RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
UNIVERSITY SENATE

PRESIDING OFFICER: Samuel Rabinowitz, Chairperson

CALL TO ORDER, DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM, AND CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT - Samuel Rabinowitz, Chairperson

Chairperson Rabinowitz called the meeting to order at 1:22 p.m. in Room 401 Penn of the Paul Robeson Library, Camden Campus. After welcoming all to the annual meeting in Camden, he summarized the agenda, and explained the meeting venue by pointing out that the Camden Campus Center Multipurpose Room is being renovated.

SECRETARY'S REPORT - Kenneth Swalagin, Executive Secretary

• Agenda: The meeting's agenda, including time limits, was approved as distributed by the executive secretary.
• Minutes: The Minutes of May 2, 2008 Senate Organizational Meeting and Minutes of September 19, 2008 Senate Meeting were approved as distributed by the executive secretary.
• Communications: The following communications were presented by the executive secretary:
  • President McCormick's Response to Senate Report on Charge S-0408, Academic Integrity Policy
  • President McCormick's Response to Senate Report on Charge S-0603, Senate Membership
  • President McCormick's Response to Senate Report on Charge S-0708, Student Charter Trustee Nominations and Elections
  • President McCormick's Response to Senate Report on Charge S-0703, Intersession
  • President McCormick's Response to Senate Report on Charge S-0705, Contingent Faculty Proposal, Part I

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT - President Richard L. McCormick

President McCormick presented an administrative report, which included comments on topics including:

• his meeting earlier that day with Camden student leaders;
• the global economic and financial crisis, and how it may affect Rutgers;
• a related reevaluation of Rutgers facilities projects, including the stadium renovation;
• athletics, including appointment of Richard Costello as Rutgers' new Deputy Director of Athletics-Finance and Administration; and
• the online "Strategic Goals for Rutgers University and 2008-2009 Areas of Emphasis and Effort," which he characterized as his "to-do list."

President McCormick then responded to questions or comments on subjects including:

• apportioning of possible mid-year budget cuts;
• charges paid by faculty for telephone lines; and
• the ongoing search for a new dean of the Douglass Residential College.

CAMDEN CAMPUS REPORT - Interim Camden Provost Margaret Marsh

Interim Camden Provost Marsh presented a Camden Campus Report.  The report included comments on the following topics:

• a welcome to the Camden Campus, and an invitation to explore the campus, particularly its new art and facilities, such as the School of Law;
• growth and development at Rutgers Camden, including student enrollment, programs, opportunities, and physical facilities;
• activities intended to provide opportunities, especially for adult learners who live too far away to get to campus, to take advantage of education;
• undergraduate research;
• refinement of the international studies program;
• ten-year goals for Rutgers-Camden;
• student enrollment and recruitment;
• continuing expansion of the commitment to the City of Camden;
• existing challenges;
• outreach;
• faculty and student awards and accomplishments; and
• the potential effects of current economic uncertainties.

COMMITTEE REPORT

University Structure and Governance Committee Response to Charge S-0704, Senate Committee Structure  - Tricia Nolfi and Jonathan Tittler, Co-chairs

[Note: The recommendations in this report include a change to Senate Bylaws/University Regulations. In accordance with established parliamentary procedure, introduction of the proposed amendment to Senate Bylaws occurred at this meeting, which constituted notice that the Senate would be asked to adopt the change at theNovember 21, 2008 Senate meeting.]

University Structure and Governance Committee Co-chairs Jonathan Tittler and Tricia Nolfi summarized the committee report, which included a recommendation that the Senate establish a new, Research and Graduate and Professional Education Committee, and change the name of the current Faculty Affairs and Personnel Committee to "Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee" to reflect the addition of staff issues to that committees standing charge. There was no action on the report; it will be up for Senate adoption at the November 2008 Senate meeting.

OLD BUSINESS: Senator Panayotatos asked Chairperson Rabinowitz to research, in regard to President McCormick's response to the Senate Faculty Affairs and Personnel Committee report and recommendations on contingent faculty, what mechanism is in place to encourage units to "convert part-time faculty to full-time annual or non-tenure-track appointments if such conversions enhance their academic programs." Panayotatos also pointed out that some appointments have already been converted, and thanked President McCormick for agreeing to the policy recommendation, and for forwarding it to academic units.

NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Vice Chairperson Paul Leath was unable to attend the meeting. Senator Cotter reported on the Senate Executive Committee meetings of September 5 and October 3, 2008.

REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BOARDS OF GOVERNORS AND TRUSTEES: Senator Cotter, Faculty Representative to the Board of Governors, reported on the June 12, July 17, and October 17, 2008 Board of Governors meetings. Senator Vodak, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, noted that the Board of Trustees will meet for the first time this academic year on Thursday, October 30.

CAMPUS FACULTY LIAISON REPORTS: There were no reports from Campus Faculty Liaisons.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m.


Kenneth Swalagin
Executive Secretary of the University Senate