Academic Development/Elective Academic Programs
Annual Report for 2017-18
Telephone: 718-281-5494
Email: themrajbenny@qcc.cuny.edu
To: Jannette Urciuoli, Secretary, Steering Committee, Academic Senate
From: Tirandai Hemraj-Benny, Chairperson
Date: August 30, 2018
Subject: Annual Report for the Committee on Academic Development/Elective Academic Programs for 2017/2018
I) COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2017-2018)
- Rezan Akpinar, Health, Physical Education and Dance
- Merlinda Drini, Engineering Technology
- Tirandai Hemraj-Benny (Chairperson), Chemistry
- Ravi Manachanallur, Mathematics, and Computer Sciences
- Neera Mohess, Library
- Ilse Schrynemakers, English
- Vazgen Shekoyan, Physics
- Anuradha Srivastava, Biological Sciences & Geology
- Jodi Van Der Horn-Gibson, Speech Communication & Theatre Arts
- Kathleen Landy, Academic Affairs, President's Liaison
II) MEETING TIMES
The committee members met six (6) times during 2017-2018: Sept. 20th, 2017; Oct. 4th, 2017; Nov. 1st, 2017; March 28th, 2018; April 25th, 2018; May 2nd, 2018.
III) WEBPAGE
All minutes and agenda for Fall 2017-Spring 2018 were confirmed by the Chairperson to be ADA compliant and were sent to David Moretti to be posted on the website.
IV) ACTIVITIES:
A) Sub-Committees/ Sub-Groups
Three sub-committees/ sub-groups were formed to address some of the committee’s charges.
1) Promoting Events
Drs. Anuradha Srivastava, Rezan Akpinar, and Ilse Schrynemakers volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
- They actively promoted CETL events for faculty development in department meetings (Biological Sciences and Geology, Health Physical Education and Dance, English) during Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters.
2) Reviewing and Editing the Bylaws of the ADC Committee
Dr. Jodi Van Der Horn-Gibson and Neera Mohess volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
- Drs. Joel Kuszai and Emily Tai, members of the Steering Committee, were invited to the committee’s meeting on March 28th, 2018, to provide guidance on evolving the Committee’s Bylaws Charges.
- The committee members agreed to edit the Bylaws Charges as the following:
a) From “Arrange for the presentation of lectures, seminars, workshops, and exhibits to specifically include effectiveness of instruction” to “Promote and/or arrange for the presentation of lectures, seminars, workshops, and exhibits to specifically include effectiveness of instruction.”
b) From “Oversee and promote activities beneficial to elective programs such as the CUNY-BA/BS, International Studies, and Honors program” to “Review and/or promote activities beneficial to elective programs such as the CUNY-BA/BS, International Studies, and Honors program.”
3) Faculty Survey on Student Evaluation of Faculty Form
Drs. Merlinda Drini, Tirandai Hemraj-Benny, Ravi Manachanallur, and Vazgen Shekoyan volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
A survey was sent to the faculty in Spring 2017. The results obtained are summarized in Attachment A. A majority of faculty who responded to the survey were satisfied with the current Student Evaluation of Faculty Form. It was determined that some of the questions asked were worded ambiguously.
B) Updating the Guide for Committee Members
Dr. Tirandai Hemraj-Benny updated “A Guide for Committee on Academic Development/Elective Academic Programs Members.” Additional updates will be made upon clarification from the Steering Committee.
C) Faculty/Student Development
Dr. Anuradha Srivastava promoted and supported student development workshops in collaboration with student activity clubs. All the student events held by Campus Club- Women in Science for Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 were supported, promoted and co-sponsored by the Senate Committee on Academic Development/Elective Academic Programs. Student events that were supported are listed below:
Brown Bag Lunch Seminar Series Fall 2017
i) Everything the sound touches: Hot topics in Acoustics research
ii) Conceptual and terminological issues surrounding weight and weightlessness
ii) Using multiple-possibility-structured physics problems in introductory physics courses and investigating its impact on students
iv) Physics students research symposium
Other Club Events Fall 2017
i) Journey to Survival, speaker, Dr. Jana Andrews- Breast Cancer Awareness month
ii) Breast Cancer Research, speaker, Dr. Regina Sullivan- Breast Cancer Awareness month
iii) B.S. Public Health Information Students with York College, speaker, Dr. Nicholas Grosskopf
Brown Bag Lunch Seminar Spring 2018
i) Teaching measurement uncertainty in introductory physics course
Other Club Events Spring 2018
i) Breast Cancer: An Eastern View, speaker, Rezan Akpinar
ii) Diversity in STEM Panel Discussion
iii) Bombshell, A Heddy Lamar Story: Women in Science
V) COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2018-2019)
- Rezan Akpinar, Health, Physical Education and Dance
- Jodi Van Der Horn-Gibson, Speech Communication & Theatre Arts
- Merlinda Drini, Engineering Technology
- Tirandai Hemraj-Benny (Chairperson), Chemistry
- David Pham, Mathematics and Computer Sciences
- Susan Riekert, Nursing
- Renee Rhodd, Academic Affairs
- Ilse Schrynemakers, English
- Anuradha Srivastava, Biological Sciences & Geology
- Michael Pullin, Academic Affairs, President's Liaison
VI) ELECTION
On May 2nd, 2018 at 1:00 pm elections for Chairperson and Secretary were held. Elections were held by secret ballot. Six (6) voting committee members were present. A motion was made that the person receiving the second-highest vote would be the co-chair.
(a) Continuing Chairperson: 6 votes for Tirandai Hemraj-Benny
(b) Co-Chair: 6 votes for Rezan Akpinar
(c) Secretary: 6 votes for Renee Rhodd
VII) ACTION PLAN (2018-2019)
The committee members propose the following action plan for 2018-2019:
a) Student evaluation of faculty survey: The committee will create additional surveys consisting of a few questions utilizing backward design – designing the surveys with the goals of the surveys in mind.
b) Seminars, lectures, and workshops: the committee will continue to partner with CETL to promote selected events. In addition, faculty will be surveyed to determine their interest and needs. The committee will continue to offer student development workshops in collaboration with student activity clubs.
c) Updating the Bylaws Charge for 2018-2019: An official request to change the current Bylaws will be sent to the Bylaws Committee.
d) Updating the Guide for Committee members: The members will consult with the Steering Committee to clarify information written in the guide.
