FA Minutes 10/09/24

Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2024
1:00 pm
Alumni Lounges (SC 156-8)

Faculty Assembly is open to a general college audience, including administrators, but only FA members may vote. Faculty, including library faculty and all full-time employees contractually obligated to teach are FA members as defined by our bylaws.

*Meeting minutes taken by Matthew Jobrack, FA Secretary.

Agenda:

Approval of Minutes (9/11/2024)

Reports:

Faculty Assembly President’s Report:

• Family Day/Homecoming (10/17-10/21): Please contribute outstanding undergraduate research/creative work for display in LLC by Wednesday (10/16). Drop off posters at your Unit Office.
• Faculty Handbook Revision Committee: Ken McMurdy (FAEC), Jason Hecht (AFT), Lysandra Perez-Strumolo (MFSA), Jenn Hicks McGowan (ER) and Joyce Shim (Provost’s Office). Brief remarks given by Roark Atkinson, candidate for remaining At-Large FA Representative position.
• Faculty Scholarship Symposium Series: First symposium to be held from 10:30-12:00 on October 30 in Pavilion. Undergraduate Research: Success Stories and Lessons Learned.
• Faculty/Staff BYOB Potluck Social: Today (10/9) from 4:30-7:00 in Padovano Commons.
• Phil Anderson Memorial: Tuesday, October 15, 1pm, in the Pavilion.
• Gen Ed Revision: FA, Provost and GECCo collaborating on process. GECCo will lead the effort with a target of full implementation in Fall 2027. Rationale: respond to CAP, establish a 10-year revision cycle.

College President’s Report:

• Great start to the semester. Words of gratitude to faculty, TLC and students.
• Hosted NJ State Senator Joe Cryan. Showed renovations in E-wing for Accelerated Nursing program. Discussed grants Ramapo has received.
• Received legislative add-ons for Nursing ($2.5 million).
• Uptick in KPI’s: size, selectivity, social mobility, retention rate, student well-being
• 700 students at Open House last Sunday (100 more than previous year).
• 9 students competing for Fulbright Scholarship. Recognized outstanding work of Rebecca Root (HGS), Fellowships and Scholarships Director.
• Aiming for national distinction as a public liberal arts college.
• Fiscal Health: Ramapo deemed minimal fiscal risk by the state, S & P affirmed A rating based on AY 2022-23. Waiting on this year’s assessment.
• Four Priorities: grow strategic partnerships, talent management (recruit, retain, employ, develop), enrollment (recruitment and retention), culture (dignity, respect)
• Univision will be here on 10/10 for live takeaways from students on VP Harris Town Hall
• Presidential Speaker Series: Tuesday, October 22, 1pm in H-Wing Auditorium. LTG (ret.) Mary Legere, former Senior Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Army, Managing Director for Accenture Global Defense. The Implications of Artificial Intelligence on Leadership and Democracy.
• State of the College address next Wednesday.

Provost’s Report:

• Expressed congratulations for various academic accomplishments.
• Commended ARC for implementation of the revised curriculum development process.
• International Education: Vice Provost Joyce Shim will oversee Office of Study Abroad and chair Committee for International Education. Searching for Director of Study Abroad. Service opportunity International Education Faculty Fellow. Details to follow.
• Research Committee: Standing committee will work to promote and support faculty research, scholarship and creative activity.
• Plan to convene consultation group on AI (not a formal task force).
• Goals for Gen Ed revision: standout/model program for public liberal arts colleges, graduating Ramapo students cite GE as having significant impact on their learning and growth.

Introductions:

• Jason Balsan, Director of Public Safety

Announcements:

• CAP Academic Structures TF (Emma Rainforth, TF Co-Chair)
  • Look for a survey later today, one-week deadline for completion.
  • Faculty invited to stay after FA for an open forum.
• Faculty Development Day (slides)
  (Michael Bitz, IDC Director)
• We Care Program Overview (slides)
  (Eddie Seavers, CSI ; Dylan Heffernan, We Care Program)
  • Includes Food Pantry (ASB 130), Student Relief Program, Laptop Upcycle Program, Professional Clothing Closet
  • Can contribute via one-time donation or through payroll deduction program

Presentations/Discussion Items:

• FA Bylaws Revisions: ARC, GECCo and WAC (slides, pre-draft)
  Ken McMurdy, FA President
• Revised Policy on Academic Freedom (Draft, slides)
  Leah Warner, John Gronbeck-Tedesco (Academic Policy Council)

Elections: (92 eligible voters)

• Faculty Handbook Revision Committee – FA Representative: Roark Atkinson elected by a vote of 65 Approve, 2 Do Not Approve, 1 Abstain
• FA Secretary: Matthew Jobrack elected by a vote of 68 Approve, 0 Do Not Approve, 0 Abstain.

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized