Academic Plan 2010-2011
Refreshed August 2010
Foundations of Excellence

Academic programs at Ramapo College rest on a liberal arts base and enjoy the synergies of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and pre-professional programs.

Social, cultural, and intellectual diversity are essential to learning.

Responsiveness to external change is a necessary and agility is essential to excellence.

Excellence in student learning is possible only through partnerships between students, faculty, and staff.

Academic Affairs strives for excellence in every endeavor.
Activities for 2010-2011:
The College will ensure that student learning emphasizes international
education, intercultural understanding, interdisciplinary and experiential learning. (Goal 1.1).
I.
As recommended in the Greater Expectations report for 2009, a Design team will be charged with exploring the functioning of the “Five-hour Course Enrichment Component”.
A.
Work with the Vice Provost for Curriculum and Assessment to survey faculty and students on:
1.
Activities used to fulfill CEC requirements – examples and how they were received by faculty and students;
2.
Implementation practices (i.e. graded/non graded, written/oral/no report, assigned/selfselected CEC, linked/not linked to work in the course, reflective analysis/no reflective analysis); and
3.
Issues of concern and recommendations for improvement (including but not limited to how to better engage students in CEC activities, how to facilitate more meaningful learning through CEC, how to purposefully link Academic and Student Affairs through
II.
III.
CEC).
B.
Recommend policy and implementation procedures that assure that the CEC of all courses are conducted with rigor appropriate to the programs offered and are designed, delivered and evaluated to foster a coherent student learning experience.
C.
Distribute results of the survey and recommendations; hold an open forum for discussion of results, recommendations and recommended policies.
D.
In consultation with the faculty and GECCo, recommend overarching student learning goals relevant to all CECs.
E.
Engage the campus community in a dialog revolving around CEC.
1.
how can CEC purposefully link Academic Affairs and Student Affairs?
2.
what resources are available and how can CEC resources be made readily accessible by members of the community (e.g., database/website)?
3.
what best practices exist for faculty involvement in CEC (with the recognition that faculty are not contractually bound to oversee the activities that define CEC)?
4.
what high-impact learning practices can be tied to the CEC?
5.
how are high-impact practices perceived by student affairs and academic affairs perspective?
Approve and implement propose policy and procedures for the of the Five-hour Course
Enrichment Component
Deans’ Council will oversee the infusion of interdisciplinarity within the majors, within the units, and across units.
A.
Working with FRC, the Deans’ Council will develop a process for distributing funding for interdisciplinary course design/redevelopment.
Seek $25,000 for interdisciplinary course design/redesign from SPIF (Under consideration by IE for SPIF funding).
B.
The Deans’ Council will redefine the Ramapo College Lecture Series and develop procedures for its planning and implementation.
C.
Each school dean will review the procedure for cross-listed courses and, where appropriate,

