From: Alan Sadovnik, Chair Newark Faculty Council

Re: Senate Report, January 19, 2007

The NFC met for the third time in the Fall semester on Monday, December 4, 2006. The primary agenda item was campus safety:

Campus Safety Chief Michael Lattimore reported on campus safety issues. He described three recent incidents (two robberies and a car jacking), which occurred on or near campus and the steps his department is taking to prevent further occurrences.  All the incidents occurred at night and the victims were alone. He also explained what everyone should know to keep safe.  Escorts are available at all times and there is only a 5-minute wait time once a call is placed.  Blue emergency lights are underutilized on the campus.  He indicated that they should be used whenever there is any suspicion of potential danger.  Chief Lattimore noted that the campus is one of the safest areas in Newark and is not a target for perpetrators of crime; that CHEN (Council of Higher Education in Newark) meetings provide an opportunity for Newark’s higher education learning institutions to share information and to join together to improve safety; and that cameras will soon be installed in certain areas on campus.  He praised the members of his department, noting they are all educated, extremely capable and personable officers.

Chief Lattimore responded to council members’ questions.  Students who have trouble finding a taxi from Penn Station at night can call the campus police headquarters for an escort.  It was noted that the intersections at Raymond Blvd. and University Avenue and the one at Warren St. and University Avenue, are very dangerous.  Chief Lattimore will bring this to the attention of Newark police force.  Council members also expressed considerable praise for the campus police.

It was announced that a new book, Privilege and Diversity in the Academy (Routledge, 2006) by Frances Maher (Wheaton College, MA) and Mary Kay Tetrault (Portland State University) provides case studies of Stanford University, the University of Michigan and Rutgers University-Newark. The book focuses on how each campus has changed over the past forty years as their student bodies and faculty have become more diverse.

The NFC Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on the week of January 29th to discuss the possible merger with UMDNJ and will prepare a position paper for the full council. Once approved, it will be forwarded to the University Senate.

The first meeting of the Spring semester will be held on Monday, February 5, 2005, when the NFC will meet with President McCormick. Among the topics for discussion are the status of the proposed Budget Equity Committee; the possible merger with UMDNJ; and budget forecasts for next fiscal year.