January 27, 2019Faculty Assembly Executive Council | Minutes12/12/18

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Faculty Assembly

 1.  Faculty Assembly Minutes Approved

 2.  FA President’s Report

• Exam Make-up day is Sunday December 23rd which presents a calendar crunch with Christmas and winter break.
• There is a possibility of starting the academic year earlier.  This would require adjustment to the AFT contract to start last week in August and to end the academic year earlier in June. The AFT will work with Provost’s office to determine the possibilities.
• The New Jersey state legislature’s 120 credit cap is non-applicable to RCNJ and does not impact the College’s credit-hour system.  Public liberal arts colleges are exempt.
• Consequently,  RCNJ avoids having to redesign its programs in a very short period of time. The College’s consideration of a hybrid ¾ credit hour model in the future is independent of the pressure of the legislation.
• The faculty handbook will be revising the by human resources.  RCNJ is the only New Jersey college with separate human resources and employee relations departments.  The function of these offices will be consolidated under human resources.
• Starting January 15, 2019 Nicole Morgan Agard will primarily and solely serve as RCNJ’s  Chief Diversity Officer.
• One and two credit courses are not rigorous.  They require assessment and revision. Students  (namely transfer students) take up to 16 credits in in order to meet the 128 credit hour requirement.  
• Every other meeting for Faculty Assembly will be in the Pavillon

3.  College President’s Report

• President Mercer is traveling to Trenton along with the presidents of other New Jersey public colleges to meet with the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education. They will work on a strategic plan for Higher Education.  RCNJ’s appropriations are lowest per capita than any other public liberal arts college. The challenge for RCNJ resides in how the College manages to get things into a budget that is flatlining. Some broad themes of the new strategic plan include: Workplace training and reducing tuition.   We will also examine the possibilities for the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education’s design of a funding formula.
• RCNJ receive 2k less per student than TCNJ.  The only schools receiving less per capita are Montclair State University and Stockton University.
• RCNJ had received more admissions applications than in any other  time in the College’s history. The application rate is up by 5%.
• The College’s graduate programs doing well with 600 graduate students on campus
• The Learning Commons will shift to Linden Hall which is being reconfigured to serve as swing space for the library’s collections.  The Library facility will be completely demolished before it is reconstructed. The project is on budget at 42 million dollars and on time with drawings and specifications.  It is likely to completed based on the established timeline.
• Patrick O’Connor, RCNJ’s Government Relations Officer,  attended a briefing given by the Director of New Jersey Transit.  The Director suggested that he will try to help devise a plan for developing public transportation options for access to RCNJ.  Pat O’Connor will work with New Jersey Transit to hopefully implement a plan in two to three months.
• There is nothing to preventing RCNJ from  offering Associates degrees. This comprises the primary initiative taken up by which are cannibalizing some two year colleges.  

4.  Provost’s Report

• Introduction of the Provost’s Special Assistant, Diane Couzens
• The Provost invites faculty to contribute to his discussion board   
• During a speech the Provost suggested that RCNJ needs to be innovative as success  is defined by defined by increasing impact, providing more opportunities and student success. The Provost proposed three cornerstones:
  • Curricular Innovation characterized by signature graduate programs that feature Data Science,  RCNJ online [an online course offerings that are not in competition with existing programs], and Programmatic reviews that entail self-studies.  
  • International Orientation:  Attracting new students and expand RCNJ activities abroad.  An innovation taskforce will be established to address this.
  • Scholarly Excellence:  Enlarging and supporting faculty-student research

5.  Voting Item: GECCo (Experiential Component)

• Vote Results: [Abstain = 5  No= 1 Yes = 90]
• The Language of the Voting Item:: The Experiential Component in the General Education Program will be moved from a Category to an Objective that states: Participate in an engaged, experiential activity that connects the course to real world settings.
• Issue with New General Education program relative to the experiential component. All objectives overlap with experiential objectives and  ⅔ do not encompass the experiential component at all. The experiential should be an objective and listed as a category with other categories.  The proposed solution is to make the experiential component an objective.
• Gecco will devise a manual and have standing committees like ARC
• The ambiguity of the language “Experiential” and “engaged” ambiguity will be addressed to determine what the metrics and qualifiers for these terms.  There needs to be clarity on how ”engaged” is operationalized.