IV.
support its implementation.
D.
Each school dean will include within his report on unit activities for 2010-2011 an inventory of interdisciplinary offerings within the unit.
The Deans, in collaboration with RCIE, will engage faculty in developing a plan for increased internationalization of the curriculum and the campus.
A.
With GECCo, review the inventory of international student learning goals and outcomes addressed through General Education.
B.
Review international student learning goals and outcomes for each program (major and minor) in the unit and include an inventory of international learning experiences within the unit with the annual report for 2010-2011.
C.
With Student Affairs, review the co- and extra-curricular international learning experiences offered to the students.
D.
Develop a five year plan for increased internationalization of the curriculum and the campus.
The College will continue to graduate students who are life-long learners and who possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and ethics to seek enriching experiences and to develop new ways of
thinking, acting, and engaging. (Goal 1.2)
I.
III.
IV.
Develop and Implement two year plan to institutionalize student learning outcomes assessment.
A.
Each dean will inventory the results of all assessment of student learning outcomes completed within the unit across the past four years and all actions taken as a result of these assessments.
B.
Learning outcomes, curriculum maps, and assessment plans (… an organized and sustainable process to assess the achievement of student learning goals at the course and program levels, with evidence that assessment information is used to improve teaching and learning – Middle
States Statement of Accreditation Status, 25 June 2010) for all academic major programs will be in place by 01 October 2010.
C.
Each convening group (major program) will select one or two learning outcomes and implement assessment of these outcomes in Spring 2011.
D.
In May 2011, all units and convening groups will hold assessment retreats to review assessment results, plan responses to results, and plan assessments for 2011-2012.
E.
Resource allocation (human, fiscal, capital, and space) will be linked to assessment results through the one-year program review process (…document the implementation of …an organized and sustainable process to assess the achievement of student learning goals at the course and program levels, with evidence that assessment information is used to improve teaching and learning and is linked to planning – Middle States Statement of Accreditation
Status, 25 June 2010).
1.
A template for one-year program reviews will be developed and disseminated by 01
September 2010.
2.
The one-year program review process will be implemented for 2010-2011.
GECCo will plan, implement, evaluate, and make recommendations for curriculum change based on the assessment of General Education.
A.
GECCo will complete the written Assessment Plan and Timeline for General Education
(… document the implementation of …an organized and sustained assessment process for general education – Middle States Statement of Accreditation Status, 25 June 2010) and disseminate.
B.
GECCo members will receive a stipend for summer work.
Request funding for GECCo summer stipend ( Under review by IE for SPIF funding ).
C.
GECCo will implement assessment of several student learning outcomes and will disseminate the results of these assessments.
CEP will be assessed.
A.
A survey of faculty and students will be administered by the Vice Provost and used to assess the Curricular Enhancement Plan including the Five-hour Course Enrichment Component.
B.
Course rigor will be assessed and a unit plan for enhancement will be developed where necessary.
1.
Results of the senior survey will be reviewed by deans and convening groups.
2.
Results of the NSSE will be reviewed by deans and convening groups.
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V.
3.
Grade distributions, pre- and post-CEP will be analyzed and reviewed.
4.
Deans will work with conveners to develop enhancement plans where necessary.
C.
Flex will be reviewed and assessed.
1.
Deans will report on level of faculty participation.
2.
Deans will report on activities undertaken by faculty to meet flex obligation.
3.
Deans will submit an assessment of flex within the unit.
Academic affairs will explore curriculum enhancement through technology opportunities.
A.
Complete approval of Distance Education Manual.
B.
Explore program level opportunities in distance education.
C.
Seek approval from CHE and Middle States to offer the RN to BSN program fully on-line.
D.
Seek approval from CHE and Middle States to offer the last two years of the BSN program off-site
I.
II.
IV.
The College will implement a sustainable program of faculty development designed to enhance the
quality of teaching and learning, and increase opportunities for faculty scholarship. (Goal 1.3)
Maintain financial support for faculty travel at approximately $1,000 per full-time, tenure track faculty member.
Maintain funding available to support student involvement in student/faculty research.
Continue ASB Research Incentive Fund.
Request funding for ASB Research Incentive Fund through SPIF ( under consideration by IE
V.
for funding through SPIF ).
Through FRC develop a plan for more effective assessment of teaching.
VI.
Analyze the results of on-line course evaluation pilot and plan future direction.
VII.
Increase funding for SBR and reassess SBR outcomes and procedures.
VIII.
In light of comments from Middle States ( non-binding findings for improvement: Review the role of conveners across the campus and increase support if needed . - Evaluation Team representing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 21-24 March 2010), review and revise conveners’ position description.
