DRAFT

FAEC w/Provost

December 6, 2006

Board Room

Members Present: Eric Karlin, Erin Augis, Steve Rice, Sue Scher, Susan Eisner, Anita Stellenwerf, Irene Kuchta, Marcia Sexton, Maria Vail, Amruth Kumar, Jason Hecht, Provost Beth Barnett

1. Recent Events on Campus

There have been several instances of bias and/or discriminatory acts over the semester including vehicle vandalism, anti-Semitic statements, and questionable language in regards to sexuality. Concern has been expressed from the Board of Trustees that action be taken in response to these occurrences. President Mercer has issued email statements condemning such conduct and the need for forums to discuss these issues.

Action Item: EC will draft a statement of affirmation in the College’s core values along with recommendations for activities to take place during the spring semester. (See “Affirmation of Ramapo College Faculty Values on Acts of Bias and Hate” statement and “Recommendation of the Executive Council of the Faculty to Ramapo College Administration on Campus-area Acts of Bias and Hate.”)

Cabinet approved a statement (w/o faculty input), but the statement will not be circulated for signatures based on Attorney General’s advice. EC requested that legal definition of hate crime be distributed to the campus, and/or be placed in student & faculty handbooks;

[Reaffirmation/affirmation statement. Faculty role in dealing with affirmation. Provost provided history-BOT demanding action b/c too many incidents have happened over semester; car vandalism, homophobic remarks on dorm bulletin board, anti-Semitic phrase on classroom board; use of language as cultural bias; level of hate crimes vs. “jokes”; security review; Reaffirmation statement approved by cabinet w/o faculty involvement-question of anonymity and privacy; what is this trying to achieve? Provost requests an FA statement of affirmation; question or concern of coercion-should just be from administration & FA, how to bring into classrooms? Statement will not be available to sign based on feedback from Attorney General’s office; need legal definition of hate crime for information purposes; suggest language be placed or checked in student & faculty handbooks; DAC will review incidents next semester; What does BOT want? Punitive reaction-results. Need to have something more concrete for BOT report; Action Item: need affirmation statement from FA, mention activities for spring.]

2. Convener’s job description

Deans will be meeting with EC at a later date to discuss draft job description.

Action Item: Suggestion from the group that compensation be discussed prior to approving the job description.

3. Update from the Provost

  • Provost Barnett is waiting to hear from the Board of Trustees before pursuing any rumored changes to the Nursing major to be a . [change major from shared major w/ UMDNJ to Ramapo major; Board will need to make decision; will need to go to ARC, resource question;]
  • Task forces will be formally charged today, 12-6-06.
  • Parking issues-Provost hasn’t received any feedback.
  • Grading deadline & calendar issues-Still attempting to push deadline to 12-29-06. Spring 2008 semester start date still in question. Provost would like to form a committee to review issues.
  • Communication-EC suggested the Provost host town meeting sessions for the faculty and/or provide monthly reports.
  • CIO progress-Provost would like to begin the search process with a suggested start date for July 1, 2007. For spring, the Provost would like to bring in a consultant to review technology/computer support. EC suggested that Pat Chang talk with Amruth Kumar for ideas relating to the consultant and/or potential CIO.
  • Rumors have been circulating of the possibility of another student residence. Provost wants to focus budget and planning on the deficit rather than focusing on projected growth.

4. Affirmation Statement

Subcommittee made up of Susan Eisner, Erin Augis, and Irene Kuchta developed an Affirmation Statement and Recommendations in response to recent incidents on campus. (See number 1) EC voted unanimously to support the Affirmation Statement developed by the subcommittee.

Action Item: EC reps were also requested to present the EC approved Affirmation Statement (See numbers 1 &4) for closed ballot vote at Unit Council today, 12-6-06.

[Affirmation statement with secondary recommendations: Erin will email statement to EC for review @ unit council and vote by closed ballot; recommendations will go to admin; Unanimous vote of support for affirmation statement;]

5. FA Web page

New Faculty Assembly webpage is available. There is a section available to showcase faculty scholarship. [showcase scholarship, not necessarily showcase person: come up with contribution for section-example: presentation title, article title, image, spreadsheet-revolving showcase; suggest viewing of unofficial history of Ramapo for new faculty]

6. Faculty Assembly report of activities for Board of Trustees meeting

EC advised President Karlin to provide a brief review of activities over the semester including CEP implementation, new FA governance structure, and the role of faculty across campus. A copy of the report was also requested to be distributed to the faculty. [summary of semester activities; example-CEP; role of faculty w/in every aspect of the campus, faculty governance structure, volunteer aspect, ethics resolution; distribute copy to faculty;]

7. Faculty Showcase for January Faculty Assembly

TAS and CA will present brief (no more than 10 minutes) presentations outlining what their faculty have accomplished over the past semester. At each successive Faculty Assembly, two units will be selected to showcase what their faculty are working on. President Mercer and Provost Barnett are also on the schedule. [need to decide on format; have something from units at each FA; 10 minute affirmation for two units-TAS & CA; have Provost & President report at 1/16/06 (already on schedule); each rep should come up with way to present each unit;]

8. EC Reports for Unit Councils

Units have been requested to develop models for scholarship needs.

Action Item: EC reps were also requested to present the EC approved Affirmation Statement (See numbers 1 &4) for closed ballot vote at Unit Council today, 12-6-06.

Submitted by M. Sexton, December 6, 2006