FAEC MINUTES 03/11/2020

FAEC Minutes 3/11/2020

Faculty Assembly Executive Council [FAEC] Meeting Minutes

Date: Wednesday, March  11, 2020 | Location: B226  | Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Attendees: Tae Kwak, Donna Flynn, Kathy Zeno, Christina Connor, Scott Frees, Roark Atkinson, Naseem Choudhury, Ashwani Vashihth (Interim SSHS Representative), Pinar Kayaalp (interim HGS Representative), 

Secretary: Nakia Matthias

Guests: President Mercer and Interim Provost Gaulden

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I.  FAEC Minutes Approved 

II.  Faculty Concerns Regarding COVID-19

FAEC is concerned with the ambiguity of the March 10th communication titled, Campus Communication on Coronavirus and the College’s plans for the handling of courses, remote instruction,  midterm examinations, and the overall COVID-19 containment response.

Faculty have been informed to prepare to deliver their courses remotely but await detailed communication regarding this process and plans that the college has in place as a response to COVID-19.

FAEC will compose a response to the President’s communication to address issues of concern relative to remote course delivery and midterm scheduling,

FAEC suggests that faculty representation is included on the College’s Pandemic Assessment Team.  If faculty will not be required to remain on campus, it is imperative that a designated faculty member is included in any deliberations about course delivery and faculty roles during this time.

FAEC will develop an official response that includes guidance for the handling of course delivery and faculty expectations.  

FAEC will consult with AFT about teaching duties and course delivery so that faculty can have conversations with their respective deans about this developing matter.  

FAEC will draft a letter to address the administration and seek more information about the College’s handling of the COVID-19 response, and specifically faculty concerns regarding the use of compensated time  in the event of illness, faculty presence on campus, and online course development. The letter will cover the following:

• A need for the RCNJ’s COVID-19 containment response to bear consistency with the plans set forth by Governor Murphy.   
• Ensuring that sick days cannot be used should faculty need to remain off campus due to COVID-19 related illness.
• Faculty and staff are not required to remain on campus for remote course delivery.  
• The college will only use minimal staff and essential faculty on campus if there is a need to do so.
• Faculty require time that does not overlap with their existing duties in order to design or re-design online coursework 
• Greater clarity and consistency about travel as sports teams are continuing to travel domestically. 
• Future communication to the campus community and specifically regarding changes that impact faculty and staff expectations require precise language regarding directives and the actions that The college will take.  
• There is a lack of clarity about whether midterms will maintain their regular schedule for the current week as this matter is addressed in conjunction with Spring Break without specificity

III.  FAEC will communicate the following to faculty:

The State of New Jersey published guidelines indicating that faculty do not have to use sick pay/leave and there is a need for RCNJ to reconcile their policies with those of the state.  The local AFT will be asked to attend to this concern and further coordinate any contractual issues.  

Faculty needs to provide the minimum contact time whether inside or outside of class.

Meeting Adjourned 12 pm

Categories: FAEC MEETING MINUTES 2020, RAMAPO FAEC