RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
UNIVERSITY SENATE


MINUTES: Regular Meeting of the University Senate

DATE: April 27, 2001

TIME AND PLACE: During recess of 1:10 p.m. Annual Meeting
 Trayes Hall B, Douglass College Center, 100 George Street, Douglass Campus

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Adelson, Axelrod, Barone, Bell, Bhoj, Bittner, Borisovets, Boylan, Caprio, Carlton, Colaizzi, Connell, Cooper, Cotter, Cowley, Cragin, DeCarlo, Deutsch, Diner, Eramian, Esser, Falk, Fechter, Forman, Friedrich, Gary, Gaunt, Goldman, Goldmark, Hall, Hamm, Hartman, Haugerud, Hirsh, Hitchner, J. Jackson, Janes, Kamienski, Kelly, Kennedy, Killingsworth, Kim, Kirschner, Kleiman, Knee, Kuenyehia, Laguna-Diaz, Lang, Lattimer, Lawrence, Leath, Lee, Li, Maitland, Manganaro, Manhoff, Markowitz, McCloughan, McKay, McKeever, McNeal, James Miller, Jason Miller, Monfils, Morrow, Naus, Nordstrom, O’Connor, Oren, Panayotatos, Parikh, Penfield, Puniello, Rabinowitz, Ramsay, Redd, Robertson, Rohr, Roth, Saidel, Samuels, Saniefard, Schlegel, Scott, Seneca, Shailor, Simmons, Singer, Slawsky, P. Snyder, Sparano, Spencer, Stein, Strom, Sullivan, Szatrowski, Tello, Tripolitis,  Tuckman, Vershon, Vodak, Wadia, Walker-Andrews, Wasserman, Wilkinson, Winterbauer, Wozniak, Zaborszky, Znayenko, Zucker

EXCUSED:  Axelrod, Barone, Davidson, R. Dennis, Eramian, Fechter, Forman, Friedrich, Goldman, Goodman, Griffith, Hartman, Hyndman, Janes, Jesse, Kamienski, Kennedy, Killingsworth, Krueckeberg, Leontiades, Li, Marsh, Martinez-Fernandez, Monfils, Moore, Perlman, Regulska, Shailor, Sparano, Strom, Sumner, Tripolitis, Tuckman

ABSENT:   Andalia, Bay, Bittner, Blasi, Boucher, Breton, Burdea, Bushnell, Cizewski, Darkenwald, DeGloma, E. Diamond, M. Diamond, Felson, M. Jackson, Kalafat, Keating, Klein, Kuenyehia, Lehman, Maradonna, Marcone, Massachaele, Matsuda, Padgett, Pina, Rijhsinghani, Scheinbeim, Sheikh, Singer, R. Snyder, Stahley, Zucker

ATTENDANCE SUMMARY:   Faculty:  Of  85 total:  50 present (59%), 16 excused (19%), 19 absent (22%)
Students:  Of  47 total:  30 present (64%), 6 excused (13%), 11 absent (23%)
Administrators:  Of 38 total:  24 present (63%), 11 excused (29%), 3 absent (9%)
Alumni:  Of 6 total:  5 present (83%), 1 excused (17%), 0 absent
View Senate attendance record for this year.

NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Ishayik, Wright

PRESIDING OFFICER:  Kathleen Scott, Chairperson

Chairperson Scott called the meeting to order, declared that there was a quorum, and welcomed everyone to the last meeting of the 2000-2001 Senate.  She commented on the ongoing efforts to revitalize the Senate, on the success of the new committee structure, and on the large number of Senate actions over the past year.  She reminded Senators to select a committee and return committee-preference forms to the Senate office.  She thanked Senator Alex Goldmark for his service as Senate Parliamentarian, Secretary Swalagin for his efforts in increasing the Senate’s web-presence and use of electronic communications, and Senate Administrative Assistant Linda Mickelsen for her help.  She also thanked President Lawrence and the entire University Senate for their work and cooperation over the past year.

 SECRETARY’S REPORT:  Agenda:  The agenda was approved as distributed.  Minutes:  the Minutes of March 23, 2001 were approved as distributed by the Secretary.
· Communications:  Three letters from President Lawrence acknowledging receipt of the Senate’s advice, and outlining plans for implementing Senate recommendations on:

· Review of Teaching Assistant Training;
· Workplace Violence Policy; and
· Posting Student Instructional Rating System to the Web.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:  President Lawrence’s Administrative Report included comments on:  congratulations and thanks to the University Senate for its advice and resolutions; board approval of the $500 million fundraising campaign, and the need for the entire Rutgers community to be involved in fundraising; faculty and student awards and honors; presentation of Champion of Science awards to Rod Frelinghuysen and Rush Holt; a recent performance by Rutgers students at Avery Fisher Hall; and a summary of major speakers’ topics and comments at the recent AAU Centennial meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

