Original Charge:  Review the issues associated with the Big East Conference, Rutgers’ membership therein, and related athletic policies and affiliations.  As a preliminary step leading to a subsequent report, identify critical issues and elements to be included in a final report.  Respond to the Senate Executive Committee with a list of components for further exploration by January 2005.

Original Charge:  Considering the November 29, 2004 decision of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the case of FAIR v. Rumsfeld, revisit the issues addressed in the University Senate’s reports/resolutions on FAIR v. Rumsfeld and on Federally Mandated Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation in ROTC Programs.  Draft recommendations on how Rutgers should respond to the recent decision. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by March 18, 2005.

Original Charge:  Investigate, consider, and make recommendations for streamlining and making easier the processes involved in faculty reporting of teaching, scholarship and service. Consider compatibilities between the Annual Faculty Survey and Form 1A, cross-document copy-and-paste capability, and availability of data for reformatting for insertion into other electronic documents.”

Original Charge:  Examine the various types of online instructional software (courseware) being utilized by departments and units at Rutgers.  What are the consequences of using a growing number of different courseware products (sometimes even within an individual course) for faculty, staff and students? Determine whether Rutgers should decide upon and use a standard courseware product.

Original Charge:  Review the University's updated travel and business expense reimbursement policy, and make recommendations for improvements

Original Charge:  Review and respond to the administration's proposals regarding Clinical and Professional Practice Tracks for:  the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology; Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick and Newark, and the School of Business-Camden; and the Mason Gross School of the Arts.  Report to Senate Executive Committee by May 2005.

Original Charge:  Explore and recommend ways in which tolerance, sensitivity and open dialog may be promoted at Rutgers, particularly among students, in media content, housing, and other areas.

Original Charge:  Review the current practices for faculty involvement in both recruiting and admitting undergraduate students to Rutgers University.  Determine whether faculty and faculty admissions committees are active participants in the process, whether University Regulations are being met, and whether the role of faculty should be expanded.  (Documents regarding faculty role in admissions include: Senate Resolution A-8420; University Regulations, Section 2.12; Motion passed by the Livingston Fellows on June 8, 2000; NBFC recommendation of April 26, 2002).

Original Charge:  Review Senate bylaws and enabling University Regulations as outlined in the Senate Handbook, and make recommendations for revisions, particularly regarding Senate membership, officer eligibility and requirements.  Consult with Senate secretary and chair to identify specific aspects of the bylaws and regulations to be examined.

As one of the Student Representatives to the Executive Committee, I request that the University Senate Executive Committee bring forth to the University Senate the following proposal.  

The Rutgers University Senate, using its power outlined within section 2.2.3.I of the Senate Handbook, will create the Rutgers University Student Senate making it a sub-senate of the official University Senate.  The members of this sub-senate would consist of all of the student Senators from every campus at the University.  

The Rutgers University Student Senate would not be considered a standing committee of the University Senate, but instead an organization that will enable a unified student voice throughout the entire University.  The Student Senate would have the power to consider issues brought to it by either the University Senate or by a resolution from any of the student governing associations.  Chair and vice chair of the Student Senate would be elected at the first meeting of the year by the student Senators.

The Rutgers University Student Senate would be an organization whose purpose would parallel that of the faculty councils long-established on each campus, but would deal with university-wide issues whose consideration and resolution would benefit from a single voice from the perspective of the student body. The Student Senate would not have any legislative powers granted to it by the University Senate, other than that of deliberation, discussion, and advice to the University Senate.  Students across the University feel frustrated about the lack of real representation within the University.  I believe that the creation of this sub-senate would go a long way to making students feel that their voice will be heard.