Faculty Assembly: Resolutions
FA Resolutions Passed (2002 to present)
| 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
2005
November 9, 2005
**SSHS Resolution to preserve interdisciplinarity
(in 3 parts as follows):
1. The college will continue to foster interdisciplinary majors and
minors
2. Majors that currently operate between schools have the option of
retaining an interdisciplinary character. The nature of this character
would depend on the vote of the convening group, and acceptance by
the unit (school). Possible forms this could take might include:
a. involving faculty from other schools in the convening group
b. including courses from other schools
c. obtaining sustainable resources from participating school (e.g.
for faculty and courses)
3. Units may develop a rationale for the interdisciplinary
presence (i.e. membership) of any individual faculty member in order
to support and enhance the interdisciplinary aspects of their curriculum.
Passed 79 yes; 30 No; 17 Abstained
**Motion to table the 3 Resolutions proposed by Provost Sandy Pfeiffer (see below items 1-3) until the third meeting of Spring 2006
Item #1: Each major and minor will reside in only one school. Decisions about such placement will be made by the provost, in concert with the Deans Council. There will be an opportunity for convening groups to appeal these decisions to the provost, who will consult with the deans and the president before a final decision about the appeal is rendered.
Item #2: With few exceptions, every full-time
faculty member will be a member of the school/unit that is the home
of his or her primary convening group. Requests for exceptions must
be made in writing to the provost, with appropriate rationale included
(such as proximity to retirement or unusual academic interests/background
at the College). The provost will consult with the deans and the president
before a final decision is made about exceptions requested. Note:
As previously announced, faculty will have the
opportunity to choose secondary and, in rare cases, tertiary convening
groups. However, their actual school membership will be exclusively
in the one school of their primary convening group.
Item #3: The primary convening group of each
faculty member must correspond to the main teaching and scholarship
responsibilities of that faculty member. The provost and Deans Council
will review and approve all selections. Appeals of these decisions
may be made to the provost, who will consult with the deans and president
before a final decision is rendered.
Motion to Table Passed 60 yes 50 no 6 abstained
**The motion to have students in a given major reside only in one school and be responsible to one dean and responsible for the school core appropropriate to that school Passed 41 Yes 24 No 1 Abstained
September 7, 2005
**Faculty Assembly will dedicate most of the FA budget monies allocated for the luncheon for Faculty In-Service in January to donate to Hurricane Katrina relief as part of the all-college effort to raise funds for relief. (A portion of the funds will be reserved in order to purchase beverages for in-service day. Faculty will bring their own lunch for this particular in-service).Passed 58 Yes 0 No 1 Abstain [Motion later set aside due to college policies]
**First Year Seminar will carry a regular academic unit when CLA
is implemented in Fall 2006.
Passed 94 Yes 25 No 13 Abstain
**Students will be required to take one Topics course (outside their
school) rather than two as was originally planned.
Passed 97 Yes 19 No 15 Abstain
**Resolved that the Faculty Assembly of Ramapo College of New Jersey
strongly urges the NJ State legislators to enact Assembly Bill 2795
(which would add two employees to the boards of trustees of the State
colleges) and that a member of the Faculty Assembly be charged with
summarizing the discussion points (including electronic comments and
comments made during oral discussion points (including electronic
comments and comments made during oral discussion at the September
7, 2005 Faculty Assembly Meeting at Ramapo College) regarding Assembly
Bill 2795.
Passed 84 Yes 0 No 1 Abstained
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May 24, 2005
**The Faculty Assembly reaffirms its strong commitment to a Fall 2006 implementation of the Unit Plan (including the concept of the flex unit as outlined in the earlier Course Load Adjustment - CLA - reports and resolutions) as it will enhance the quality and reputation of Ramapo College. The Unit Plan will provide a better education for students through a curriculum strengthened, enriched, and more rigorous; and through a faculty committed, engaged, and able to actively pursue more scholarship.Passed by a substantial majority
**Searches Resolution 1: All advertising copy for a faculty position
should receive approval from the specific search committee before
its release.
**Searches Resolution 2: Each search committee will suggest target
journals for position advertising. The appearance of such advertising
will be mutually determined with the administration.
Both passed by a substantial majority
April 13, 2005
**Motion to create a task force to review search and hiring practices at the College.Passed 67 yes 3 no 8 abstained
**Resolution to adopt a revised Latin Honor Policy: changing the
current policy
From: Latin honors will be awarded to graduates who have completed
a minimum of 65 graded credits
To: Latin honors will be awarded to graduates who have completed a
minimum of 64 graded credits for compliance with CLA (i.e., one unit
equals 4 credits; therefore 64/4 = 16 units).