· University Structure and Governance Committee - James Miller and Kathleen Scott, Committee Co-chairs.
Senator Miller summarized his committee’s Report and Resolution on Unnumbered Charge, to “Determine whether part-time lecturers (PTLs) should have representation on the University Senate, and, if so, how their representation should be implemented.”  Senator Wadia moved to amend the report to note that efforts should be made to contact every PTL and lecturer to solicit participation in the election and Senate.  Senator Miller accepted the amendment.  Senator Boylan asked how the Senate could supervise the elections.  Senator Miller responded that it was the committee’s intention and hope that PTLs would conduct their own elections in the future, with the assistance of the campus administration.  On card vote, the report’s resolution carried, as follows:

Whereas, part-time lecturers (PTLs) and annuals teach a significant percentage of undergraduate courses at Rutgers University, and
Whereas, PTLs and annuals have expertise and experience that adds a major dimension to the teaching programs of the University, and
Whereas, PTLs and annuals often have little formal interaction with their teaching colleagues at the University, and
Whereas, PTLs and annuals are not presently represented in the University Senate,
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Senate asks the Board of Governors to amend the Senate's enabling regulations to entitle part-time lecturers and annuals to one Senator from each of our three campuses, to be elected annually, and
Be It Further Resolved, that the initial elections be conducted by the University Senate by notifying all part-time lecturers and annuals that elections will be held, by indicating that PTLs and annuals who have taught at the University for at least three semesters during the last three years are eligible to serve, by asking whether they choose to be on the ballot, and by conducting the elections, and
Be It Further Resolved, that the PTL and annual representatives on the University Senate will be responsible for communicating with their constituents to ensure that issues important to them are addressed.
· Faculty Affairs and Personnel Committee - Paul Leath and Barbara Lee, Committee Co-chairs
Senator Leath summarized his committee’s Report and Resolution on Charge S-0004, to “Study the possibility of re-instituting the evaluations of administrators by faculty.”  Senator Markowitz proposed a friendly amendment to include Faculty Councils among those receiving the report proposed in the resolution.  Senator Leath did not accept the amendment, noting that the committee had discussed it.  Following discussion, on card vote, the report’s resolution carried, as follows:
Whereas, the University Senate’s Faculty Affairs and Personnel Committee has examined and reported on the evaluation of administrators by faculty and students; and
Whereas, the University Senate has reviewed the Committee’s report and its recommendations, finding those recommendations to be sound and in the best interests of Rutgers University;
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate endorses the Report on Evaluation of Administrators by Faculty and Students, and urges the Administration to implement its Recommendations.
· Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee - Gary Roth and Mark Vodak, Committee Co-chairs
Senator Roth summarized his committee’s Report and Resolution on Charge S-0001, to “Review…minimum grade-point average required for good academic standing…”.  Without further discussion, on card vote, the report’s resolution carried unanimously, as follows:
Whereas, the University Senate’s Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee has examined and reported on the Minimum Grade Point average; and
Whereas, the University Senate has reviewed the Committee’s Report and its Recommendations, finding those recommendations to be sound and in the best interests of Rutgers University;
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate endorses the Report on the Minimum Grade Point Average, and urges the administration to implement its proposed changes to University Regulations.
· Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee - Gary Roth and Mark Vodak, Committee Co-chairs
Senator Roth summarized his committee’s Report and Resolution on Charge S-0101, to “Review…drop/add periods…”  Senator Bell moved to amend by adding the following:  “To further test the significance of late adding of classes, the registrar shall tally the difference in grades for add-ons and non-add-ons in Fall 2001, and report the results, preferably by day of add-on, if possible.”  The motion was seconded.  Following discussion, the amendment carried by card vote of 38 in favor, 31 opposed, 3 abstentions.  Senator Parikh proposed the following amendment:  “In addition, if the Registrar’s office cannot provide a minimum of 36 hours of access to the registration system over any weekend period, then there will be 7 business days to drop, and 8 business days to add.”  The motion was seconded.  Senator Parikh moved an amendment to add a deadline of June 30.  President Lawrence committed to keeping the registration system available on weekends.  Based on that commitment, Senator Parikh withdrew his amendment.  On card vote, the amended report’s resolution carried, as follows:
Whereas, the University Senate’s Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee has examined and reported on the Drop/Add Period; and
Whereas, the University Senate has reviewed the Committee’s Report and its Recommendations, finding those recommendations to be sound and in the best interests of Rutgers University;
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate endorses the Report on the Drop/Add Period, and urges the administration to implement its recommendations.
· Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee  -  Gary Roth and Mark Vodak, Committee Co-chairs
· (with input from) Student Affairs Committee  - David Singer and Kim Wozniak, Committee Co-chairs
Senator Roth summarized his committee’s Report and Resolution on Charge S-9917, to “Report and provide recommendations on the status of housing and related services and their relationship to graduate and undergraduate enrollment…”  The report was written with substantial input from the Student Affairs Committee.  Senator Jason Miller proposed a friendly amendment to the report’s proposed committee structure, as follows:  “B. Faculty:  There shall be seven faculty members, elected by the Faculty Caucus of the University Senate, with at least one representative from each of the Newark, Camden and New Brunswick campuses.”  The amendment was not accepted.  Senator Jason Miller moved the amendment.  The motion to amend was seconded.  During discussion of the amendment, Senator Manhoff asked why no alumni representative was included on the proposed committee.  Chairperson Scott asked Senator Manhoff to hold that until discussion of the amendment on the floor was concluded.  Following discussion, on card vote, the amendment carried.  Senator Naus moved addition of an alumni member of the proposed committee, to be elected by the Alumni Federation.  The amendment was accepted as friendly.  Senator Cragin moved to amend the proposed committee’s student membership requirement to include “…with at least one (1) of the four being a graduate student.”  The amendment was accepted as friendly.  On card vote, the amended report’s resolution carried, as follows:
Whereas, increasing enrollment is currently, and will continue to be, an issue of great importance at Rutgers University; and,
Whereas, student services have not increased at the same rate as enrollment; and,
Whereas, this is affecting the quality of student life on all three campuses;
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the University Senate accepts the recommendations on this and related issues put forth in the joint report of its Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee and Student Affairs Committee; and
Be it Further Resolved, that the committee recommended in the joint report be established by the Chair of the University Senate and the President of the University by June 1, 2001; and
Be it Finally Resolved, that the recommended committee should issue its initial report to the Senate Executive Committee no later than its April 2002 meeting, to be docketed on the Senate’s May 2002 agenda.  Said initial report should address each of the issues with which the committee has been charged.
· Instruction, Curricula and Advising Committee - Natalie Borisovets, Committee Chair
· and  Equal Opportunity Committee - Pheroze Wadia, Committee Chair
Senator Borisovets summarized her committee’s and the Equal Opportunity Committee’s Report and Resolution on Charge S-0005, to “Review and comment on the May 2000 Report of the Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes Curriculum Task Force.”  On behalf of the committee, she revised Recommendation 1 to read:  “That the University Senate enthusiastically endorses the report and recommendations of the Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes Curriculum Task Force, and recommends that undergraduate deans and their curriculum committees consider incorporating intercultural learning objectives into their graduation requirements.”

