FA minutes April 29, 2020

Ramapo College of New Jersey
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
2 pm, Online/remote

FACULTY ASSEMBLY

FA Minutes Approved

Report: FA President

On May 19th from 10-2 there will be a Faculty Teaching Workshop featuring faculty that have excellent remote/online learning practices and experiences to share. It will focus on best practices and will be hosted by Lysandra Perez-Strumolo, Tammy Redd, and Michael Bitz,

Students Survey

Over 100 students responded and 106 faculty responded. Students prefer pre-recorded video and zoom video conferencing but did not want an increased workload.  The notion is that they valued faculty engagement but that not additional work. Was not helpful given the circumstances.

Attendance requirements are a concern as some students were unable to attend or not comfortable having the Webex/conferencing sessions.  Students are also concerned about taking exams and exam delivery. 

The Provost suggested that it would be helpful to have a debriefing session about these experiences.

Online Teaching Concerns

Class seat limits are capped at 25 due to the remote delivery process during the summer.  Each course is waitlisted for the summer.  Encourage students to take summer courses.

Webcams are on backorder.   The bookstore needs adjuncts and fulbrights to be informed about any possible. tech needs for remote teaching.

Moodle will not be offered after the Spring and everyone will need to transition to Canvas.

In case students have difficulty securing resources to facilitate online access please be informed that the Laptop Upcycle organization can donate laptops to students which they can keep.  It may be difficult to require students to secure certain technology for remote learning and this may not be coordinated easily even if students do obtain laptops and internet access.  The Provost mentioned that the Fall instruction could potentially take on a hybrid model.

Fall 2020

A working group has formed to strategize about returning to school in the fall.  They have identified 21 different scenarios to be considered as viable options for instruction for the faculty based on the specific needs and requirements of their courses.  There is a need to determine how to improve the online delivery of courses.   There must be an emphasis on low-cost or no-cot IT or technology if students will be required to use them for courses.  Faculty expressed concern that there is no AFT representation on the working group.  There is concern that this absence bears collective bargaining implications.

There will be course caps for online instruction in the Fall.

A hybrid model of in-person and remote teaching may need to be addressed. A decision will be made by mid-July.  The sooner the working group comes to a decision for the array of options that we will use this will be communicated to faculty. Some colleges have already agreed to opt for fully remote teaching in the Fall,  However their students have asked if they will be granted a discount in tuition if the institution adopts this model.

We need a contingency plan for the Fall in case we need to start on campus and then transition to remote teaching.  This can be included in  the language of syllabi if we do go this route.  All plans for the fall will be made within weeks and months ahead.

New Programs

DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice program and Data Science Management programs will be off to a start at the BS and MS levels this fall.

Reappointment and Tenure

There will be a new timeline for 4th and 5th year reappointment portfolios to be developed.  Promotion process timelines will need to be re-established but is on the agenda for AFT.

CARES ACT and Tuition Refund Issues

Be sure to inform students about the CARES act and especially eligibility requirements.  The act provides that half of the relief funds goes to students and the remaining half is allocated to the teaching institution.  Undocumented or international students are ineligible for this funding. The funds cannot be used to pay any balances at the school and it cannot be used to pay for summer or fall courses.  It can be used for rent, mortgage that is past due, or to purchase technology.  As soon as the structure and protocol for the CARES is availed this will be shared with students. Awards will be 1K to 2K and students but they need to provide proof of their need for the support.

If refunds can be offered as a credit this can be used in FAFSA reporting.

Faculty Development Fund

100K will be awarded for stipends or grants.  There can be discussion of rescheduling the awards and further decisions will be communicated with the FA President.

Budget and Enrollments

Chris Romano noted a 12% increase in enrollments for the summer.  Until the College has a handle on what actual enrollment will be in the Fall it is unclear as to how the budget can be used to fund certain programs or faculty funding support.  Residence halls and auxiliary income cannot be factored into the budget.

OER taskforce

Be mindful of creating assignments or course materials requirements that require students to spend.  Consider low or no-cost options for software.

Materials are being offered for free but will not be continued indefinitely so this is the time to consider what needs to be done for students for the Fall based on course requirement and certain needs.

The Mahwah Public Library can be used as a resource for students and further information about how they can access these resources will be made available soon.

Concerns about International Students

Any students with concerns about immigration or visas must meet with Rajesh Adhikari. The FA budget was donated to the WE Care program.Students will not be asked to leave campus but there is a low cost fee that students must pay for room and board.  Some students may need assistance and if so We Care donations can be used to support them. There is concern for Nepalese students’ ability to travel since the Nepal Border was closed and scheduled to open May 1 but moved to May 7.  Many students from Nepal worried that if they return home they will not be able to return.  Students that can get on campus jobs normally receive free housing for the summer. The dean of Students offered a 50% rate for summer for international students May 9th – July 1.  The Provost stated that she is trying to find ways to care for students in a balanced manner and that We Care donations will be honored when students request assistance.  Will be careful about decisions made.  

Faculty Questions and Concerns raised during the meeting:

Can the balance for room costs be collected later or can students have reduced room charges?

How can students access refunds for room and board and parking?

What about use of funds in reserve?  

What about bringing students on campus that require in-person instruction?

Categories: FA meeting agenda archive 2020, FA RCNJ Minutes 2020, FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES, Faculty Assembly Minutes 2020