RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
UNIVERSITY SENATE
Executive Committee Minutes
November 2, 2018
3. Administrative Report
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Lee presented an administrative report, which included comments on:
4. Nomination of the Alumni Representative to the Executive Committee
Jennie Owens, Alumni Representative to the Executive Committee, has resigned her seat on the EC as well as the Senate, citing conflicts between the Senate schedule and work responsibilities. In accordance with Policy 50.2.1, Section F, "Vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Executive Committee, nominating a replacement, which shall be voted upon by the Senate at its next meeting. Other nominations may be made from the floor at that time." the Executive Committee unanimously nominated Senator Houshang Parsa. A election will be conducted at the November 16, 2018 Senate meeting in Camden.
5. Proposed Resolution regarding the partnership process between RWJ Barnabas, Rutgers Health, and the Rutgers University Faculty - Submitted by Joseph Markert on behalf of the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee
The Resolution FPAC proposed is as follows:
The FPAC supports full and transparent participation of RBHS faculty and staff in the ongoing discussions centered on the newly formed partnership between RWJ Barnabas, Rutgers Health and RBHS through an impartial group whose members have no conflict of interest arising from ties with the RWJ Barnabas system. We feel that there needs to be RBHS select faculty and staff involvement in the process to ensure the faculty and staff are able to fulfill their mission, including providing high quality and appropriate care to their patient population.
Master Affiliation Agreement between Rutgers University, Rutgers Health Group, and RWJ Barnabas Health
After much discussion it was determined the resolution, in its current form, was not appropriate to bring to the Senate. The Executive Committee did feel the issue is an important one and deserved a more robust report. Ann Gould, NB Faculty member of the Executive Committee and Mary Jo Bugel, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, agreed to take the substance of the resolution and create a report with background and recommendations which they will send to the Executive Committee, via email, in one week for approval to docket for the November 16 Senate meeting.
6. Standing Committees
Committee Response:
Research and Graduate & Professional Education Committee Response to President Barchi's Response to S-1703: Grant Costs - Michael Kelly, RGPEC Executive Committee Liaison
The Executive Committee discussed the letter crafted by RGPEC in response to President Barchi's May 8 response to the report on Grant Costs, while in agreement with the substance of the letter it was agreed it needed to be finessed by members of the EC and will then be transmitted to the President through the Executive Secretary.
Issues/Charges:
Proposed Charge on Facilities and Infrastructure - Submitted by Adam Kustka, UC-N Faculty Senator
Adam Kustka had submitted the following proposed charge and rationale on Facilities and Infrastructure:
Proposed Charge:
Evaluate the current systems and processes, status of plans for University research facilities and infrastructure and whether they are capable of sustaining competitive and cutting-edge research.
Rationale:
External funding agencies that the University provides and maintains the core infrastructure necessary for proposed and currently funded projects. Those involved in the entire spectrum of research activities (researchers) are impacted by the disconnected between researchers and those - at the various administrative levels - who make decisions about building, improving, and maintaining facilities and infrastructure. Serious problems in existing facilities and infrastructure influence daily research activities, the ability to compete for new grants, and the recruitment of our next generation of research faculty and graduate students. The process for prioritizing and funding facility maintenance and improvements, and the parties responsible for this, are not consistent or well defined. The committee plans to evaluate the relevant systems and plans and to make recommendations to create a comprehensive, robust, actionable, and sustainable plan that will support infrastructure needed for world-class research at the university.
After discussing the proposal, it was determined the charge will be issued to the RGPEC and will read:
Evaluate the relevant systems, processes, and plans for university research facilities and infrastructure and make recommendations to create a comprehensive, robust, actionable, and sustainable plan that will support infrastructure needed for world-class research at the university. Due to the Executive Committee by March 2019
Proposed Charge:
Consider if the student-used university locker system should be expanded; provide recommendations on what, if any, changes should be made.