At this point, Senator Boylan asked if a quorum was present.  It was determined that the 2000-2001 Senators still present did not constitute a quorum.  Chairperson Scott said that the committee report currently under discussion could not be acted upon in the absence of quorum, and that it would be moved to the September 2001 Senate agenda.  Noting that the remaining report was for information only, and did not require action, Chairperson Scott moved to the next report on the agenda.
 

The following preliminary report was presented for information purposes only, without resolution or call for action, in anticipation of an open-forum discussion on the issue to be held during the October 2001 University Senate meeting:

· University Structure and Governance Committee - James Miller and Kathleen Scott, Committee Co-chairs
Senator Miller summarized his committee’s Report on Charge A-0102 , to "Review the Proposal to Establish Rutgers University College of Applied and Professional Studies (RU-CAPS).”  Comments on the report and the proposal on which it was based were heard.

Senator Fechter questioned whether the overall time limit for Senate meetings had expired.  Secretary Swalagin responded that the day’s proceedings comprised two meetings, and that the 2-1/2 hours allowed for the current, Regular Senate meeting had not expired.  Chairperson Scott responded that, since there was no quorum, business was not being conducted.

Senator Caprio invited input and comments on the report and proposal.  Chairperson Scott asked the Senate to send comments to her or Senator James Miller, as co-chairs of the University Structure and Governance Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT:  Vice Chair Rabinowitz reported on the April 6, 2001 Executive Committee meeting.  Draft minutes of the April 6 meeting had been posted on the Senate website.

REPORT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES TO BOARDS OF GOVERNORS AND TRUSTEES:
Senator Janes reported on the April 12 Board of Governors meeting.  Senator Naus reported on the April 19 Board of Trustees meeting.

REPORT OF CAMPUS FACULTY LIAISONS:  Senator Panayotatos, chair of the New Brunswick Faculty Council, reported on NBFC activities.

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business before the University Senate, Chairperson Scott declared the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Kenneth Swalagin
Secretary of the University Senate