Passed 66 Yes; 1 No; 8 Abstained
February 16, 2005
**Resolution: To change faculty and staff seating from the current
location on the field (seated in chairs to the right of the graduation
candidates - facing the stage) to seating on risers along the tree line,
to the left of the graduation candidates when facing the stage.
Passed 59 yes, 8 no , and 13 Abstained.
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2004
December 1, 2004
**Resolved: We, the faculty, hereby affirm our faith in the presidential search process and the diligence of the search committee and commend them on having identified, in a timely manner, an impressive slate of qualified candidates for the Presidency of Ramapo College of NJ.Passed 84 Yes, 4 No, 2 Abstentions
**Resolved: We, the faculty, wish to thank the outgoing members
of the Board of Trustees and the members of the Board who joined earlier
this year and to welcome the two new Board members who are serving
for the first time this evening. The faculty look forward to working
with the Board of Trustees in the future on behalf of Ramapo College.
Passed 84 Yes, 4 No, 2 Abstentions
**Resolved that the Faculty Assembly endorse the recommendation offered
by DAC (DAC Recommendation) and urge the President and the Cabinet
to take swift action on this recommendation.
Passed 89 Yes, 2 No, 2 Abstained
**A vote to commit for review by ARC the concerns raised by Trent
Schroyer and in Professor Horowitz letter re: study abroad
Passed 29 Yes, 2 No, 2 Abstained
November 3, 2004
**Resolved that Article VII of the Faculty Assembly bylaws be amended to formalize the process for reporting out Faculty Assembly resolutions by adding a new Section 6 as follows:The Faculty Assembly President, in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Council, in a timely fashion following each Assembly meeting, will formally report to the Provost on any resolution taken by the Faculty Assembly which requires decisions and/or implementation beyond the assembly body. i.e. these would include curriculum changes, academic policies changes, recommendations re: capital improvements, and the like, but would not include internal matters such as the establishment of a faculty assembly committee or an expression of faculty opinions such as a resolution regarding academic freedom.
Passed 80 yes, 1 no and 2 abstained.
October 6, 2004
**The ARC recommends: that the Faculty Assembly approve the continuation of the course substitution policy for Senior Seminars until the newly passed General Education Program has been implemented. The course substitutions must be writing intensive courses. Passed by a substantial majority.September 8, 2004
**Environmental Science MinorPassed 108 yes, 3 no and 3 abstained.
**SBGC Resolution #1 The Reflection and Meditation Center: The Reflection
and Meditation Center (proposed by Anthony Padovano) is a space dedicated
to meditation and peace. The SBGC having reviewed the proposal recommends
that the FA endorse 1) the concept of the Reflection and Meditation
Center and 2) that should the Center be ultimately housed in the historic
Carriage House where the Mailroom and print shop are currently located
that the historic nature of the building be preserved if possible,
that the project be integrated with the design for a belvedere over
the adjacent pond, and that any plantings around it be in keeping
with the arboretum concept
Passed 81 Yes, 21 No and 16 abstained.
**SBGC Resolution #2 Solar Energy: The Faculty of Ramapo College recommends
that the administration investigate and develop a long-term plan for
producing a substantial portion of its electrical energy from solar
energy, and based upon its viability, begin implementation to convert
roof space into solar power production as soon as possible.
Passed 117 Yes, 3 No and 4 abstained.
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August 1, 2004 (by mail ballot)
**General Education Program under CLA as per CLAIII Final Report at http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/clagefinal06_14_04.htmlPassed 68 Yes; 17 No; 5 Abstained
July 1, 2004
**ASEC Poll Responses as of July 1, 2004 (See the ASEC page at http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/asecpage.html.) Ballot read: "I generally support the recommendations in the ASEC 5/17 Final Report"Passed 50 Yes (49%): 39 No (38%); and 14 abstentions (13%)
Twenty-six (26) of the ballots provided additional narrative comments.
June 21, 2004
**A resolution was made to suspend Parliamentary procedure to not allow amendments to come to the floor at the June meeting. As a vote on the bylaws, passage required 2/3 support.Passed 50 Yes 23 No and 2 abstentions.
** Resolution condemning official intimidation of academic speech
Passed 65 Yes, 6 No, and 2 abstaining.
** Selection of Faculty Dining Room Location: Option A: Pavilion;
Option B a separate section in the current dining hall in the Student
Center.
Passed Option B (35 votes) vs. Option A (11 votes), 10 abstained.