6.  Middle States Report (Stephanie Sarabia)

• The Middle States self study Oct 15th first draft were submitted by the working groups.  
• During December 2018 the steering committee reviewed the chapters and provided feedback.  The process was advised after the committee attended the Middle States conference.  The report will be published on the self study website. Google groups will be used to enable feedback on the report
• The Middle States working group co-chairs are seeking to establish Middle states office hours  to be available to discuss the chapters of the report.
• David Nast and Stephanie Arabia are taking suggestions on the process

7.  Report: Student Athletes (Dr. Ben Fine)

• Student Athletes/Faculty:  Ben Fine is the faculty member contact that serves to bridge gaps between student athletes and their classroom performance by keeping coaches informed of and student athletes’ progress.  Dr. Fine reports to Chris Romano about these relations. He affirmed that student athletes should not be afforded an unfair advantage in their courses.

8.  FA Q & A

• How can RCNJ facilitate an International Orientation and more more study abroad?
  • The Innovation Taskforce can determine how can we accomplish this to support travel funds. Ramapo Online would increase revenues to fund study abroad and academic affairs needs.
• Concern expressed about the language of the OSS statement that is circulated among faculty and students.   It indicates that students must meet with OSS advisor at the end of the first week but does does not specify anything about meeting with the instructors to discuss OSS accommodations.
• Concerns expressed about expectations for service and faculty scholarship.  Faculty that are and wish to produce scholarship cannot be engaged in the level of service that we are currently expected to maintain.

9.  Information Items

Chief Diversity Officer (Nicole Morgan Agard)

• Communications Meeting Overview
• Change at the College Since the EDIC ‘s Establishment
• Drafting a College Wide Diversity Plan
• Creation of an anonymous Online Bias reporting system
• Diversity Committee + Bias Response Team
• Diversity Convocation Feb 13 2019 John Quinones from ABC “What Would You Do” will be in attendance
• Call for Search Advocates to sit on search committees – receives training. Not a voting member on a committee

SGA President (Stephan Lally): Food Pantry and Student Relief Fund (SRF)

• Tiffany Miniweather and Stefan Lally: We Care Program  [MSW internship program] Help with non-Tuition related expenses
• Given out over $2500 for student expenses
• CCSE, CSI,EDIC  -good academic + financial standing, in need, appropriate behavior
• Homelessness, books.
• Student Relief Fund https://www.ramapo.edu/give/ To donate to the Student Relief Fund, scroll down to “Other,” and please write in “Student Relief Fund” in the text box for Other Gift Designation.)

Library Update

• No access to phone from 7th to 18th of January
• Closed Jan 2nd to 21st

Fair Trade (Neriko Doerr)

Visit https://www.ramapo.edu/fair-trade/ for more information

• Adjunct Professor Service Awards – 3:00pm AFT (Alumni Lounges):
  • All members of the College Community are invited to stay for the  Adjunct Professor
  • Service Awards at the beginning of the AFT meeting.

Faculty Assembly Adjourned 3 pm

 

Categories: FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES, Uncategorized

---

December 10, 2018Faculty Assembly Executive Council | Minutes 10/31/18

DRAFT

Ramapo College of New Jersey
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Faculty Assembly

---

1.  Faculty Assembly Minutes Approved

2.  FA President

Snow Day

Snow day has been changed to a Sunday December 23, 2018. Since make-up classes are on a Sunday shuttle-bus hours need to be expanded as shuttle bus service currently does not begin until 1pm on Sundays.

Paper Evaluations as the Default

It is premature to switch to electronic evaluations for the Spring 2019 semester as response rates are low. There needs to be an increase in the the online response rate to be statistically significant and useful for faculty.  Paper evaluations will remain the default for this semester. However, Faculty may elect to can elect to have online course evaluations. Once the roll-out of online course evaluations among tenured faculty evidences significant and reliable increase in response rates then we can switch to online. Additionally procedures for evaluating faculty must be negotiated with the AFT.

The New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Visit to RCNJ

Zakiya Smith Ellis NJ Secretary of Higher Education visited RCNJ.  During Secretary Ellis’ visit President Mercer requested that more funds and additional resources be allocated to RCNJ.  The Secretary was also asked to assist with – acquiring new Board of Trustees members.  RCNJ is scheduled to replace six BoT members.  Trustees are appointed to a 6-year term and may be reappointed to a second 6-year term. At present, we have five trustees awaiting reappointment to their second term, and one trustee who has served his two terms and is up for replacement.  

