May 6, 2022FAEC MINUTES 04/20/22

FAEC MINUTES 04/20/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Bonnie Blake (Adjunct Councilor, CA), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:04am.

Minutes Approval: The 04/13/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

The FA President presented a brief report.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

New Business:

Anjali Patel and Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya: Spoke on proposed changes to the Roukema Center and concerns that SGA has regarding how these changes will impact international education, international students, study abroad, and Fulbrights. Discussion of support of international education as one of Ramapo’s pillars.

Rikki Abzug: Report on the last Board of Trustees meeting. Discussion of the financial health of the college.

Chris Romano: Report on admitted student deposits for incoming year. Deposits are up over last year on this date. Last Admitted Students Day is upcoming Sunday.

FAEC Guests: Anjali Patel (SGA President) and Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya (SGA Vice President); Rikki Abzug (BOT FA Rep.); Chris Romano (EMSA).

Meeting adjourned at 12:21 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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May 6, 2022FAEC MINUTES 04/13/22

FAEC MINUTES 04/13/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Bonnie Blake (Adjunct Councilor, CA), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:08am.

Minutes Approval: The 04/06/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

The FA President presented a short report.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

International Education: Discussion of changing policies or potentially changing policies in International Education. Strongly felt that International Education must be maintained as central to the college and integrated across the college as a whole. Equity must be emphasized in students’ access to study abroad.

Padavano Commons: Discussion of administrative resistance to Padavano Commons being returned as the only faculty lounge on campus. Due to the pandemic it was temporarily converted to general space.

Pilot courses [TFCDM]:

ITS – Discussion of administrative access to faculty email.

New Business:

EDIC concerns: Nicole Morgan-Agard and Rachel Sawyer – Discussion of the bias complaint response team, function and roles of faculty on the team. Discussion of what constitutes bias and what constitutes a complaint. There is an online complaint form, individuals can also send an email and that constitutes a complaint as well. The complaint does not need to be formally labeled as a complaint or request any action, but need only raise concerns that bias has occurred. Bias is constituted by works; discrimination is viewed more as actions. College response to bias can be limited due to freedom of speech; however, college offers a restorative justice option to all individuals involved who can voluntarily choose to participate.

HR concerns: Discussion of HR matters.

FAEC Guests: CDO Morgan-Agard & Rachel Sawyer (Associate Dir.)

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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April 13, 2022FA Minutes 04/06/2022

Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes 04/06/2022

Motion and seconded to bring the meeting to order at 1:02pm.

No objections to March 2nd FA minutes.

Moment of Silence in Memory of Asha Mehta

Reports

Faculty Assembly President’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters

College President’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters. Discussed a variety of positive recent events at the college.

Provost’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters. Discussed more recent events at the college highlighting student research.

Open forum: Questions/Comments

Maya raised the students are still recovering from the exhaustion of the pandemic. Students have raised concerns that they want more face-to-face interaction from administrative offices rather than online through email and websites.

New Business

Final Report of the Course Delivery Mode Task Force – presented by Stephanie Sarabia and Michael Bitz:

Four Sub-groups: literature review; other institutions; Ramapo College past data/reports; Ramapo needs assessment

Recommendation 1: The College should pilot the virtual synchronous delivery mode.

Recommendation 2: The College should pilot the virtual hybrid (aka “blended” combination of virtual synchronous and asynchronous course delivery mode).

The full report has been disseminated to faculty through email. At the next FA meeting, faculty will be voting on endorsement of the report.

Faculty Handbook Revisions Taskforce, Virginia Galdieri (AVP, HR) & Taskforce members

Lysandra presented the Task Force Report:

Presentation of the task force charge, data gathering procedures, sub-groupings, operation objectives, and highlights. Everyone is strongly encouraged to read the full document. Upcoming vote on endorsement.

Announcements

• 1. Provost Council Policy 300T, Prof. Ann Lepore: formerly known as “online courses” procedures manual. Video recording of classes – protecting faculty and students. Standard language has been created that can be placed into syllabi. Many additional matters. Open for public comment on on Provost Council’s website. Also up for vote to endorse.
• 2. Academic Review Committee, Prof. Stephen Rice: ARC is revising their procedure and forms. ARC would like feedback from faculty on the functioning of ARC. Discussion will be initiated in Unit Councils and then a survey will be distributed. ARC would like more work done at the convening group level before proposals reach ARC.
• 3. Request from EDIC for 1 FA representative to Bias Response, Education, and Prevention team.
• 4. FA Elections: 2022-2024 – Nomination for BOTH (2) FAEC At-large Councilors requested. At-Large positions are open to members in ASB, SSHS, TAS, CA, and Library who are tenured. One position is reserved for a member of the faculty who has complete 11 years at RCNJ. The second position is for a faculty who will be FAEC’s Adjunct representative

Motion and seconded to adjourn at 2:18 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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April 13, 2022FAEC MINUTES 04/06/22

FAEC MINUTES 04/06/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Bonnie Blake (Adjunct Councilor, CA), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:07am.

Minutes Approval: The 03/30/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Discussed the importance of faculty attending the Future Series. Strategic Posture Statement is upcoming.

Question regarding special payments and compensations other positions: Discussion of need for a database explaining what positions get what compensation – lack of transparency regarding director or add-on titles.

ITS: Access to emails – parameters are being created for when the administration can access a faculty member’s email.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

Discussion of sabbaticals.

Discussion of NTT Faculty (Non-Tenure Track Faculty) at the college. Discussion of NTT Faculty representation in FA. Are NTT Faculty covered by the Faculty Handbook?

Report on the Communications Meeting: Ed Shannon and Katie Cohen provided the report. Covered branding initiatives, see website. Report changes may be coming in regard to Banner.

New Business:

Interim Provost Gaulden: Bischoff and Thomases Awards were last week. Junior Faculty Dinners are recommencing once per semester, one occurred last week and was very successful.

Discussion of posting on poster boards in the hallways of the academic buildings.

Recent Admitted Student Day was a success despite poor weather and a transition of planned external events to indoor locations.

Discussion of restructuring with grants coming under Academic Affairs and the hope of greater relationships developed between faculty and grants office.

Interim Provost Gaulden’s vision of the function of NTTP at the college is not to replace tenure-track lines at the college. NTTP would be used to replace temp lines that can only exist for three years. Additionally, new programs could be started with NTTP with the understanding that the positions could be converted to tenure-track positions if the new program is successful. Additionally, NTTP are not required to conduct research. Therefore, the vision includes NTTP taking a larger leadership role in service thereby allowing tenure-faculty to lean more heavily into their research on balance.

FAEC Guests: Interim Provost Gaulden

Meeting adjourned at 12:28 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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April 13, 2022FAEC MINUTES 03/30/22

FAEC MINUTES 03/30/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:00am.

Minutes Approval: The 03/23/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Shared Governance Meeting: Discussion of the Shared Governance Meeting.

Communications Meetings are happening today.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

New Business:

Roukama Center and International Studies Major: Discussion of massive changes happening.

CRWT and Studies for Arts and Humanities: Discussion of massive changes happening.

Discussion regarding administrative procedure where a student/faculty disagreement occurs.

Discussion of the challenges presented by lack of college services in the evenings. Is there a possibility of staggering hours so that there is some coverage for services in the evenings? For example, IT assistance for events occurring in the evening? Relatedly, concerns were raised regarding the difficulty of organizing events because of the extent of the decentralization of organizational matters for planning and orchestrating events.

FAEC Guests: None

Meeting adjourned at 11:43 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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April 13, 2022FAEC MINUTES 03/23/22

FAEC MINUTES 03/23/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:13am.

Minutes Approval: The 03/09/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Transportation Survey: Survey is complete and executive summary is being compiled.