Rationale:
Commuter students in New Brunswick have indicated a need for lockers on all campuses. The students who drive have stated that their cars are usually far away from their class/bus stops. It is inconvenient to go back and forth so they are forced to carry a heavy load each day. Students who use public transportation to get to and from campus are also buried with that same burden. Currently, there are only lockers on Cook and College Avenue Campuses with a code that expires at 12 a.m. each night.
After a discussion, it was determined not to charge a committee with this issue, but rather to ask Senator Serrano to investigate this issue further with the Student Caucus and determine if it is a University-wide issue or just centered around New Brunswick. Chair Gillett also asked Serrano to assemble the specific recommendations RUSA has envisioned and relay that to Interim New Brunswick Chancellor Molloy and copy the Executive Committee. If Serrano finds other campuses are experiencing similar problems related to lockers and she does not create traction with the NB Chancellor's office the Executive Committee will revisit the issue at a later date.
Proposed Charge on University Office of Sustainability and Engagement- Submitted by Kathleen Parrish, SEBS Student Senator and Julie Serrano, SAS-NB, Student Senator
Kathleen Parrish and Julie Serrano submitted the following proposed charge and rationale on University Office of Sustainibility and Engagement:
Proposed Charge:
Rationale:
Global organizations such as the United Nations have taken a holistic approach to Sustainability to address the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. They have encouraged universities to be leaders in this movement. The Rutgers University Strategic Plan states its dedication to sustainability. Furthermore, as a land-grant university, Rutgers has a responsibility to promote, health, welfare, and economic prosperity of people in New Jersey. Rutgers Business School has signed on to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education, as a step towards demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. However, Rutgers still stands alone in the Big 10 as the only school that does not have an Office of Sustainability to provide leadership in benchmarking its sustainability efforts. As a result, or efforts to fulfill our Strategic Plan and land-grant mission have many gaps, as they are often siloed and unable to reach their full potential.
A Sustainability Committee of mostly faculty, created in 2005 and reinvigorated in 2014 has attempted to fill these gaps. The Committee has created a University-wide sustainability website to be released soon, and it has held the event, RU Sustainable, each semester for the last three years. Students working with the committee have formed their own coalition of close to 20 student organizations looking to address these issues at the student level. Within RUSA, the Sustainability Task Force, further research the topic and compiled their findings in a 2017-18 report, also recommending the creation of an Office of Sustainability.
Together, we have learned that understanding and coordinating our sustainability efforts across campuses is a full-time job, and cannot be left to what little time staff and students are able to contribute on a volunteer basis. What's more the information gap created by the current lack of communication and leadership in sustainability is leading us to missed opportunities. Our students are missing chances to learn and engage in an up-and-coming field. Our researchers lose out on collaborative projects, access to funding opportunities, and a seat at the table when policy solutions are being discussed. Our centers and academic schools are missing out on chances to easily collaborate across schools and disciplines. With an office, we can take action on these opportunities and more. Potential students would be attracted to study at Rutgers to network with multi-national organizations and add sustainability to their academic and professional experience. If those potential students are engaged in sustainability efforts they are more likely to stay in contact with Rutgers as alumni, and mentor other students in their sustainability journey. An Office of Sustainability and Engagement under the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement would work with stakeholders and on-going efforts on and off campus to ensure that our students, alumni, faculty, staff, administration, and our state can live, learn, and succeed in sustainability. Rutgers has the potential to become a national and global leader in sustainability continuing its lasting legacy.
Senator Serrano spoke to the rationale for proposing the charge and answered questions of the Executive Committee. Chair Gillett mentioned that Serrano has proposed another charge similar to this on Renewable Energy, which will be discussed at the November 30 meeting. The committee agreed to not issue a charge at this time and revisit the issue in conjunction with the aforementioned proposal.
7. New Business
No new business.
8. University Senate Agenda
The November 16, 2018 Senate Meeting agenda was discussed, and will include: