The regular meeting of the University Senate Executive Committee was held on Friday, April 1, 2005 at 1:10 p.m. in the Cap and Skull Room, Rutgers Student Center, College Avenue Campus. 

Before the meeting convened, it was decided that the Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) report on Charge S-0405, Travel Reimbursement Policy, would be sent to the Senate as a communication only, rather than being docketed for action by the Senate.  This was done because Vice President Kavanagh had recently issued an e-mail announcing travel reimbursement policy revisions which addressed the BFC’s concerns.

Chairperson Cotter said that she had met with eight or nine student leaders from the Senate to get their perspective on the issues of student voice and representation in the Senate, on the boards, and in shared governance at Rutgers.  They discussed their thoughts regarding the proportion of student Senators to faculty Senators, the means by which student board representatives are elected, and a proposal to elect board representatives from the Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses.  Cotter said that the students had decided to work on a student subsenate proposal over the summer for Executive Committee consideration in the fall.

Communication:  The Slate of Candidates for 2005-2006 Senate Leadership and Board Representatives was reviewed.

3.             Administrative Report

4.             Standing Committee Reports and Charges

Request for Withdrawal of Charge S-0314, Big East Athletics:  Senator Oren, co-chair of the Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee (ASRAC), had requested that charge S-0314, on Big East Athletics, be withdrawn.  Senator Oren requested the withdrawal because he believed the charge was inappropriate for a University Senate committee because it applies to Rutgers New Brunswick only.  On Senator Curry’s motion, the charge was redirected to the Budget and Finance Committee.

Potential Charge to Committee:  Senator Adam Cooper had submitted the following potential committee charge:  “Examine the Athletics Department, and determine whether all varsity sports teams that are currently being fielded are necessary or if there are teams for which interest is low that should be removed.  Compare the number of athletics teams at Rutgers with like institutions, and make recommendations based on findings.”  Senator Curry moved to reject the charge because it is a component of an existing charge on student fees.  Senator Hirsh opposed issuing the charge, noting that it was not appropriate nor well defined.  The charge was not issued.

Instruction, Curricula and Advising Committee (ICAC), Response to Charge S-0318, Use of Course Management Systems:  The ICAC report and recommendations on Charge S-0318, Use of Course Management Systems, was reviewed, and docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.

Faculty Affairs and Personnel Committee, Response to Charge A-0410, Clinical and Professional Practice Faculty Tracks:  The FAPC report on Charge A-0410, Clinical and Professional Practice Faculty Tracks, was reviewed, and docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.

Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee (ASRAC), Response to Charge S-0317, Faculty Role in Undergraduate Student Recruitment and Admissions:  Chairperson Cotter had also chaired the ASRAC subcommittee that wrote this report.  ASRAC Co-chair Oren cannot attend the April 22 Senate meeting, so Cotter and ASRAC Co-chair Brazier will present this report to the Senate.  Senate Vice Chairperson Rabinowitz will assume the chair while Cotter presents the report, which was docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.

University Structure and Governance Committee (USGC), Response to Charge S-0324, Senate Bylaws Review (Part 2, Senate Handbook):  The USGC response to Charge S-0324, Senate Bylaws Review (Part 2, Senate Handbook), was docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.  Secretary Swalagin was instructed to e-mail the Senate, asking that any comments be sent to the USGC co-chairs as soon as possible.

University Structure and Governance Committee, Response to Charge S-0401, Faculty and Student Board of Governors Membership:  The USGC response to Charge S-0401, Faculty and Student Board of Governors Membership, was reviewed and docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.

University Structure and Governance Committee, Response to Charge S-0409, Senate Committee Structure, Graduate and Professional Education:  The USGC response to Charge S-0409, Senate Committee Structure, Graduate and Professional Education, was reviewed and docketed for action at the April 22, 2005 Senate meeting.

5.             April 22, 2005 Senate Agenda

The format and schedule for the April 22, 2005 Senate meetings was discussed at length.  It was decided that:

• The organizational meeting would begin at 10:30 a.m.
• Candidates for election would be allowed no more than two minutes for their individual campaign statements, and would be asked to submit the statements in advance to Secretary Swalagin for posting on the Senate website.
• The regular meeting would convene immediately following collection of ballots from the organizational meeting.
• The Chair’s Report would be brief.
• Committee reports would be prioritized, with the Clinical Tracks and Senate Handbook reports being highest priority.
• The regular meeting would recess at noon, at which time Senators would break for lunch (provided in the RSC Lounge courtesy of President McCormick’s office), and would reconvene at 1:10 p.m.
• President McCormick’s Administrative Report would be the first item on the agenda after the lunch break.
• Committee reports would continue following the Administrative Report.
• Secretary Swalagin e-mailed meeting notice(s) would urge all Senators to stay or return for the afternoon session, and to present all motions to amend in writing, in advance.
• Those presenting reports would be asked to be brief.
• One hour would be added to the meeting’s overall time limit, and that would be communicated in the Secretary’s Report.
• Discussion time would be unlimited for the Clinical Faculty Tracks and Senate Handbook items, and would be limited to ten minutes for other reports.

6.             Old Business

Chairperson Cotter asked President McCormick about the status of the Senate’s recommendations on Faculty Departmental Voting Rights and Split Appointments.  Secretary Swalagin will deliver to the President’s office a copy of that report and any others on which the Senate has not yet received President McCormick’s response.

Senator DiVito tabled the proposal to form a student subsenate.

8.        Adjournment