Minutes 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