Results from Forum: Forum was well attended and many suggestions were put forward regarding creating community after the pandemic.

Course Caps: Leah Warner has prepared a document regarding best practices course caps for differing course delivery methods.

April FA’s: There will be a Faculty Forum on April 6 regarding the proposed Handbook revisions.

Transition planning: Discussion of transition of FAEC presidency and other FAEC positions. Naseem has created onboarding and workflow documents for the FAEC presidency.

FA now has two representatives for SMAAC: Kelly Dolak and Scott Frees.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

New Business:

Nicole Morgan Agard and Rachel Sawyer: Bias Exploratory Committee – 2019 David Oh was selected to be the FA representative to the committee. Findings of the Exploratory Committee resulted in a policy and a new permanent Bias Incident Response Team. Seeking a representative for the Bias Incident Response Team for a two year term. Team does not respond to individual incidents, but rather reviews aggregate data and seeks to inform programs and policies. There is a difference between a bias complaint and a discrimination complaint, handled through different offices, different mechanisms. Restorative justice conference offered if there is a bias incident.

Virginia Galdieri: Update on the Handbook revision process. A first draft of the handbook revisions will be presented in April and faculty will vote on whether to endorse. Thereafter, the draft will be distributed to AFT, legal, and the administration for review and changes may result. If any substantive changes result, then the changes will be brought back to the faculty in September for a revote on endorsement.

Katie Cohen: Attended the Alice Active Shooter training and recommended it. More trainings are scheduled.

FAEC Guests: Nicole Morgan Agard (CDO) & Rachel Sawyer (Associate Dir.); Virginia Galdieri (AVP- HR)

Meeting adjourned at 12:12 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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March 29, 2022FAEC MINUTES 03/09/22

FAEC MINUTES 03/09/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:08am.

Minutes Approval: The 03/02/22 minutes were approved.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Transportation Survey: Complete and analysis in progress.

Faculty Forum: Rebuilding Community after the Pandemic, March 9 at 1pm.

Reorganization: Discussion of reorganization of college administration announced March 4.

FA Bylaws: Discussion of FA Bylaws and the recent revisions. At the next FAEC meeting discussion needs to be had regarding revisions that need to be revisited in the Bylaws.

Standing Committees: Discussion of whether Standing Committees should report back to FAEC through attending meetings or through written reports.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

New Business:

IT Liaison Report: Presented by Thierry Rakotobe-Joel. Security rollout is still ongoing for two-factor authentication.

Donna raised concerns from Nursing that OSS does not provide testing support on holidays that classes still occur on. Discussion of different contracts between faculty and staff. Discussion of how to accommodate OSS students.

FAEC Guests: None

Meeting adjourned at 12:04 pm.

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March 11, 2022FA Minutes 03/02/2022 (Draft)

Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes

03/02/2022

Motion and seconded to bring the meeting to order at 1:03pm.

No objections to February 2nd FA minutes.

Reports

Faculty Assembly President’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters – policies under consideration at Provost’s Council, Transportation Survey results. April will be a busy month for FA due to coming reports and voting items.

College President’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters. Discussed excellent faculty care for students on quarantine. Has invited many exciting speakers to come participate in the Ramapo community. The President has been actively engaging with the larger New Jersey community highlighting Ramapo College and building bridges. Emphasized the importance of mentorship and nurturing student potential for prestigious grants, fellowships, and scholarships.

Provost’s Report: Summarized and updated state of matters. Discussed Provost’s Council matters and policies under consideration for redlining. Discussed student, faculty, and staff boosters and need for submission of documentation. There is no second option besides getting boosted or having an official exemption. Discussion of taskforce on course delivery modes. Discussion of Zoom bombing that occurred at a Gross Center event recently. Discussion of April 4 policy change regarding food and drink at large gatherings.