Request funding for conveners compensation plan ( to be considered by Cabinet ).
The College will provide high quality academic experiences at the undergraduate and graduate
levels. (Goal 1.4)
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
The Director of First Year Seminar will oversee the following objectives.
A.
Working with GECCo, assess student learning outcomes for FYS.
B.
Disseminate results of the assessment and plan any programmatic changes or curricular revisions necessary.
Where national accreditation exists, Ramapo College’s academic programs will seek, receive, and continue accreditation (Business, Chemistry, Nursing, Social Work, and Teacher Education).
A.
Support ASB as the self study for AACSB accreditation is completed.
Funding for Peer Review Team requested from SPIF ($4,000 under consideration by IE for funding through SPIF).
B.
Implement recommendations from the Middle States self study.
Program Development.
A.
Art and Technology (within CA contract major).
Program Approval.
A.
Complete state approval for the MA Education Leadership.
B.
Submit Human Rights and Genocide Studies minor to the state for approval.
C.
Submit International Studies minor to the state as information item.
D.
Seek change of mission from state.
Program Implementation.
C.
SSHS will implement MA Sustainability Studies.
D.
SSHS will implement MA in Education Leadership.
E.
Continue implementation of the College Honors program.
Request funding for the College Honors Program from SPIF ($ 90,000 under
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consideration by IE for funding through SPIF ).
VI.
Schools will undertake degree verification for all new and continuing adjuncts.
VII.
The Center for Academic Success (CAS) will be reorganized.
The College will increase access and support for under represented students.
(Goal 1.5)
I.
II.
RICE will work with Enrollment Management to implement a comprehensive strategy/plan for international recruitment.
Review Academic Support and ensure that services will be available to meet the developmental and enhancement needs of all Ramapo College students.
Continue funding for reading specialists from SPIF ( under consideration by IE for funding through SPIF ).
V.
Review trends in enrollment of part-time and commuter students, identify service gaps, and develop a plan to increase enrollment of these students.
The College will place high priority on the provision and modernization of classrooms, laboratories, and other space consistent with academic plans.
(Goal 1.6)
I.
The College will operate all units efficiently and effectively in administration, communication,
practices, and use and provision of human and material resources. (Goal 2.1)
The Academic Policy and Procedures will be revised and implemented where necessary.
I.
II.
The College will actively seek initiatives, consistent with the College mission, that generate revenue.
(Goal 2.2)
Develop programs that meet the needs of adult learners.
Develop recruitment plans for enrolling adult learners.
The College will identify the strategic initiatives for which funding support will be
sought from the College Foundation. (Goal 2.3)
I.
The College will develop financial decision making models to address management
of assets and debts. (Goal 2.4)
The College will enhance effectiveness and efficiency by integrating institutional
planning, budget development, management, and assessment. (Goal 2.5)
The Office of Employee Relations will enhance effectiveness and efficiency through the following objectives.
A.
Finalize, consult with Deans’ Council, and negotiate the Adjunct Handbook.
B.
Guide, facilitate and negotiate Study Abroad procedures.
C.
In consultation with Deans’ Council, continue updating and revising the Faculty Handbook and associated procedures.
D.
Complete template application forms for faculty development programs in an online environment.
E.
Develop “five years in six” tenure proposal.
F.
Maintain and update Sedona information as applicable.
The College will reduce expenditures on non-renewable resources. (Goal 2.6)
The College will promote inclusive excellence in all aspects of institutional
planning. (Goal 2.7)
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The College will provide a wide range of activities and programs to meet the needs
of resident and commuting students and to engage community members. (Goal 3.1)
I.
The College will increase the number of activities that raise the level of intellectual discussion.
(Goal 3.2)
Offer colloquia for educators, mental health workers and school administrators in the larger community. This project constitutes the first step in the creation of an Institute for the Study of
Child Development at Ramapo College.
Request funding for three colloquia on Child Development ( $10,000 under consideration by IE for funding from SPIF ).
The College will seek improvement to the transportation links to the surrounding
community and to other transportation hubs. (Goal 3.3)
The College will increase opportunities for alumni, members of the local community and
current/prospective students and their families to participate in campus activities. (Goal 3.4)
The College will promote campus safety and security and lifestyle practices that focus on safety,
health and avoiding the abuse and illicit use of alcohol and other drugs. (Goal 3.5)
I.
The College will develop learning communities to bridge a student’s formal academic experience
and other components of college life. (Goal 3.6)
Develop plans for learning communities.
Request funding for stipends and operations ($ 25,000 under consideration by IE for funding through SPIF ).
The College will foster a hospitable and equitable environment for students, faculty
and staff. (Goal 3.7)
The College will enhance internal and external communication. (Goal 3.8)
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