Text of Interim President Edwards' August 8, 2012 Response to Senate report and recommendations on Charge S-0812A, Part II, Evaluation of Upper Administrators:

Dear Mr. Swalagin:
 
I am writing in response to the Report and Recommendations on Charge S-0812A, Part II, Evaluation of Upper Administrators, as adopted by the University Senate on March 23, 2012 upon the recommendation of the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC).  
 
As you know, the university is in a stage of considerable transition. Dr. Robert L. Barchi will assume the Rutgers presidency effective September 1, 2012. In addition, the New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act, which awaits approval by Gov. Christie and our governing boards, would significantly restructure the university and includes provisions to create several new high-level administrative positions.  Given the unknown implications of both of these changes on the university’s administrative structure, I do not support the adoption of a new and significant evaluation procedure for upper administrators at this time.
 
Please inform the members of FPAC that I appreciate the time and consideration that they have given to the question of extending the Senate process for decanal reviews to other high-level administrators. However, I do not believe that this is an opportune time to consider instituting such an evaluation policy.  
 
Sincerely,
 
Richard L. Edwards, Ph.D.
Interim President