FAEC meeting Minutes, Sept 1, 2021

FAEC MINUTES 9/1/21
ASB 230 and Webex

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

 Guests: President Cindy Jebb, Interim-Provost Susan Gaulden

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

Minutes Approval: The 2/24/21 minutes will be approved next week. 

FA PRESIDENT’S REPORT

-Today’s FA meeting had to be moved to ASB 135 due to the lack of appropriate technology in the Pavillion.
-Ed Shannon was asked to attend the AFT meeting and report to Naseem if FAEC needs to be aware of any issues.  

August Meeting with Dr. Jebb (with Naseem and Ed):

Vaccine Accommodation: Naseem and Ed discussed vaccine preparedness. 688 students were not vaccine compliant by 8/24-8/25 of August; this was whittled down by half. 340+ students were vaccine non-compliant. There is a registration melt of approximately 40 something students, which is not completely related to vaccines. 300+ students are in the vaccine process and need accommodations or to miss classes until they are vaccine compliant.

Communications between Faculty and Administration was discussed, we noted historical impediments to communication and expressed hope that Pres. Jebb would be willing to work with us toward better communication.

We noted concern that some COVID related communications had been sent to students before they were sent to Faculty. Faculty were not informed enough to help students who contacted faculty. Pres. Jebb seemed to understand the problem. 

Meeting with Provost (Naseem):

Student Class Accommodations: What does an accommodation mean? It can mean anything from keeping up and getting notes or joining a class via Webex. Faculty can deny accommodations. Deans are also supportive of this.

Deregistered Students: Some students who were deregistered from in-person classes due to vaccine non-compliance may not know. A code is used to prevent re-registration into in-person courses. Once vaccinated, the code is changed. Faculty need to be mindful of this code when doing advisement with students.  Provost Gaulden will be sending an email out to faculty later in the semester.

Creating Outside Spaces for Office Hours: Outside spaces would be helpful if faculty members are uncomfortable having office hours in their offices. Naseem and Ed spoke with Provost Gaulden about seating areas outside for office hours. President Jebb is very excited about this idea which is utilized in other colleges. Privacy must also be provided for private conversations with students.

Advisor Requests and How to Advise Students: If someone raises a flag or alerts a faculty member of an advisee’s challenges in a class, we are expected to consult with the student. We, as faculty advisors, see our role as ensuring our students successfully navigate their major. We do not have expertise in other disciplines; how should these students be helped? Faculty advisors can contact the student but cannot help with curriculum issues.

FAEC DISCUSSION

Social Distancing Policy for Small Classrooms: These have not been adjusted and normal seating will be utilized.

Next Semester: Courses will be offered in-person. Provost informed FAEC that S2020 course schedule with 3 modes of delivery was being rolled over for S2022.

Faculty/Staff Vaccine Mandate: In-person faculty this semester need to comply with the vaccine requirements. HR can implement progressive discipline for faculty who are not compliant; this (“progressive discipline”) is not defined anywhere.

Recycling/Garbage Pickup: 2 of 6 units received an email that says garbage and recycling will not be collected from offices. Individuals will have to use centrally located garbage and recycling bins. This is called a sustainability initiative. The unions were not consulted and this was not a PCCS initiative (President’s Committee on  Campus  Sustainability).

The FAEC is concerned that this was called a sustainability initiative when it is not. FAEC representatives in units in which faculty did not receive the information will confer with their deans. This will be indefinite.  The list of recycling areas  https://www.ramapo.edu/facilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/143/2021/08/Centralized-Refuse-Colllection-Locations-2021-08-27.pdf

President’s Advisory Council and Shared Government: FAEC discussed the role of PAC in the implementation of the recommendations from the Shared Governance Task force report.

Provost’s Council: This is one of the most important councils relevant to the faculty. Faculty should be in charge of curriculum and more experienced faculty members should be included. Other divisions are becoming more involved in academic issues; we must be able to ensure our expertise as faculty is respected and used whenever possible.

Master List of Councils: These are posted on the Provost’s web page.