Promotion and Tenure

FAEC requested that President Mercer release the dates for promotion and tenure earlier.  He has agreed to do this.

Sabbaticals

A process is currently being developed to ensure that faculty are able to take sabbaticals when they are up for them.

3.  RCNJ PRESIDENT’s REPORT

Redistribution of Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance Resources

Chief Equity and Diversity Officer, Nicole Morgan Agard distributed an e-mail to the RCNJ community which explained the redistribution and increase of resources toward the Enhancement of Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance.

Library Task Force Meetings

On October 30th the Library Learning Commons Cabinet met for the first time. A meeting will be scheduled for the Library Renovation Task force.  The ribbon cutting for the Library Learning Commons is scheduled for for August 2021. Any concerns about the Library Renovation Task Force can be directed to Roark Atkinson.

Dissolution of the Diversity Action Committee (DAC)

Although DAC no longer exists Nicole Morgan Agard seeks to convene an advisory council comprising faculty, students, and staff.  President Mercer concurred with faculty members’ sentiments that the DAC website needs to be updated or deactivated to reflect the fact that DAC is no longer a functioning committee at RCNJ.

New Strategic Plan for Higher Education

After meeting with The New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, Zakiya Smith Ellis, the president report that a new strategic plan for higher education will address the lack of a funding formula.  Smith-Ellis suggested that a new funding formula proposal will be at the base of the new strategic plan. The president affirmed that the budgetary process is akin to austerity measures marked by benign neglect during the Christie administration as there were no cuts or increases to the budget.  

RCNJ Budget

President Mercer confirmed that the RCNJ budget will not see any increases. In response to a faculty member’s question President Mercer stated that this is an austerity measure due to inflation.  President Mercer explained that it receives a lower amount of funds that The College of New Jersey and that this has had negative ramifications on the college. The president is meeting with local stakeholders on a weekly basis to address the funding challenges at the college.

Padovano Commons [PC]

The President welcomes for use of PC and notes the need for a booking plan for use of the space.  He suggested that revisiting the idea can be a possibility so that faculty may be able to make use of the PD during this time and proposed that shorter classes may help furnish the time for a common hour.

4.  RCNJ PROVOST’s REPORT

Student-faculty Relations

The Provost thanked the faculty for their dedication and explained that dedication to students’ success is reflected through the nature of interaction among faculty and students inside and outside the classroom.  He suggests that and “open college meeting” is a selling point for RCNJ as it represents faculty dedication to students’ educational experience.

Course Evaluations

The Provost seeks a complete switch to online course evaluations in the near future.  He suggests that a best practices examination of the faculty exhibiting high response rates for online course evaluations be prioritized.  He welcomed input from faculty that enjoy high response rates for online course evaluations. He espoused the advantages of online evaluations to include: no paperwork processing; the immediate availability; and features within the software that enable faculty to monitor course evaluation responses in real-time.  

Faculty Record-keeping for Promotion & Tenure Processes

Employee Relations wants to access to tenure and promotion documents via an electronic/online interface. Spool is the software currently used within RCNJ for electronic record-keeping. The Provost explains that document for P&T processes can be submitted up until the deadline and once the deadline has been reached the uploading period will end but the P&T committee would be able to access the candidates’ records.  He suggest that the contents of binders be scanned and uploaded to the Spool system by each program and unit. He also explained that online storage to such records facilitates ease of access to faculty materials for Middle States review.

Textbook Costs and Open Education Resources

Faculty encouraged use open education resources the cost of textbooks can be exorbitant and cause burdens to students and their parents.  The provost stated that the, “…cost for textbooks have grown four times faster that the rate of inflation since the last ten years.” A survey will be disseminated among faculty to assess how much students are paying for course textbooks.

Padovano Commons

The Provost will have lunch hours in Padovano Commons and welcomes all to have lunch with him to discuss any matters of interest of concern at RCNJ. The Provost made known that he is open to ideas and exchange.

Library Learning Commons

The Library Learning commons is on schedule and several of its resources will be relocated to Linden Hall over the winter break.  Items can be retrieved from storage if interlibrary loan is not a viable option.

