia Matthias

Guests:  President Mercer

FAEC Minutes Approved

1.  RCNJ AFT contract and faculty teaching load

The current AFT contract establishes that faculty teach twenty-four credit hours per academic year.  Most faculty teach twelve credits per semester with a 3/3 course load.

Although Ramapo maintains a 3/3 course load this is inflexible as does not generally permit other options for teaching distributions such as a 4/2 or 2/4 course load. Furthermore, if faculty currently teach overload in the Fall semester, compensation for the overload is not made until the Spring semester (in cases of teaching 4/3).

Enabling faculty to teach a 4/2 or 2/4 course load is allowed in our AFT contract.  The AFT specifies the number of credits but not the number of classes taught. Therefore, the contracts do not specify that Ramapo faculty must teach a 3/3 course load.  This is an interpretation issue and there is no need to change policy. RCNJ’s programmatic needs may be driving the practice of the 3/3 course load. If faculty desire to make the system more flexible it will require greater complexity.

Having the option to teach a 4/2 or 2/4 course load should be an possible for faculty outside of the scope of overload teaching.  Additionally, the Provost was under the impression that the teaching distribution policy allows for flexibility and that this should be the case under normal circumstances.  Summer teaching does not count as overload as it falls under a separate contract. The business school does facilitate 4/2 or 2/4 overload teaching to meet its needs.

(The provost is determining the financial feasibility of people teaching a 4/3 course load with 3 credit courses.) Faculty with demonstrated scholarship may be able to maintain a 3/3 course load. In the past this system was in place at RCNJ through flex time and resulted in disadvantages for non-tenure track faculty who were made to teach overload courses. One criticism was that senior faculty monopolized four credit classes and junior faculty were stuck with a greater course load. It can be proposed to allow three credit online courses that offer  faculty get four credit teaching compensation. This would be attractive to students and also help faculty accrue a four credit courses.

2.  Class enrollments and the credit hour system

Deans may allow up to ten percent of the classes in their unit run under the minimum student enrollment requirement if the class is critical to the programmatic need(s).   

One and two credit classes are being restructured which can be the groundwork for shifting to a 3/4 credit hour mixed model. Courses with a great number of major requirements can be impacted by any changes.

Winter and Summer online are going to converted to three credit  courses in order to be marketable. Summer classes can also be introduced with a reduced term.   

It would not matter whether faculty or adjuncts teach these some of these courses as paying a full time faculty member bearing an Assistant Professorship for overload and paying an adjunct falls within the same pay range.  

3.  Satellite programs at Sussex Comm. College

Faculty would like clarity about the nature of the satellite program and how it translates at the RCNJ campus.  The e-mail that was distributed does not provide for enough detail and context. Furthermore, the provost has reached out to convening groups about the program and this has placed faculty in an awkward position. There is a need for communication about the program that provide thorough clarification of its functionality and objectives.

The satellite program poses logistical issues for the library and its fulfillment of subscriptions.  It also poses logistical issues for who will be hired to teach and when courses will be taught. It also bears implications for math and writing courses. It is understood that satellite programs are not restricted to majors.  It is maintained that it is easier to teach advance courses online rather than introductory or remedial courses and that tjis is a consideration that must be made within satellite program offerings.

Student Success has devised a list of courses that can be expanded online within the various disciplines and concentrations.

4.  New course and programs

A Faculty Assembly vote on the placement of new ASB minors in the catalog is postponed to March 13th, the first meeting in the Spring semester.  This can be advanced as an information item and even if the vote is postponed to the Faculty Assembly’s April makeup meeting this poses no problem as it is an information item and minor.  The minor is already in the RCNJ catalog as a hidden item that will be activated by the registrar once it is approved by the BoT.

The ARC Chair, Jacqueline Braun has two items to vote on for the next Faculty Assembly meeting.  One of her concerns for the next meeting is that faculty that are hearing about the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program for the first time will object to it.

5.  The FAEC addressed the following issues with President Mercer:

The Spanish for Healthcare and Human Services Certificate Program

Since introduced, this program has been orphaned since Continuing Education (CIPL) was dissolved and coordinating the certificate has been an issue.  Natalia Santamaria-Laorden is the only contact person for the program as well as the program coordinator.   Currently there is no way for students to declare this certificate so the registrar has to do this manually.

6.  RCNJ and its position as a Military-Friendly school

Accommodations should be made to students in the reserves or in other areas of the military on an as-needed basis.  This relates to testing and the fulfillment of coursework, and course activities.

7.  Healthcare and Pensions

Any pension changes impact health care benefits would be negotiated through the AFT.  Under the Governmental Accounting Standards Board(GASB) rules the pension issue would put RCNJ in the red if the college had to cover it.  President Mercer is unsure of how the state will balance the issue of funding pensions and health benefits

8.  The state of annual STEP and COLA increases

Not receiving step or cost of living increases takes much needed income from faculty salaries for each year of faculty members careers.  The Governor is opposed to such measures but the Senate democrats are in support of it.

9. New Jersey Secretary of State and Vocational Training

The Dr. Zakiya Smith-Ellis, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education’s remarks on the ramping focus on promoting and funding for vocational and training centric educational programs is concerning.  Such direction does not provide for the support liberal arts programs. The secretary is committed to producing a plan for higher educations in the next few weeks.

Meeting Adjourned at 12:00 pm

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