Task Force for the Future of Baruch

Thursday, September 3, 2020

4:00 PM

ZOOM Video Conference

Meeting Convened: 4:03 PM

1.      Reports from the Subcommittees:

· Subcommittee #1 (Course Delivery): Until the College is ready to say that everyone has to attend class in person, the subcommittee doesn’t believe that a hybrid class format is practical or equitable. There will be students who need to stay home and these students will feel as though they are at a disadvantage. This course of action seems to be the most practical and equitable way to continue course delivery in the Spring similar to what the College has done in the Fall. The subcommittee also wants to ensure that we aren’t giving the impression that we are rushing to get all of our courses online. As we think about online courses, we need to think about what’s expected of the instructor and the students. We also need to make sure that there is connectivity between faculty and students during these online sessions.

· Subcommittee #2 (Faculty Support): The subcommittee agreed with subcommittee one in saying that it’s important to define what an online course is and what the expectations/guidelines of both faculty and students are in an online course. Additionally, it’s important for faculty to support students in the same ways that they already have. We need to keep in mind that the more we disseminate information, the more likely it is to reach students and faculty. Additionally, it was discussed that we need more full-time faculty to support the enrollment growth that Baruch is currently experiencing.

· Subcommittee #3 (Technical Support): The biggest crisis in terms of technology is the staffing. Enrollment is up since last year and it puts a strain on personnel resources across the college. There is a critical need for technology  both faculty and staff. Additionally, there’s a critical need for support in BCTC and the CTL.

· Subcommittee #4 (Student Support & Success): The subcommittee explained that when putting together their report, they tried to remember the reasons why they do what they do, why they support public education, and why CUNY and the mission of CUNY are so important now more than ever. The first reason is that students are central to everything we do. Also, communication is critical. How a university communicates during a crisis is how the university survives and thrives after the crisis. The members of the subcommittee believe that we are responsible for creating accessible transmissions to the college community. Additionally, compassion should be integral to every system and process within Baruch. We need to promote a community culture of empowerment and trust because this is what will generate student success. One of the long-term recommendations from the subcommittee is that the College should build a digital student success portal and then a center, which would be an in-person version of the student success portal. These portals/centers would consolidate all of the various resources that support students with crisis needs, access needs, goals, and overall success. The subcommittee members emphasized that staff is important, and the academic success of students depends on good teachers. We need to remember our success because Baruch is a leader, and we can build on that success.

· Subcommittee #5 (Staff Support): The staff subcommittee will continue working in September while the other subcommittees take a “pause.” The staff pre-survey announcement went out last Thursday and the staff technology experience survey will be going out next week.  The employee experiences survey will be going out the week after the technology survey. While the subcommittee waits for responses from their surveys, they will formulate short-term recommendations.

Meeting Ended: 4:57 PM