Jan Benjamin

The College Council meeting agenda included the adoption of the agenda and committee member updates. Key discussion items involved reports from the Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee regarding course revisions for Accounting and Sociology, and a revision to the Major Residency Policy. A significant proposal to prohibit the recording of class sessions was also slated for discussion. Announcements were scheduled from the Student Council, Faculty Senate, HEO Council, and Administration. The document also contains minutes from a previous meeting where revisions were approved for academic programs, including a BA in Deviance, Crime and Culture, a New Certificate in Criminal Justice Foundations, and various course revisions and new courses across different departments.

The meeting, titled 'Safety and Justice Future Leaders Network: Career Exploration through Experiential Learning,' focused on cultivating future leaders in public safety and criminal justice careers. Key discussion points included the importance of conviction over mere commitment, the role of experiential learning, such as internships, in preparing students for evolving jobs, and building social capital. The president of John J College emphasized the institution's evolution from a police college to an entity focused on creating a just community ecosystem. Gratitude was expressed towards partners like the MacArthur Foundation, the Vulker Alliance, and the Aronson Family Foundation for their financial and strategic support, particularly for the Future Public Safety Scholars Program which provides paid experiential learning opportunities.

The meetings included discussions and approvals for the Budget Committee agenda items and minutes from August 25, 2025. Key actions involved approving earmarks for various initiatives, including Health Services, the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL), Quality of Life, Urban Male Initiative (UMI), and the Women's Leadership Collective, totaling $377,200.70. The Board also approved the Audit Committee Report and surplus commitments for Fiscal Year 2025, utilizing approximately $650,000 in surplus for staffing, raises for Association staff, and funding for student clubs. A motion regarding the Student Council scholarship continuity was tabled pending further review by the Auxiliary Corporation. During the Board of Directors session, the acceptance of the Budget Committee report was confirmed, and new business addressed issues with the Student Council's Fruit Basket Initiative collaboration with the Wellness Center regarding food insecurity programming.

This strategic plan outlines goals and outcomes across key areas including Accreditation/External Reporting, Assessment, Institutional Research, Planning, and Strategic Insights. The plan aims to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, support effective assessment processes for academic quality and student success, provide timely and accurate data for evidence-based decision-making, guide strategic and operational planning, and encourage a culture of evidence-informed decision-making through predictive analytics to enhance institutional effectiveness.

The College Council meeting agenda included the adoption of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the December 9, 2025, meeting. Key discussion items involved committee appointments for the Spring 2026 semester for the FPC, BPC, and PAC committees, with specific representatives named from the Criminal Justice Department. The Council reviewed reports from the Undergraduate Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee, which included proposals for the revision of the BA in Deviance, Crime and Culture, the creation of a New Certificate in Criminal Justice Foundations, and the addition of a new History course, HIS 1XX (135) American Environmental History. The Committee on Graduate Studies presented revisions for the MS in Emergency Management and proposed new graduate courses. A significant policy item on the agenda was the Policy Prohibiting Students from Recording Class Sessions, presented by the President of the Faculty Senate.