Open forum: Questions/Comments

Faculty raised concerns about lack of a common hour being unable to attend the State of the College Address. President Jebb agreed that the schedule and lack of a common hour are a challenge. Events such as the State of the College are being recorded for people to be able to participate asynchronously. President Jebb brought up the importance of wellness and mental health days.

New Business

ARC: Steve Rice – presented two new program proposals that ARC has approved.

• Minor Program in Data Science – 20 credits over 5 courses
• Minor Program in Statistics – 16 credits over 4 courses

GECCo: Sarah Carberry – announced positions are GECCo are becoming available, volunteers!

IDC: Michael Bitz introduced IDC member Deborah O’Connell who then covered Canvas increased functionality and designing courses with the mobile app in mind as students make significant use of the mobile app.

Announcements

1. Santamaria Laorden: Symposium on Diversity in Health Care and Human Services, April 7, 2022

Nicole Morgan Agard: matters will be brought to unit council for discussion

Naseem Choudhury: Faculty need to sign up for Commencement.

New FAEC Members for Fall 2022:

• ASB- Associate Prof. M. Sundararajan,
• SSHS- Associate Prof. J. McTighe
• TAS- Prof A. Kumar

Still FAEC openings for Fall 2022:

• Adjunct Councilor
• Councilor-at-Large under 11

Motion and seconded to adjourn at 2:08pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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March 11, 2022FAEC MINUTES 03/02/22

FAEC MINUTES 03/02/22

Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Bonnie Blake (Adjunct Councilor, CA), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Ken McMurdy (TAS), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotobe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (Vice President, HGS), Jeffrey Ellsworth (Secretary)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:07am.

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

FA Transportation Survey: Survey is closed, provides qualitative and quantitative data on campus community’s transportation needs for reaching NYC.

Faculty Forum: Postponed from March 2, tentatively rescheduled to March 9 from 1pm-2pm in ASB 136.

Discussion of WAC, as well as generally about the three standing FA committees: ARC, GECCo, and WAC.

Provost’s Council: Working on developing a Research Misconduct Assurance Policy regarding human and animal research that will be housed within the IRB. Discussion of the yield season turning admitted students into enrolled students. Admitted student days on April 3 and April 24, and open house event on May 1.

FAEC DISCUSSION:

New Business:

President Jebb: Discussion of events on the situation in Ukraine. Discussion of Future series.

Provost Gaulden: Discussion of large gatherings – expectation of a change of rules two weeks after spring break ends. Discussion of booster requirements and importance of submitting documentation to college for students, faculty, and staff. Discussion of fall course schedule. There was a digital glitch that erased all course caps – course caps are being manually put back in. If there are errors, please notify. The Provost’s Council is considering three policy revisions: revisions to removal of students from class sessions; revisions to faculty responsibilities to students on interim suspension; revisions to requirement to declare a major. Discussion of Webex.

March 16 – Ramapo College is hosting a high school college fair.

FAEC Guests: Cindy Jebb (President); Susan Gaulden (Provost)

Meeting adjourned at 12:03 pm.

Categories: Uncategorized

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March 10, 2022Task Force for Course Delivery Modes

Charge
Course Delivery Modes Task Force Charge FINAL 11-09-2021

Task Force Composition
Stephanie Sarabia (SSHS) Co-Chair
Tae Kwak (HGS)
Matthew Jobrack (TAS)
Nikhil Varma (ASB)
Benjamin Neill (CA)
Elizabeth Siecke (Library)
Michael Bitz (SSHS, IDC & FA representative) Co-Chair
Stephen Rice (HGS, ARC & FA representative)
Jakub Zak (SGA)

Rajesh Adhikari (Roukema Center)
Missy Long (OSS)
Fernanda Papalia (Registrar)
Beth Foster (Registrar)
Ed Petkus (Dean ASB)
Peter Campbell (Dean CA)
Jessica Steinheimer (CSS)
Nicole Morgan-Agard (CDO, EDIC)

Categories: FA taskforce, RAMAPO FAEC, Uncategorized

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