RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
M I N U T E S
October 5, 2012

Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) Response to Charge S-1103 on Information Technology and IT Services at Rutgers - BFC Chair Menahem Spiegel summarized his committee's report and recommendations on Charge S-1103 on Information Technology and IT Services at Rutgers. The BFC had been charged as follows: "Evaluate aspects of information technology services at Rutgers including whether systems communicate effectively with each other, incorporate user experience levels and feedback, are user-friendly, improve data flow, and enhance coordination among information technology personnel. Explore ways that the Office of Information Technology can more efficiently provide services to users. Identify opportunities for Rutgers to centralize or take a more distributive approach to various information technology functions, and investigate the advantages and disadvantages of deploying more open software. If developments during the time of deliberations warrant it, consider the ramifications of a reunification of Robert Wood Johnson Medical with Rutgers New Brunswick on the above." The report was docketed for action at the  upcoming Senate meeting.

Research, and Graduate and Professional Education Committee (RGPEC) Response to Charge S-1107 on Publication Repository and Supporting Documents: Open Access Factsheet and Open Access Presentation - RGPEC Co-chair Jane Otto summarized her committee's report and recommendations on Charge S-1107 on Publications Repository/Open Access. The RGPEC had been charged as follows: "Examine the possibility of a Rutgers-specific, centrally driven publication repository for published papers and books. Provide data about similar services at peer and aspirant universities." Changes were suggested to reformat the report's resolution, and Otto accepted those suggestions and said she would revise the resolution. Otto was asked to revise the recommendations to include "Investigate some means by which to reference opted-out articles." She offered to take the suggestion back to the committee. The report was docketed provisionally for action at the upcoming Senate meeting. Otto said she would transmit the final-form report to Senate Secretary Swalagin within one week.

Proposed Charge to Student Affairs Committee (SAC) on Campus Study Areas for Commuter Students submitted by Senator Joseph Cashin: A charge to investigate and determine the opening of a study area on each campus for commuter students, submitted by Senator Joseph Cashin, was discussed, and issued to the Student Affairs Committee as follows: "Early-Open Study Space: Determine the interest in, and feasibility of, a study area on each campus opening early (5:00 a.m.) for commuter students. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by February 2013."

Continue, Drop, or Modify Charge S-1205 on Academic Freedom at Rutgers/South China University of Technology Joint Venture: Charge S-1205 had been issued previously to the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee as follows: "Investigate and consider the extent to which academic freedom and students' right to free speech and assembly will be the standard at the new, joint venture that Rutgers is undertaking with South China University of Technology. Investigate the profile of the expected faculty, detailing what proportions will be tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track, and full-time or part-time. Consider the need for any initiative to which Rutgers attaches its name and where Rutgers faculty may be affiliated to maintain all the protections and freedoms associated with employment here in the United States. Make recommendations on how to best ensure that Rutgers' name and faculty are protected with regard to academic freedom, tenure, and freedom of expression and assembly.  Respond to Senate Executive Committee by December 2012." In response to the termination or postponement of plans for the Rutgers undertaking in China, the charge was dropped.