This internal web site consists of documents and linked material related to the ongoing discussion on the nature of student and faculty work. It provides access to information that has formed the basis of the ongoing conversation and action.

Specific documents and links are presented below. As additional information becomes available, it will be added to the site.
 

Spring Semester 2003-2004

• Final Report of  the Conference Committee:  Implementing Faculty Work in the Transformed System

• January 22, 2004.  Opening letter from Provost Briggs

Fall Semester 2003-2004

• September 10, 2003.  Opening letter from Provost Briggs.

Spring Semester 2002-2003

• On June 4, 2003 there was a "Syllabus Exchange" at which faculty members shared syllabi that they have developed for transformed courses.  Some of the syllabi distributed that day as well as others provided subsequently can be found at this site.
• On May 13, 2003, Provost Stephen Briggs sent a  letter providing an update on academic
  transformation (i.e., the student and faculty work project) and summarizing the work that has been accomplished during academic year 2002-2003. 

• On May 6, 2003, the Committee on Faculty Affairs submitted as its final recommendation a report entitled, “Implementing the 3-3 Workload for Faculty” with an introductory memo from its chair, Ruth Palmer, noting that this report, “represents the deliberate and reasoned work of the members of this committee, relying on (a) the oral and written testimonials of faculty members, departments and some schools; and (b) current and past governance documents of the College.”  Dr. Palmer went on to indicate CFA’s “hope that these recommendations can now form the basis for continuing discussions and decisions regarding the transformation of workload for faculty.”    This report has been transmitted to President Gitenstein.

• On April 3, 2003, the Committee on Academic Policies submitted its final recommendation on "A Design for Liberal Learning" which has been transmitted to President Gitenstein.
• On February 28, 2003, the Committee on Faculty Affairs (CFA) submitted its Draft Final Recommendation on “Implementing The 3-3 Workload For Faculty” to the Steering Committee.  There have been significant changes from the Preliminary Report resulting from:  1) testimony received from faculty in response to the Preliminary Report; and 2) additional information received from the Provost’s Office.  Therefore, CFA recommends, and the Steering Committee concurs, that there should be an additional opportunity for testimony before a Final Report is transmitted to President Gitenstein. 

• Departments and programs submitted responses to the Provost’s call for each to identify at the undergraduate level the essential ideas for the program and the courses that define the program.  Click here  for a chart with links to the materials that have been submitted by individual programs and departments. 

Fall Semester 2002-2003

• The Committee on Faculty Affairs submitted its preliminary recommendation on faculty workload with the following introductory comments from its chair, Ruth Palmer:

For the past few months, the Committee on Faculty Affairs (CFA) has been working on the Steering Committee charge: “delineating specific means for implementing the 3-3 workload for faculty and addressing any other issues in the [CAP/CFA] report related to faculty work”.

This charge presented a challenge for us specifically, because the roadmaps were few and the roads have not been well traveled. However, in facing the challenge, we have relied on the input of departments and schools, current governance documents of the College, the written/invited testimonials of faculty members, and the deliberate, reasoned work of the members of CFA. 

Following the timeline of the charge, we are forwarding to you this preliminary report on our work. The document is presented in three sections addressing:

• Proposed Weighting System for Transformed Courses

• Expectations and Procedures for Faculty Work: Teaching, Scholarship, Advising/Mentoring and Service; and

• Additional Issues

Beginning in early Spring 2003, the Committee will schedule multiple meetings and other opportunities for public discussion, in order to complete our final recommendations by March 1, 2003. 

The Committee on Academic Programs submitted its preliminary recommendation , “A New Design for Liberal Learning”, with the following introductory comments from its chair, Richard Kamber:

We have built our preliminary recommendation on the foundation afforded by The College of New Jersey’s Mission Statement, the Guiding Principles for Academic Work, and the report of the General Education Advisory Council.  We have shaped this recommendation in light of suggestions and ideas from students, faculty, and staff.   We believe it reflects the collective thinking of the campus at large as well as the careful deliberations of the members of CAP.

We are fully cognizant, however, that the attached document is a preliminary recommendation.  Between now and the end of February, we expect and encourage vigorous discussion of the issues contained in this recommendation.  CAP will work with the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the Staff Senate, and other groups on campus to create opportunities for open discussion.   We also strongly encourage the submission of written responses--by email if possible.  Please feel free to write to me at rkamber@tcnj.edu, and I will share your message with other members of CAP.

• Presentation by Grant Wiggins on September 18, 2002
• FAQ's on Curricular Transformation at TCNJ
• Results of the Informal Spring 2002 Survey of TCNJ Faculty on Transformative Change
• Opening Letter 2002 -- the work ahead (word)
• GEAC's  April, 2002 "A Framework for General Education" was forwarded by the Steering Committee to the Committee on Academic Affairs (CAP) for review.  CAP's recommendations on a new general education program are due by December, 2002.
• In Spring, 2002 the Committee on Academic Programs (CAP) and the Committee on Faculty Affairs (CFA) made a report recommending the transformation to 3-3 system for faculty and a 4-4 system for students.  By December, 2002, CFA will issue detailed recommendations for implementing those recommendations.

• Memorandum from Provost (2-13-02)
• Charge from Steering Committee to Faculty Affairs and Committee on Academic Programs re Transformation of Student and Faculty Work
• Preliminary Proposal from the Committee on Academic Programs and the Committee on Faculty Affairs (3-02)
• Report of Best Experiences (submitted by the Student Government Association-April 17, 2002)
• A Framework for General Education in TCNJ’s Transformed Curriculum (Submitted by the General Education Advisory Council-April 29, 2002)
• Student and Faculty Work at TCNJ:  A Final Recommendation (Submitted by CAP/CFA, May 1, 2002)

• August Memorandum from Provost Setting out the Work Ahead
• Faculty Senate Reports and Responses
• School Reports of Pedagogical "Best Practices"
• School and Department Reports on How a 32-34 Course Model Could be Designed
• White Paper on General Education

• Memorandum from Provost
• Summary of Department and Unit responses
• Full Set of Responses from Departments and Units

Documents for Discussion at Retreat

• Memorandum from Provost
• Guiding Principles for Academic work
• Faculty Senate Work Group on Faculty Work:  Operational Models
• Faculty Senate Work Group on Academic Programs:  Report

Responses from Retreat Discussion

• Introductory Letter
• Table I:  Summary of Opinion on Guiding Principles
• Table II:  Summary of Bold Ideas
• Full Set of Responses from Departments and Units

• President's Remarks
• Provost's Remarks