PRESIDENT JEBB’S REPORT

Convocation: This was wonderful.

Helping Students Back on Campus: Dr. Jebb is encouraging students to meet their faculty from past virtual semesters. Many students have not been on campus yet. They may wish to discuss their transitions to in-person learning. They may need some help and someone to talk to about this transition. These may be difficult conversations but will provide enormous benefit for students.

9/11 Memorial: Some of our students weren’t born yet and others may have feelings they can discuss with their faculty.

President’s Vision: Naseem shared we are excited to engage in new ideas and are very eager to make shared governance work.

Refuse Collection: Naseem mentioned it would be nice to know why this has changed. It is beneficial to know why something is going into effect,.

Faculty Feedback: We are very forthcoming based on the culture built here over many years. We want the best for our students and for the survival of the College. Dr. Jebb noted being in a trusted environment allows us to build on honest communication because there are many strengths here to build upon. We have 240 faculty and 300+ adjuncts who can provide valuable feedback.

Communication: There are elements discussed in FAEC that are important; how is the information dispensed? We have our FAEC representatives share the information at their Unit Council where faculty can hold discussions. Naseem can send faculty blasts and includes all faculty and adjuncts. Deans also send out information to the faculty and adjuncts.

PROVOST GAULDEN’S REPORT

Welcome: Provost Gaulden welcomed us back. Much work was done this summer to ensure safety for everyone on campus. There will be glitches so let the appropriate department/person know if something needs to be fixed and it will be.  

Student Used Names: Due to a late software change, 12 students’ used names were lost. Provost Gaulden reminded faculty to ensure they check with ALL students to ensure we are using the correct names and pronouns for everyone.

Masks: Students who are not wearing masks properly should be reminded; most apologize. Some say they did not know they had to wear them indoors.

De-registration: 4,100 students are taking some form of in-person classes. Of these approximately 80% have provided vaccination cards. There were a few medical and more religious exemptions approved. Our religious exemptions were greatly fewer than at other colleges. 27 vaccine verification emails were sent to students. We may have lost a few students. The melt is very small. Deans are reaching out to students. Most students were able to rearrange their schedules once they were reregistered.

Spring 2022 Course Calendar: S2022 will be in pre-pandemic modes of delivery. Conveners will be invited to a training of the course modification app. It has been improved and will make things very efficient. This simplifies the Banner process of setting up a course via 8-10 screens. Scott Frees made a program that makes everything much simpler. Once a day the modifications will be uploaded and will appear the next day.

Masks for Students Who Do Not Have One: Students without a mask can get one from public safety. If they forgot it in their car, they should get it. If a student appears in an in-person class without a mask, they have to leave. Students who cannot wear masks should have an approval letter.

Social Distancing: We are not having distancing requirements. Provost Gaulden measured 3 feet between desks using the usual desk placement format.

Office Hours: Office hours can be held in the faculty member’s office. If uncomfortable, go for a walk or talk to the student outside. In-person and virtual office hours can also be used. Be mindful of privacy issues.

 Registration: Students can reregister. The ADD/DROP date has not been extended but all students were called if they had a course dropped. There are still about 30 students receiving outreach to pick remote courses if they were not vaccine compliant.

 Spring 2022: There will be no virtual options. The spring offerings will include pre-COVID-19 formats including in-person, online and hybrid (3rd) model for courses in the spring.

 Sustainability Assessment (needs clarification): We scored just below average regarding our sustainability actions. We need to improve across campus. 

 Independent Study: Naseem shared students have asked for independent studies for courses not available remotely. Susan did not know this. This is something Susan will look into to see if a negotiation with AFT can be made to provide a reasonable pay rate so some low enrolled courses can be offered as something between a “full” course and an independent study. .

 S2022 Course Schedule: Conveners may  input courses themselves or they can ask the trained unit secretaries to do it. But conveners will not be required to upload schedules themselves.

 Webex Kit for The Pavillion: Susan can arrange this.

  Meeting adjourned at 12:05pm.

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