Official Message from the College President November 11, 2016 Dear Students, Colleagues, and Friends, Individuals, departments, and organizations across the country and across our campus are engaging in dialogues centered around the presidential election. For those of you participating in these discussions, thank you. And, for those of you who may feel anxious, discouraged, or even dispassionate about the societal impact of this election cycle, I encourage you to reject the false comfort of isolation and instead to engage with your peers, colleagues, faculty, and staff in ways that promote mutual understanding and respect. We all, always, have something to learn and something to share. Today is Veteran’s Day. After a tumultuous week, it is fitting to reflect more deeply on its historical significance. On November 11, 1918 fighting between the allied nations and Germany ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The resolution passed by the United States Congress in 1926 which established Veteran’s Day includes, in pertinent part: …the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and… …inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. As we look to the future of America and, more locally to our campus, it is imperative that we continue to hold fast to these tenets of good will, mutual understanding, and friendly relations with all peoples. We cannot take for granted our institutional values which state, in part, that we are guided by: Respecting each other and our environment—we are an open, inclusive, supportive, and sustainable community. We advance our values through our good will, mutual understanding, and friendly relations with all peoples. To exhibit any behaviors that fail to honor these tenets and our values would be a transgression of the very principles for which Ramapo College of New Jersey has always served: to educate and to learn from one another. The College’s Values Statement was approved by the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) in September. It is available in full here. The PAC will meet again on November 18 at 11AM in Trustees Pavilion. Its agenda will include an overview of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Compliance and Equity. All are welcome to attend PAC meetings. Peter P. Mercer President Ramapo College of New Jersey [email protected] Official Message to Faculty from Professor Tae Kwak, President of Faculty Assembly November 11, 2016 https://www.aaup.org/news/higher‐education‐after‐2016‐election#.WCVAe8mmZHt Above is a link to the American Association of University Professors' (AAUP) memorandum on "Higher Education after the 2016 Election," concerning the potential threat to academic freedom that may follow the newly elected executive government. Many of you have already read it, or have independently had similar concerns of your own.
Tae Yang Kwak [email protected] Associate Professor of History Salameno School of Humanities and Global Studies President of the Faculty Assembly Ramapo College of New Jersey 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 Official Message from Melissa Van Der Wall, Dean of Students November 12, 2016 Dear Students: As a follow up to President Mercer’s message to the community, through collaboration by multiple campus units, the College is planning to offer opportunities for students to engage in a thoughtful investigation of today’s changing society and what your role looks like within that context. Details for this program will be released in the upcoming days and I hope that you will join me to unite as one campus to hear and respect each other’s opinions. I recognize that there are mixed emotions during this time. Counseling Services is a confidential resource for you to meet with professionals who will help you manage emotions and stressors. Please contact Counseling Services at 201‐684‐7522 to schedule an appointment or, for emergencies, you can call the Emergency On Call Counselor after business hours or the weekends at 201‐684‐6666. In the spirit of exercising self‐care, you might be looking for a space to decompress and be together with your peers. Some events that might be of interest to you are:  Saturday, 11/12/16 at 11:00am: Ramapo Men’s Soccer (#1 seeded) vs. College of Staten Island (Athletic Field)  Saturday, 11/12/16 at 2:00pm: Ramapo Men’s and Women’s Swimming will host NJAC rival Rowan University (Bradley Center)  Saturday, 11/12/16 at 8:00pm: Of Mice and Men (Sharp Theater at the Berrie Center) Get lost in the timeless story of two migrant workers on their journey to create a better future. Directed by Ramapo College Professor, Maria Vail, this play will immerse you in western America during the 1930s and is sure to make you dream of rabbits. The performance will also be showing Sunday the 13th at 8:00pm, Buy your tickets at the box office.  Saturday, 11/12/16 at 10:00pm: Home Grown Music Festival (Friends Hall) Join the College Programming Board for the annual Homegrown Music Festival. This event will feature performances from various Ramapo student bands. Food will be served!  Monday, 11/14/16 at 2:00pm: inQlusive (Women’s Center, C220) A weekly discussion/support group for LGBTQIA+ identified students with different topics every week.  Monday, 11/14/16 at 9:45pm: The League of Extraordinary Genders (L.E.G.) (Women’s Center, C220)
A weekly discussion/support group for transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, agender, bigender, gender fluid, gender non‐conforming, or any other non‐cisgender or non‐binary identified students with different topics every week.  Tuesday, 11/16/16 at 6:00pm: Sister Connections (Women’s Center, C220) This bi‐weekly (twice a month/every other week) group is for women of color to find community and support.  Tuesday, 11/16/16 at 7:30pm: Women’s Basketball vs. Yeshiva University (Bradley Center) Come out to support the Women’s Basketball team in their home opener and first game of the season. Ongoing spaces for student engagement are:  Black Student Union, Student Center Room 225  Bradley Center for Open Recreation  Civic and Community Engagement Center, Student Center Room 213  Council on Faith and Spirituality 
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Dean of Students Office, C212 Krame Center for Contemplative Studies and Mindful Living, ASB 420 Mindfulness Group for Natural Healing, Thursdays from 3‐4pm in ASB 420 Public Safety, C102 (open 24 hours and offers free coffee and popcorn to all students) Roukema Center for International Education, ASB 123 Student Government Association, Student Center Room 223 Women’s Center, C220 As cited in the College’s strategic plan, Ramapo is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all and invested in developing programs that demonstrate the value of diversity, self‐awareness, examination of multiple perspectives, and respect for others. Any student who challenges these principles by engaging in discrimination or harassment will be subjected to action under the College’s Non‐Discrimination Policy. I support you and fully endorse you finding ways that are appropriate and crucial for you to express yourself. Change, while daunting and uncertain, represents a time for you to be authentic about yourself and genuine with each other. I encourage you to explore your values, decide what matters most to you, broaden your perspective, and allow yourself to feel energized by the discussions and engagement ahead. I am available to see students on Mondays from 12:00pm to 2:00pm during my open hours in C212, by appointment, or via phone and e‐mail (201)‐684‐7457 or [email protected]. Very truly yours, Melissa Van Der Wall Dean of Students