5.  FA VOTING ITEM: Student Course Survey Revision Task Force

FA voted in favor of the revised instrument.  The motion passed with the following results:

YES: 71% [58 respondents]   

NO: 16%  [13 respondents]  

ABSTAIN: 13% [10 respondents]

TOTAL VOTES: 81

The revised evaluation instrument omits questions about RCNJ’s pillars, faculty availability, and student interests

• The task force was not charged with determining the validity of the instrument
• Biases are inherent in evaluation for various reasons and therefor they must be interpreted with caution 
• A Multi-method approach to evaluation is best

Teaching Effectiveness is assessed according to the following

1. Self-Evaluation
2. Review of Course Materials
3. Peer Evaluation of teaching
4. Dean Evaluation of teaching
5. Data from student rating

• DRAFT REPORT: Student Course Survey Rev. Task Force
• Sample Revised Survey

6.  INFORMATION ITEMS

Padovano Commons (Jim Morley)

Jim Morley discussed Anthony Padovano’s contributions to the RCNJ community during his time as a faculty member, as well as the value of the Padovano Commons to the faculty, staff, and students.  Padovano commons is open for faculty and staff use. It should be used for collegial activities including sharing research and projects; faculty and staff events; socialization and lunch gatherings

Information about The Padovano Commons is available via the following link: https://www.ramapo.edu/conferences/padovano-commons/

Counseling Services (Maya Poran)

The Counseling Center has scaled back its services and the ‘step-model’ of care is not offered to all students.  Instead a triage is performed and extensive care is limited. Request for approval for funding to secure additional staff including paid interns and case managers for counseling services at RCNJ.  At present counseling services does not utilize or employ RCNJ’s trained student-counselors for clinical practice. Therefore funding is needed to acquire additional staff.

Faculty Appreciation (Robert Trupiano, Campus Bookstore)

The Campus Bookstore provided complimentary cookies to demonstration faculty appreciation.  Faculty textbook orders can be made using the online form or the standard form. Rollover requests for text adoptions can be forwarded to Robert Trupiano via:  0396txt@fheg.follett.com

Faculty Assembly Adjourned at 3 pm

Categories: FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES

---

December 5, 2018Faculty Assembly Executive Council | Minutes | 11/14/18

FAEC Minutes 11/14/2018

Faculty Assembly Executive Council [FAEC] Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2018  | Location: A218  | Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Attendees: Tae Kwak, Donna Flynn, Mark Skowronski, Sam Mustafa, Cristina Perez, Hugh Sheehy, Renata Gangemi, Christina Connor

Secretary: Nakia Matthias

Guests:  SGA Liaison, Philip Buechel and Provost Becker

___________________________________________________________________________

1. FAEC Minutes Approved

2. SGA Liaison, Philip Buechel

Buechel asked questions about the functions, roles and goals of the FAEC.

3. FA Morale  Fund

The FAEC Morale Fund is the operating Budget for FA.  It may be used fo retirement events, service awards, and any faculty-related celebratory events.  FA received $2000 from Ramapo Foundation. Coffee service costs $205. The FA Morale Fund budget has been cut to $1500 for next year. The FA was able to eliminate paper ballots as there has only been one within the last two years.

FAEC had deliberately spent less of our funds in order to help seed SGA’s Student Emergency Relief Fund (SERF) for SGA.  We did this by eliminating cookies and snacks (ordering just coffee and tea) as well as forgoing one beverage service. Tamka Quick inquired about how much FAEC is willing to donate to SERF.  At the end of AY 2016-17 and 2017-18, FA donated about $600 each to SERF. We were hoping to make a last donation of about $1000 at the end of this year.

The RCNJ SERF fund arose through a larger movement in New Jersey State. Students Government Associations in other colleges established agreements with food services so that skipped meals could be donated to other students in need.   This is not possible through the RCNJ meal plans provided by Sodexo, as the food service provider does conduct a diaggreate of actual versus. used meal plans.  Furthermore these has been no cooperation between RCNJ and Sodexo for meal skipping and donation.

4. General Education Curriculum Committee (GECCo)

GECCo will be modeled after ARC and create a handbook.  The FAEC President is talking with Sarah Carberry and Michael Unger about the creation of a new committee. It must be determined whether there is another FA endorsement to revert to the GECCO’s original (more expansive) charge.  Sarah and Michael will be asked if they would like to address this during the next FA meeting.

5. Shared Governance at RCNJ

6. Provost’s Council

The Provost’s Council has not met this year and will only convene when there is a voting Item.  The Provost’s Council makes changes to policies whereby FA is afforded 30 days to discuss the proposed changes and provide input.  If the FA makes no recommendations the policy proposal is implemented. This was problematic in the past as policy proposals and changes were made during  the summer months when the FA does not assemble.

