FAEC Meeting Minutes, April 14 2021

FAEC MINUTES
4/14/21

 Present: Naseem Choudhury (President, SSHS), Bonnie Blake ((Councilor-at-Large over 11, CA), Katie Cohen (Library), Donna Flynn (Councilor-at-Large under 11, TAS), Scott Frees (Vice President, TAS), Kim Lorber (Secretary), Lisa Lutter, (CA), Thierry Rakotbe-Joel (ASB), Mihaela Serban (SSHS), Ed Shannon (HGS)

Guests: Sarah Carberry (GECCo Chair)

Vote to bring meeting to order at 10:02am.

Minutes Approval: The 4/7/21 minutes were approved. 

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION

 Course Delivery Change Dates: It is unclear how much flexibility there is in changing course delivery modes. 

Enrollment as of April 13th:  We have access to some information. Currently, SSHS conveners received data about course and delivery mode percentage preferences for seniors in the early days of registration for Fall 2021. We agreed FAEC should routinely receive the same enrollment updates given to Conveners and Deans.

Provost Meeting: Naseem will meet on Friday.

Transition Team/Planning:

• Finances: Stephen Larsen’s report shed new light on the financial health of the College; we did not lose money this year and there is a good chance for the same for the next academic year.
•  Faculty Assembly 5/24 at 2pm with Dr. Jebb:
  • FA with Dr. Jebb: The agenda is being organized.
  • Introduction to Faculty Assembly: We will discuss the governance structure, shared governance, the task force findings and recommendations.
  • Faculty Priorities: FA will provide Dr. Jebb with 2–3 priorities faculty feel the President might focus on when we meet. 
  • Solicit Dr. Jebb’s priorities and vision.
  • Types of Programs: Share how faculty feels about professional, graduate, and liberal arts programs at Ramapo College.
  • Google doc: A Google doc has been set up for suggestions provided to FAEC to identify faculty priorities to discuss with Dr. Jebb.
  • Liberal Arts College: We should highlight our commitment to the mission of our college. 
  • General Education: Discuss the strengths of this program.
    • Breakout Meetings with Dr. Jebb: Under 10 year faculty, senior faculty and other groups representing constituencies across the college might be beneficial as time permits. If not possible here then we will create these as separate special sessions.

o   Faculty Considerations: Where would we like to be in 5 years?

o   Collaboration between schools: We used to do this more.

Teaching: How do we better address learning the needs of students during these difficult times?

Forthcoming Surveys:

• Transition team
• Leadership: Beginning of May. (FAEC)
• ·Faculty Assembly for President’s visit. (FAEC)
• Faculty Assembly Bylaw Survey will be sent in April. (FAEC)

Year’s Goals:

• Approve FA Bylaws
• Meet with Dr. Jebb

Faculty Forum: The next and last Faculty Forum for the academic year will be held on 4/28/21.

Financial Information: This academic year we have been able to receive more financial information about the College. For example, Professor Stephen Larsen has provided information about the Budget Report and Professor Yongbum Kim has similarly shared important details from the BoT Audit Committee.

Faculty Service: There is some concern about a perceived hestiance of some Faculty to fulfill their sevice obligation by serving on committees and engaging in voting. is less inclined to volunteer. The Faculty Handbook can will help by specifying how service is measured and counted. Who serves? How is service acknowledged or recognized? What is the incentive for faculty?

Instructional Design Center: Lysandra Perez-Strumolo has offered words of appreciation to Dr. Michael Bitz and all those also involved in seeing us through the pandemic.

ARC Courses in The Approval Process: These are not being listed by the Registrar as they are new courses requiring ARC approval. In the past this was not the case.

 Peter Mercer Recognition: Katie Cohen will spearhead this.

 Faculty Survey Participation: Encourage faculty to participate in voting and other polls.

 SARAH CARBERRY (GECCo Chair): GECCo is running well.

Meeting adjourned at 11:16am.

Categories: FAEC meeting Minutes 2021, RAMAPO FAEC