USG Response to Rutgers AAUP Vision Statement and Resolutions, April 2004

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
Report of the University Structure and Governance Committee
Resolutions concerning Educational Priorities
April 2004

Charge S-0403: Respond to Rutgers Chapter of AAUP requests for Senate endorsement of its Vision Statement and two resolutions. [Response requested immediately, for action at 4/23/04 Senate meeting.]

Overview of Committee’s Considerations

The Rutgers University Senate routinely considers actions brought to it from other bodies which deal with the broad mission of the university. Paramount considerations are whether statements are consistent with the role of the Senate, the mission of the University and University regulations. These three factors were considered in acting on the several resolutions referred to the Governance Committee.

AAUP Vision Statement

This vision statement, produced by the Rutgers Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, sets forth goals for the University, as follows:

We are strongly committed to the vision of advancing Rutgers to the top echelon of public research universities. We believe that to achieve this goal, or even to preserve the present quality and accessibility of its programs, Rutgers must

recruit and retain an outstanding and diverse faculty
recruit an outstanding and diverse graduate and professional student body
recruit an outstanding and diverse undergraduate student body
provide students outstanding classroom instruction and mentoring, to the fullest possible extent by full-time faculty members
provide first-class facilities, infrastructure, and staff support for teaching, research, and service to the citizens of New Jersey
build on our strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, the applied sciences, and the professions
uphold, in all its actions, the core academic values of academic freedom and due process, intellectual honesty, shared governance, and respect for the rights and opinions of others
foster an atmosphere of openness, collegiality, and trust in which all members of the university community work together to obtain the resources required to move Rutgers to the next level of excellence.

One critical question for the committee was whether this vision was consistent with the mission statement of the university, which is given as follows in the University Factbook: "As sole comprehensive public university in New Jersey's system of higher education, Rutgers University has the threefold mission of:
providing for the instructional needs of New Jersey's citizens through its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs;

conducting the cutting-edge research which contributes to the medical, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the state, as well as aiding the economy and the state’s businesses and industries;

performing public service in support of the needs of the citizens of the state and its local, county, and state governments.

Each component of the university's mission reinforces and supports the other two. For example, research creates the new knowledge so necessary to support quality instruction and innovative public service. The mission of the university is accomplished through its three campuses (Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick) and through the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, which complement and support each other, permitting the most effective use of state resources on behalf of the citizens of the state.

In pursuit of its mission, Rutgers seeks to be both academically excellent and fully accessible and representative of the state's diverse citizenry."

The AAUP vision statement appears to be consistent with these goals, setting forward basic principles for advancing the tripartite mission of the university, particularly with regards to teaching and research. The statement is also consistent with resolutions previously approved by the senate during discussion of restructuring which enumerated goals for excellence. Although this list does not address all actions that the university might undertake to achieve its objectives, we believe that all the goals set forth above are worthy.

Resolution

Be it resolved that the Rutgers University Senate endorses the actions set forth in the AAUP vision statement as critical for achieving the goals of the University.

Resolutions on Graduate Education and Instruction

The Governance committee declined to act on the resolutions from the Graduate School-New Brunswick and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences-New Brunswick as written (see Appendix). The specificity of the issues raised, particularly in the Graduate Education resolution, involved the need for more analysis and examination than time permitted. Some members present felt the resolutions as written violated the spirit of the Senate’s policy on collective bargaining, although other members did not feel that was the case. All committee members agreed with many of the principles set forth in these resolutions, and felt that it was important to bring these issues forward. The committee therefore decided to refer to the Senate alternate resolutions dealing with important principles and policies raised by the initial resolutions.

Resolution on Graduate Education

Whereas, we are committed to advancing Rutgers to the top echelon of public
research universities; and
Whereas, an outstanding and diverse graduate student body is an essential
part of every top echelon research university; and
Whereas, our ability to recruit and retain such a graduate student body requires competitive stipends for TAs and GAs,
Therefore be it resolved, that the University Senate supports appropriate and competitive compensation for TAs and GAs as a top priority and calls upon the parties involved in the negotiations to reach a fair and equitable agreement as soon as possible. Resolution on Faculty

Whereas, the Rutgers University Senate holds that a top priority of the University should be the enhancement of the quality of instruction and appropriate compensation for those providing instruction,

Therefore be it resolved, that the University Senate supports appropriate and competitive compensation for its faculty as a top priority and calls upon the parties involved in the negotiations to reach a fair and equitable agreement as soon as possible.

Appendix: Original Resolutions

Resolution In Support Of Graduate Education
Graduate School – New Brunswick

Whereas, we are committed to advancing Rutgers to the top echelon of public research universities; and

Whereas, an outstanding and diverse graduate student body is an essential part of every top echelon research university; and

Whereas, our ability to recruit and retain such a graduate student body is now severely compromised by our low and noncompetitive stipends for TAs/GAs;

Now be it resolved that the University Senate calls upon the administration to make appropriate and competitive compensation for TAs/GAs a top priority;
and

Now be it further resolved that the Senate wishes to express its strong support for fair and competitive compensation for the TAs/GAs.

Resolution in Support of Instruction

Faculty of Arts and Sciences – New Brunswick

In agreement with the New Brunswick Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Rutgers University Senate holds that the absolute top priority of the University should be preservation of the quality of instruction and appropriate compensation for those providing instruction.