7. Innovation Task Force

The new task force requires more participants that are knowledgeable of innovation in higher education and institutional change.  Each unit should have three to five representatives on the task force.

8. President’s Advisory Council [PAC]

PAC has not met in nearly a calendar year.  It is open to faculty and staff and functions as a way to communicate between the President’s Cabinet and faculty.

9. Employee Relations and Chief Diversity Officer Restructuring

Nicole Morgan Agard has been hired to replace the Director of Employee Relations. Morgan-Agard started in August 2016 and became Chief Diversity Officer (CDO).  This raised concerns about conflicts of interest from the Minority Faculty and Staff Association. The Director of Employee Relations position will be dissolved and Morgan-Agard will only function and CDO. the MFSA expressed concerns about  Morgan-Agard assuming the role of Chief Diversity Officer.

RCNJ has a separate Employee Relations (ER) and Human Resources (HR) departments although this is not typical in most New Jersey public colleges and universities.  According to our union (AFT), RCNJ has filed relatively fewer formal grievances than other colleges in NJ precisely because of our peculiar structure. The change in structure will negatively impact AFT on campus, as the point-person for the AFT will no longer be the Director of Employee Relations.  This places the AFT at a strategic disadvantage. Mercer does not want to hire a new Director of Employee Relations however.

The following is a copy of the letter from AFT President Martha Ecker to College President Mercer and his response:

November 9, 2018 … Dear President Mercer, We have come to understand that the Office of Employee Relations is to be disbanded and its functions to become part of Human Resources. As President, it is your managerial prerogative to structure the administrative function and organization of the college; however we believe that this change will not be beneficial to the college as a whole. Since 2009, the Office of Employee Relations has reported directly to the Office of the Provost rather than the Vice President for Administration and Finance. The collaborative relationship enjoyed by the AFT and Employee Relations has produced relatively harmonious labor relations that has resulted in significantly fewer issues leading to grievances and related filings. Even during the time when the faculty and professional staff were working without a contract, the collaborative nature of the working relationship between the AFT and Employee Relations benefited not only the faculty and professional staff, it benefited the students and the administration as well. When we searched for a Director of Employee Relations, Nicole Morgan Agard’s background and experience fit the needs of the position. The search for an Assistant Vice President of Human Resources did not include the duties of the Director of Employee Relations in the job description. We see the Office of Employee Relations as an indispensable entity uniquely tasked with the effective implementation of the union contract. The office has served an important role to the administration, faculty and professional staff in ensuring adequate adherence to the union contract and effective management of disputes. No rationale has been provided by your office for its elimination beyond the need to meet other administrative initiatives. This represents a concerning disregard for the needs of faculty and professional staff. We respectfully ask you to reconsider your decision in the best interest of students, faculty, professional staff and the college.   Sincerely, Martha Ecker President

 

November 13, 2018 … Dear Professor Ecker: Thank you for your letter of 9 November 2018. I agree that the functions of the Office of Employee Relations are indispensable and responsibility will be allocated within the Office of Human Resources to ensure that those functions will continue to be carried out effectively under the new arrangement. I have spoken with Virginia Galdieri and she is committed to maintaining the excellent relationship with the AFT and to meeting the needs of faculty and professional staff. I look forward to further discussions on how best to prepare a smooth transition in the few weeks remaining before the implementation date of January 1, 2019. Sincerely, Peter P. Mercer, J.D., Ph.D. President

10. Vice Provost

The Vice Provost position remains unfilled.  The position of Interim Vice provost had been offered to Michael Unger, but he is currently filling the Director of Assessment Position.  There is alco a vacancy for the Deputy Provost for Graduate Programs position. Provost Becker believes that the Deputy Provost for Graduate Programs may be unnecessary.   

11. AFT OPRA Request for Presidential Cabinet Salary Disclosure

The RCNJ AFT has filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request regarding the salaries of the RCNJ President’s cabinet members.  Raises were granted for the President’s cabinet members. The salary information has been released by the AFT.

12. Provost Becker and Curricular Innovation

Ramapo Online

Provost Becker wants to expand online classes, including graduate-level courses to increase RCNJ revenues.  He proposes a Ramapo Online initiative to grow programs, their revenues, as well as public-private partnerships in support of existing and new programs. Becker mentioned that at present the MBA program has 30 students and an online version of the program is needed.  He sees online expansion as a possibility for the forthcoming music and DNP programs.