May 24, 2004 (a.m. Meeting)
**Resolution to hold an additional FA meeting in June, 2004 to discuss the CLA committee's final resolution.Passed 58 yes, 24 no and 9 abstained.
** RESOLVED: That the proposed Dean Evaluation Form and proposed
Dean Evaluation Process as presented by the Deans Evaluation Committee
be adopted for annual evaluation of the deans beginning with spring
2005
Passed 52 yes, 4 no and 6 abstained
** RESOLVED: That the Provost Evaluation Process and Provost Evaluation
Form as presented by the Deans Evaluation Committee be adopted for
annual evaluation of the provost beginning with spring 2005
Passed 83 yes, 6 no and 9 abstained
**Resolved: To refer to CLA III committee for consideration the proposal
that the existing Gen Ed math courses be maintained in lieu of the
proposed quantitative reasoning component in the CLAIII proposal.
Passed 63 yes, 21 no and 3 abstained
**Resolved : That the Faculty Assembly urges Student Affairs from
this point on to schedule housing selections during non-peak classroom
times( ie evenings and/or weekends).
Passed 63 yes, 21 no and 3 abstained.
March 17, 2004
**RESOLVED: That the Faculty Assembly endorse the proposed design of the Ramapo College arboretum developed by the SBGC and forward that recommendation to the administration. (Note the FA unanimously endorsed the overall concept of the arboretum at the 12/10/03 FA meeting.Passed 60 Yes and 2 Abstained.
**Resolution #1 (Academic Integrity Policy) recommended the adoption
of the revised draft of the Ramapo College Academic Integrity Policy.
(See the complete
text of the Ramapo College Academic Integrity Policy at http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/acadintegritypolicyrev.html
Passed 79 Yes, 2 No and 5 Abstained.
**Resolution #2 (Language of Grading) recommended the adoption of
the Provost Task Force Grading Recommendation #1. (See http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/TFgrading.html
Passed 71 Yes, 7 No and 3 Abstained.
ARC Resolution # 3 (Withdrawal Deadline), The ARC recommended the
adoption of the Provost Task Force on Grading recommendation #2 See:
http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/TFgrading.html
Passed 60 Yes, 20 No and 3 Abstained.
March 8, 2004(by mail mallot)
** ARC resolution on continuing ARC: The ARC recommends that the Faculty Assembly vote to charter the Academic Review Committee (ARC) as the standing committee of the Faculty Assembly, replacing the former four Faculty Assembly standing committees: Academic, Curriculum, General Education, and Senior Seminar, effective immediately. (required 2/3 majority to pass)Passed 98 Yes, 15 No, and 4 abstentions)
February 18, 2004
** The ARC recommends the adoption of the Academic & Curricular Guidelines Manual, dated 11/2003 Revised, and the updated Program Proposal Review and Approval Process dated 1/2004, which are posted on the Faculty Assembly website, to be effective immediately.Passed: 83 Yes 2 no 0 Abstained.
**The ARC recommends that the Faculty Assembly approve the continuation
of the course substitution policy for Senior Seminars through Summer
2005
Passed 82 yes, 11 no and 8 abstained
**Motion to table Student Evaluation resolution until next meeting
Passed 39 Yes, 8 no and 4 abstained
[Note the Student Evaluation resolution was subsequently withdrawn
at the March 17, 2004 meeting]
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2003
December 10, 2003
Revised Course Timetable (CLAII) (as per http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/CLAproposedscheduleredux.html )Passed Option 1 by a substantial majority
November 12, 2003
** CLA II recommends that the concept of the UNIT Plan as outlined in the "IMPLEMENTING COURSE-LOAD ADJUSTMENT" final report (from CLA II, dated October 6, 2003) be approved for implementation as soon as practicable to coincide with the Banner migration in Fall 2005. (See http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/cla2final100303.html )Passed 96 yes, 9 no and 8 abstain.
**CLA II recommends approval of the definition and procedure for FLEX UNITS as outlined in the "IMPLEMENTING COURSE-LOAD ADJUSTMENT" final report (from CLA II, dated October 6, 2003). (See http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/cla2final100303.html )
Passed 86 Yes, 15 No and 12 abstained.
**Motion to table discussion of the proposed CLA timetable to the
next meeting. (See http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/cla2final100303.html
)
[Options for a revised timetable came back to the Dec. 10 meeting
and Option 1 was approved at that time - see above]
Motion to table Passed 60 Yes, 41 No and 6 abstained.
** Resolution passed to continue wintersession
Passed 73 Yes, 16 No, 9 abstained.
October 8, 2003
Arboretum: A motion was passed to explore the possibility of developing an arboretum at RamapoPassed Unanimously
September 10, 2003
**Establish Dean's Evaluation Committee: one representative from each academic unit, from PSA, and from Support Staff and two deans; recommendation to be brought back to FA and Provost in 12/03.Passed Yes, 3 No and 3 abstained.
** Neuroscience Major
Passed 94 yes, 6 No and 8 abstained
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June 10, 2003
**CLA Resolution: Resolved that the faculty accept the report of the Course Load Adjustment Committee and endorse a universal teaching load of three courses per term based on teaching 3 Units consisting of 180 minutes per unit/week. The remaining "flex unit" will be used for research and professional advancement. We do not endorse the wholesale removal of convener and other faculty released time. These and other issues outlined in the report must be decided during the fall term, when the convening groups will make needed adjustments. We recommend that a committee of compensated peers be constituted as CLA II during the summer to frame all remaining issues for efficient decision making in the fall.Passed 119 Yes; 8 No; and 6 Abstained.
May 22, 2003
**Resolution to select WebCT 4.0 as preferred course management softwarePassed unanimously with one abstention
March 14, 2003
**Proposal to Establish a Spanish Language MajorPassed 85 Yes, 2 No and 2 abstained
February 19, 2003
**Resolution #1: The Faculty Assembly reaffirms our commitment to a decentralized shared-governance structure, and urges that a positive commitment to this structure be incorporated into the Strategic Plan.**Resolution #2: The Assembly affirms maintaining course scheduling and curricular matters within convening groups and their conveners.
**Resolution #3: The Assembly affirms the election of School Deans through the school structure. It opposes permanent Deans. The administration retains the right to veto or remove any Dean.
**Resolution #4: The Assembly also expresses great concern over the language and the tone of page 7 of the Strategic Plan.
All four resolution passed: 63 Yes 0 No 8 Abstained
February 13, 2003(by mail ballot)
**Resolution: "Moved that the leadership of the Ramapo AFT, the Faculty Assembly, and the Academic Review Committee work together to develop a plan to gather and analyze the appropriate information to prepare for the discussion at the May Faculty Assembly meeting on Ed Cody's Course Adjustment proposal and the faculty response to it."Passed 96 Yes; 9 No; 7 Abstained.
January 29, 2003
**Motion to table (until the FA meeting in May 2003) the Resolution
to support the courseload proposal made by Ed Cody to reduce the teaching
load from 8 courses to 7 a year, to approve an all 3-credit curriculum,
to approve the reduction of graduation credits from 128 to 120, and
to remove release time from convenors.
Motion to table passed 74 yes, 52 no and 3 abstained.
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2002
October 10, 2002
**Resolved: The Faculty Assembly requests that the College's President
create a panel made up of active faculty members, administrators and
emeritus and other retired professors (with absolute mayority of active
faculty) to look at all aspects of the association of the emeriti and
other retired professors with the College in the years following their
retirement. ... The task force is to report back to the Faculty Assembly
with its recommendations
Passed 66 Yes 1 No 2 absentions
**Resolution to oppose the war in Iraq. The resolution contained an
eleven point background and explanation.
A vote was taken on dividing the motion
Passed 33 Yes, 25 No and 11 abstained.
**Resolution (1st part of the divided motion): To hold a campus wide
debate on the war [Remaining points of the resolution withdrawn]
Passed Unanimously with one abstention
September 20, 2002(by mail ballot)
**Resolved to endorse the report of the Committee on Committees (to
create Academic Review Committee ARC) (Must pass by 2/3 majority). See:
http://phobos.ramapo.edu/facassem/REPORTS/commCommCharter7_24_02.html
Passed 87 yes; 28 no; 2 abstained
November 24, 2002
**Be it resolved that the faculty assembly of Ramapo College is urging the Congress to provide the remaining funding, as follows, to make this Center a reality: $1.5 million through the VAHUD bill (before the VA, HUD and Independent AGencies Subcommittee) to build a Center for International Education and Entrepreneurship and $1.5 million in the Labor, Health and Humanb Services and Education bill (before the LHHSED Subcommittee) to provide equipment and curriculum development for the CIEEPassed Unanimously
**Resolved to send the resolution to endorse the Committee on Committee
reports to a paper ballot to be held by Sep. 20, 2002
Passed 71 yes, 28 no and 11 abstained.
Preference for location of Faculty Assembly meetings:
48 voted for holding meetings at SC136-7 and 48 in favor of the Pavilion.
