Report to Faculty Assembly on 2005/2006 Projects

 

Enhanced Faculty Governance design completed by FAC and approved by FA as a pilot for next two years.  (See Pilot Bylaws)

 

CEP/CLA approved by Board of Trustees following extensive work by faculty at all levels from convening groups to ARC to the FA.  Continuing work on implementation issues as we proceed through the first registration cycle.

 

Academic Structure:  FA reaffirmed commitment to preserve interdisciplinarity.  Approved assigning students in a given major to one school, one dean, and one school core.

 

Search Process Task Force created.  Completed report and made ten recommendations which were approved by Faculty Assembly.  Details at: http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/stfexecsummary113005.htmland here for detailed resolutions: http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/stfdetailedbkgrnd113005.html

 

Academic Building Design:  Discussion of classroom setup issues. Review of lectern design and survey taken of faculty on preferred design for classrooms in new building.

 

Classroom allocation:  FA called for flexibility in classroom allocation to address increased enrollment, academic restructuring realities and curriculum changes.

 

Textbook Committee researched issues around the price of textbooks and presented an extensive report to FA primarily focused on strategies available to individual faculty members.

 

DAC completed its Campus Climate Survey and has made the final report available to the community in preparation for developing an action plan for next year.

 

Consultative Group:  President Merceršs proposal of a small consultative group to work on current issues was approved by FA and faculty representative chosen.

 

Student Evaluations:  A pilot study was done on the proposed new form which led to an ARC recommendation that further research be done and any change in the form coincide with being able to create a web-based version next year.

 

Dean/Provost Evaluations:  This is the first year we have put into practice the Dean evaluation form and process approved last year by FA.  The Provost Evaluation is supposed to happen as well this year.  The President (although technically exempt because it is his first year has asked that he also be evaluated this year and that is planned).

 

International Education/Study Abroad:  A consultant visited Ramapo and reviewed these programs issuing a report which has led to the establishment of a new committee (set up by the Provost) to make recommendations for action.

 

Graduate Programs:  ARC made a number of recommendations which were endorsed by the FA regarding development and monitoring of graduate programs and courses.

 

Wintersession:  The decision was made to eliminate wintersession as of next year and focus on strengthening summer programs.  No report as yet on that effort.