Data Science

Becker seeks to initiate an interdisciplinary Data Analytics program as he sees the demand for data science in the private and public sectors.  The program is in the early planning stages marked by discussions about its features and potential implementation. The Provost asserts that a Data Analytics program would incorporate RCNJ’s core courses in business analytics, coding and statistics,  Becker envisions that the data analytics program will serve the RCNJ strategic plan and suggests that it could be a signature program at the graduate and undergraduate levels. His goal is to position RCNJ as the hub for Data Science in the region with national and international reach.

Program Reviews

Provost Becker recommends that program reviews be conducted as part of the planning for curricular innovation. The process involves program-level assessment of the work that units do to include self-evaluation, external evaluation, and the responsive development of a 5 to 7 year plan based on the feedback.   The Provost will provide guidelines for program reviews, secure external evaluators, and work through deans for scheduling them.

Meeting Adjourned 12:00 pm

 

Categories: FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES, FAEC MEETING MINUTES 2018, Uncategorized

---

December 5, 2018Faculty Assembly Executive Council | Minutes | 10/24/18

FAEC Minutes 10/24/2018

Faculty Assembly Executive Council [FAEC] Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2018  | Location: A218  | Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Attendees: Tae Kwak, Donna Flynn, Kathy Zeno, Sam Mustafa, Christina Connor, Cristina Perez, Hugh Sheehy, Renata Gangemi

Secretary: Sam Mustafa, acting

Guests:  Michael Unger, Thalia Holst

_____________________________________________________________________

1. GE Governance Group

Discussion of confusion regarding whether or not GEIT was disbanded, what the jurisdiction of GECCO is, and related issues. Is there a new “Governance Group” and whom does/will it comprise? Christina Perez indicated that she and Mike Unger are formulating a “To Do List” to sort out these issues. Tae Kwak expressed a desire to have such a group convened by January 2019.

Discussion of confusion caused by discrepancies in the various Gen-Ed documents.

Discussion of future membership of the governance group.

Michael Unger joined the discussion at 10:50. Discussion of the possibility of expanding GECCO’s charge, rather than creating a new group. Discussion of the possibility of dissolving GECCO and replacing it with a new group.

 2. Upcoming Faculty Assembly

Discussion of issues before the F.A. at its coming meeting.

 3.  Program Overlap and Structure

Thalia Holst joined at 11:50. Discussion of student perception of “animosity between programs” that results in student discomfort. Specific reference was made to Environmental Studies / Environmental Science vis-a-vis TAS/SSHS. SGA suggests some sort of meeting or “town hall” to reconcile the faculty in question.  Further discussion on the proper venue for such a discussion.

Meeting Adjourned at 12pm

Categories: FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES, FAEC MEETING MINUTES 2018

---

October 28, 2018Minutes Faculty Assembly 9/5/18

Ramapo College of New Jersey
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Faculty Assembly

 

I.  FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES APPROVED

II.  INTRODUCTIONS

New Faculty

• Dr. Tiffany Chiu (ASB)
• Lawrence Macia (CA)
• Carrie Miller (TAS)
• Dr. Kimberly Welch (HGS)

III.  INTRODUCTION OF FAEC MEMBERS

• Tae Kwak, President
• Nakia Matthias, Secretary
• Donna Flynn (TAS) Councilor-at-Large
• Sam Mustafa (HGS) Councilor-at-Large
• Eva Ogens (SSHS), Unit Representative, Vice President
• Kathy Zeno (ASB), Unit Representative
• Renata Gangemi (CA), Unit Representative
• Christina Connor (Library), Unit Representative
• Hugh Sheehy (HGS), Unit Representative
• Cristina Perez (TAS), Unit Representative

IV.  REMARKS FROM THE FAEC PRESIDENT

Student Course Evaluations

Defaulting to paper evaluations is a priority for faculty until the online response rate for electronic evaluations evidences an incentive for deferring to electronic evaluations as the default. Faculty should provide feedback for the evaluation instrument that will be rolled out in the Spring 19 semester and this input should be considered by Provost Becker in the adoption of any changes.

V.  COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Transforming the RCNJ 128 Credit System to a 120 Credit System

There is uncertainty as to whether RCNJ will adopt a 120 credit system in keeping with recent legislation that requires New Jersey four-year public colleges and universities award Baccalaureate degrees to students’ upon the completion of 120 credits.  The bill was signed into law in August 2018. Links to the bill and subsequent law are below:

• Bill A-1265:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S1500/1265_I1.HTM
• Law A-3636:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A4000/3634_I1.HTM

The law which caps the required number of credits for graduation at 120 is was in part enacted to help reduce the cost of higher education for students that seek to earn Baccalaureate degrees.  As RCNJ students pay a flat rate for the cost of education the 128 credit hour system does not increase the cost of attendance.

RCNJ is one of three public Liberal Arts institutions in New Jersey that have drafted a request for exemption from this law given that the provisions specified in the  law should not impact liberal arts institutions.

New Jersey State Secretary of Higher Education

Dr. Zakiya Ellis Smith is the New Jersey’s new Secretary of Higher Education.  She was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy’s office in 2018.  The Secretary is drafting a new strategic plan for higher education.

RCNJ’s Recruitment of New Students from Two-Year Colleges

President Mercer is visiting New Jersey’s two-year colleges to develop articulation agreements with them.  Based on previous articulation agreements and the presence of RCNJ staff within these institutions to assist the recruiting and transfer process these colleges have increased the number of students that they send to RCNJ over the years. The two other public liberal arts higher education institutions in New Jersey are offer open admission.

George Potter Library Learning Commons Renovations

Due to the fact that the water table was found to be higher on one side of the library the configuration of the Learning Commons building may need to change.

VI.  PROVOST’S REPORT

Provost Becker’s introductory speech to the Faculty Assembly noted his gratefulness for the opportunity to work together with the RCNJ community to progress its mission. He addressed the following:

• The need to value faculty and students
• Opportunities to increase resources for faculty
• Challenges to higher education
• Maintaining maximum transparency in decision-making and resource allocation
• Provost Office hour events
• The Provost’s blog and online discussion board
• Making a difference at acting in the best interest of RCNJ
• A vision to create a community where everyone will thrive

The Provost concluded his speech with the words, “ This could be heaven for everyone.”

See the transcript of Provost Becker’s Speech here:  Provost Becker’s Speech FA September 5, 2018

VII.  DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY’S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REPORT

The RCNJ Director of Public Safety, Vincent Markowski informed the Faculty Assembly that the full RCNJ Emergency Preparedness Plan is protected by Homeland Security and therefore cannot be made public.  He indicated that the public version of the plan will be made available via the RCNJ website.

The following link provides information about RCNJ’s Procedure for encountering violent behavior on campus:

https://web.ramapo.edu/emergency/procedures/threatening-violent-behavior/

He also suggested that faculty and students view a series of videos that are available online through the Emergency Preparedness web pages.

The videos for faculty and students illustrate the procedures that should be followed in the event that there are “shots fired” on the RCNJ campus.  Additional videos examine “flashpoints” based on signs that may be indicators of violent behavior.

The series of videos can be accessed via the following link: https://web.ramapo.edu/emergency/videos/

Director Markowski indicated that campus security officers has received active shooter training with the Mahwah Police Department and that the Mahwah police are equipped with “Go Bags” which allow them to assist the campus if an emergency situation involving an active shooter were to occur.

He informed the Faculty Assembly that arrangements can be made for active shooter training presentations during class time.   Faculty and staff are to receive a laminated card featuring the safety plans and procedures for an active shooter situation. A PDF version of this card will also be circulated via e-mail.

The Director instructed faculty to report any security related concerning student and staff behavior directly to security personnel, as well as the Behavioral Intervention Team.

He suggested that it is imperative to report any incidents with members of the student, staff or faculty body in order to maintain a record of such interactions for a preventative versus reactive approach to addressing any potential violent behavior.  

The Director confirmed that “AC109 locks” have been installed in several campus doors as a security measure.  He added that faculty and staff should lock their doors whether they are in the office or not, and arrange their desks within their office so that their backs do not face their office door.

He suggested that all faculty, staff, and students download the LiveSafe Application to their phones in order to be able to communicate with Campus Security in the event of an active shooter emergency.  

The LiveSafe application website can be accessed via the following link: https://www.livesafemobile.com/

Faculty and Staff that are involved with student groups through an advisory capacity must complete Campus Security Authority (CSA) reporting  to ensure that RCNJ is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act reporting guidelines.

Information on the Jeanne Cleary Act can be found via the following link: https://clerycenter.org/policy-resources/the-clery-act/

VIII.  MIDDLE STATES RE-ACCREDITATION REPORT

Stephanie Sarabia, Co-Chair of the Middles States Re-accreditation Self-Study Design Steering Committee informed the Faculty Assembly that the Middle States re-accreditation working groups’ initial reports are due mid-October.

