
Learning and Teaching Culture Policy
The New Jersey School of Architecture Learning and Teaching Culture Policy
The New Jersey School of Architecture Learning and Teaching Culture Policy
This document focuses on the New Jersey School of Architecture. We recognize the vital role of the School of Art + Design in creating and maintaining a progressive learning culture at Hillier College. As we receive more feedback from students and faculty in the School of Art + Design we will edit and expand the document to reflect the full breadth of learning communities in the Hillier College of Architecture and Design.
This Learning & Teaching Culture Policy (LTCP) is a living document, maintained by a Committee of students, faculty, and administrators, and designed to guide our learning community toward a productive, ethical, and healthy environment for students and faculty. This goal can only be achieved by ardently working together, both as a team and as committed members of this school. By nature of the institution and the object of our studies, we are all always learning and practicing how to operate and function to the best of our abilities.
In addition to the overarching values and ethics of the university, the New Jersey School of Architecture (NJSoA) is dedicated to: optimism, diversity and solidarity, professional conduct, constructive evaluations and instruction, collaborative community, health and wellbeing, time management and school-life-work balance, respectful stewardship and space management, and well-rounded enrichment. The pedagogy of architecture and design is as complex as it is rewarding, and as dynamically evolving as the people who learn and teach it. That understanding is the core of this document.
A- Optimism
B- Diversity & Solidarity
C- Professional Conduct
D- Constructive Evaluations & Instruction
E- Collaborative Community
F- Health and Wellbeing
G- Time Management & School-Life-Work Balance
H- Respectful Stewardship & Space Management
I- Well-Rounded Enrichment
A. Optimism
B. Diversity & Solidarity
C. Professional Conduct
D. Constructive Evaluations & Instruction
E. Collaborative Community
F. Health & Wellbeing
G. Time Management & School-Life-Work Balance
H. Respectful Stewardship & Space Management
I. Well-Rounded Enrichment
As a frequently updated Learning & Teaching Culture Policy is required by the 2020 NAAB Conditions for Accreditation (PC7, page 2), the Committee will revisit this document as often as necessary in order to stay connected and attentive to our learning community. The LTCP is always available to the public via the school’s website, email, physical distribution, and included in each studio’s syllabus. This committee (a minimum of three students and three faculty members, as well as the Student Engagement Coordinator) will meet once every month to discuss any issues brought up through implementation(see below). In addition to this, over a school year 3 sections of this document will be reviewed and necessary revisions will be made. This will result in the full document being revised every 3 years.
This task force is also responsible for interpreting the document and considering grievances, suggestions, and discussions, and potentially advising in the event of greater violations. Complaints can be submitted to the Learning & Teaching Culture Task Force by emailing the Student Task Force Liaison.
The Learning & Teaching Culture Task Force encourages continuous communication throughout the semester with critics, peer mentors, your peers, and faculty. If an issue arises where a student feels a critic, faculty member or another student is not following this policy, it should be communicated to that critic, faculty member or student in order to solve the issue directly. If the issue isn’t resolved, the student should contact their Coordinator to solve the issue with them. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, the student should go to the Task Force Liaison or Learning Culture Committee who will speak with the Director of the School of Architecture or other administrators to solve the issue.
Before the end of each semester, students and faculty will conduct a Town Hall Meeting to discuss issues that can be addressed in future drafts.
Signed copy of the document: The New Jersey School of Architecture Learning and Teaching Culture Policy