Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the April edition of The Forum. This month, we witnessed an extraordinary moment in our institutional history with the largest gathering of faculty, lecturers, and administrators I have seen at NJIT. While the vote on the teaching faculty ranks proposal (125 Yes, 73 No, 5 Abstain) did not reach the required two-thirds majority, the unprecedented level of engagement at the IFM speaks volumes. The dialogue is far from over, and I am committed to building on this momentum to find a path forward that reflects our collective vision for equity and growth.

This milestone was made possible by the tireless efforts of many, and I want to specifically thank the Ad-Hoc Committee, the CFRR, and the Faculty Senate leadership for the years of work that sparked this vital conversation. This conversation is just beginning. Look for a special 'Perspectives on Progress' series in the May and June editions of The Forum, where we will feature diverse viewpoints from across our governance bodies and faculty ranks.

Even as we navigate these significant policy discussions, our core mission of faculty support and excellence continues. Throughout April, we successfully conducted essential sessions for the upcoming P&T cycle and sabbatical applications, ensuring our faculty have the tools they need for long-term career success (see Quicklinks section for recording). It is also a privilege to see our colleagues recognized on the national stage; please join me in celebrating Dr. Sara C. Zapico and Dr. Cesar Bandera for their induction as Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors.

As we look toward May, I hope to see many of you at our final Faculty Fridays May 8th and U-Rise Mentor training on May 7, and ultimately at Commencement on May 20 and 22. Thank you for your passion and for making your voices heard this month. Let’s finish the academic year strong.

Warmly,
Wunmi
Omowunmi "Wunmi" Sadik, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry & Env. Science

Call for Submissions: The Forum – Summer Discussion

The Forum belongs to the NJIT faculty community, and we want to ensure it reflects our shared commitment to dialogue and progress. For our summer editions, we are soliciting contributions for our "Letters to the VPFA" discussion board.

Whether you are a department chair, a university lecturer, or a faculty member with a perspective on academic freedom, federal directives, or our recent governance milestones, we invite you to participate.

Submission Guidelines
Topic: Impact of federal developments or faculty governance milestones.
Length: Under 300 words.
Deadline: May 20, June 20 or July 20.

We look forward to hearing your voices and continuing the conversation.

Commencement:
Master's & Ph.D. hooding Ceremony - May 20, 2026 at Bloom Wellness and Events Center
Undergraduate Ceremony - May 22, 2026 at Prudential Center

URise Mentorship Workshop May 7, 12 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 

Please contact Dr. Shivon Boodhoo, Director of Faculty Awards for help and advice with nominations for prestigious awards and prizes (boodhoo@njit.edu).