By October 15th each working group must submit their findings which will then be compiled with evidence.

The Steering Committee Co-Chair informed the Faculty assembly that Middle States wants to know what role the faculty plays in RCNJ’s mission and strategic plan.  

Information about RCNJ’s Middle States Re-accreditation preparation can be found via the following links:

The Middle States Self-Study Progress Report

• https://www.ramapo.edu/pres-post/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/04/MSCHE-SELF-STUDY.pdf

The Middle States Self-Study Design

• https://www.ramapo.edu/president/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2018/03/Revision2-Ramapo-College-of-New-Jersey-Self-StudyDesign.pdf

IX.  ACADEMIC REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) REPORT

ARC Chair Jacqueline Braun introduced new members of the ARC committee:

• Stephen Larson (ASB)
• Terra Vandergaw (CA)
• Shirley Knight (Library)
• Stephen Rice (HGS)
• Yan Xu (TAS)
• Michelle Dunn [Registar/ex officio]
• Michelle Johnson (Center for Student Success)
• Michael Unger (HGS
• The deadline for ARC proposals is October 15, 2018

Coordination with ARC Unit Representatives is necessary to ensure that ARC submissions are adequate for each program and concentration.  This will help avoid any potential rejection of ARC proposals. New programs must be approved at various levels, including the state-level.

X.  GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM COMMITTEE [GECCo] REPORT

GECCo Chair, Sarah Carberry informed the Faculty Assembly that the New General Education Requirements began on September 5, 2018 and that the old Gen. Ed. will be closed.

GECCO is reviewing new Gen.Ed submissions and the deadline for new Gen Ed. proposal submissions is October 15, 2018.

All course syllabi must include Gen.Ed. objectives and a sample of an adequate representation of Gen. Ed. objectives can be found on the GECCo web page.

Any changes to current courses requires the completion of an ARC form.

If any course has fewer than fourteen students it will be deregistered from the current schedule of classes for the respective semester.  

Courses must be offered at least once per year to satisfy Gen.Ed. requirements.  This is not an official policy but is a policy that is enforced among deans.

Every unit should have a curriculum committee that includes former ARC representatives to ensure that syllabi forwarded to GECCo meets unit level requirements as well as ARC and GECCo requirements.

XI.  STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION REVISION TASK FORCE: INTERIM REPORT

Lysandra Perez-Strumolo, Task Force Chair  introduced the members of the task force:

• Lysandra Perez-Strumolo (SSHS), Chair
• AnneMarie Flatekval (TAS)
• Tae Kwak (SSHGH)
• Wilson Rose (ASB)
• Joel Wiessman (CA)

She discussed the role of the student course evaluation for the faculty tenure, promotion, and reappointment processes.  It was suggested that student course evaluations be contextualized in any parts of the tenure, promotion, and reappointment application that allows faculty to examine their teaching and students’ learning.

The Task Force chair explained that the qualitative questions featured in the student course evaluations must be addressed and revised, including double barreled open ended questions.

Some items on the course evaluations will be retained as is , however some will be revised.   Faculty input regarding the student course evaluation revision process can be registered through a qualtrics survey on each section of the evaluations.

XII.  CIVIC AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP MINOR

A Civic and Community Leadership Minor is proposed to begin in Fall 2019

Kristin Kenneavy and Jeremy Teigen have designed the proposal for the course and requesting support from anyone that would like to volunteer their course for an elective.

• The course seeks to to populate two electives
• Would like classes from every unit
• Would like to support existing initiatives and programs

The Criteria for course inclusion among the minor’s course offerings are:

• Course must be offered once per year
• Courses must include substantive civic and community engagement content
• Course could involve service learning
• Courses must be willing to include one student learning outcome (SLO) [Continued exposure to methods of understanding and engaging in civic and community engagement

XIII.  FAIR TRADE PROJECT

Neriko Doerr discussed her project to bring Fair Trade to RCNJ.  The goal of the project is to share knowledge about fair trade and what it means to support fair trade.

The project aims to feature the work of student researchers and it can connect to the proposed Civic and Community Leadership Minor.  Any request for information or can be directed to Neriko Doerr via ndoerr@ramapo.edu

 

Categories: FACULTY ASSEMBLY MINUTES

---