RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
M I N U T E S
October 5, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT: Borisovets, Dasari, Field, Gillett (Chair), Gould, Kelly, Oleske, Oliver, Pappas, Serrano, Thompson, Van Stine
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Estriplet, Owens
ALSO ATTENDING: M. Bugel (Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees), B. Lee (Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs), M. Mickelsen (Senate Executive Secretary), Ilce Perez (Undergraduate Student Representative to the Board of Trustees), S. Rabinowitz (Faculty Representative to the Board of Governors), R. Schwartz (Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees)
The regular meeting of the University Senate Executive Committee was held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. in Room 122 at Busch Student Center, Busch Campus.
1. Chair’s Report - Peter Gillett, Senate Chair
Senate and Executive Committee Chair Peter Gillett called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. His Chair's Report included the following:
- A report on the Committee Chairs Meeting held prior to this meeting;
- His and Jon Oliver's meeting with Chancellor Molloy on October 2;
- His and Jon Oliver's meeting with President Barchi has been postponed until after the next EC Meeting;
- Big 10 Academic Alliance Conference in Iowa City in late-October;
- Discussion on the Senate making more of an effort toward sustainability
- After a short discussion, it was determined that all EC members will give the Senate Office advanced notice as to whether they would like printed copies of the agenda materials or would prefer to utilize their own electronic devices during the meeting.
2. Secretary’s Report - Mary Mickelsen, Executive Secretary of the Senate
- Agenda: The agenda was approved
- Minutes: Approval of Minutes of September 7, 2018 Senate Executive Committee Meeting
- Communications:
- President Barchi's Response to the Senate's report and recommendations on Charge S-1305 on Examining the Rutgers Smoking Policy and Smoke-Free Rutgers
- President Barchi's Response to the Senate's report and recommendations on Charge S-1611 on Examination of the University Policy on the Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- President Barchi's Response to the Senate's report and recommendations on Charge S-1616 on Absentee Ballots in Special Student Organization Funding Referenda
- President Barchi's Response to the Senate's report and recommendations on Charge S-1706 on the Sale of Alcohol in Stadiums
- The following polices have been updated/added in the University Policy Library:
- Article on "Test Optional Momentum" - Submitted by Senator Robert Boikess
3. Administrative Report - Barbara Lee, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Lee presented an administrative report, which included comments on:
- President Barchi's trip to Botswana to explore possible areas of cooperation based on the long-term relationship with Botswana University in various capacities such as MasaHIV/AIDS treatment program which started in 2002;
- the establishment of a committee focused on researching issues of sexual misconduct;
- BOT $2 Million commitment to support tuition assistance grants, emergency assistance and student-based food pantries through 2020
- 50th Anniversary of the Educational Opportunity Fund;
- an update on facilities to include: Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering; Alumni Houses in Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden; and the Paul Robeson Plaza;
- update on the decision to use Canvas as the University-wide learning management system;
- the development of a website dedicated to part-time lecturers;
- creation of the Academic Integrity Policy Committee following senate recommendation.
Lee then responded to questions, or heard comments on the above subjects, as well as:
- the process by which follow-up is performed after the President delegates responsibility to carry out Senate recomendations
- Lee agreed to work with the appropriate parties, request status reports, and respond back to the Senate EC.
4. Resolution Concerning Faculty, Staff, and Students [Based on a previous Senate resolution in 2014] – Karen Thompson
Background: The current negotiations for new contracts to replace those that expired almost three month ago are different in a number of ways from all the past negotiations between the faculty Union (AAUP-AFT) and the Rutgers Administration. Never before has the administration been so blatant in its unwillingness to negotiate seriously. They delayed even beginning negotiations for months after the normal starting date. They imposed a totally insufficient schedule of two short sessions a month and have barely responded to faculty proposals or made proposals of their own. Most remarkably, they still have not made an economic proposal, clearly demonstrating their lack of concern for the economic welfare of the faculty and the absence of any serious motivation on their part to reach a settlement.
Therefore
Be it resolved that the University Senate calls on the administration to enter into serious negotiations with all faculty and staff unions in order to reach fair settlements as expeditiously as possible.
Be it further resolved that we urge the administration when making proposals on economic compensation, to pay particular attention to redressing the salary inequities and injustices among the lower paid groups of faculty and staff as well the issues of gender equity and salary compensation; and
Be it further resolved that we most strongly urge the University not to burden students with additional increases in tuition and fees in order to meet the eminently reasonable economic needs of faculty and staff.
After much discussion it was determined that all members agree with the resolution in theory, however wanted to support both sides in reaching a speedy and fair agreement. Therefore, the following was agreed upon to take to the Senate for approval on October 19:
Be It Resolved That:
The Rutgers University Senate calls upon all parties to do all that they can to complete the negotiations of all collective bargaining contracts still awaiting settlements fairly and promptly.
5. Standing Committees/Panels
Committee Report:
Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC) Response to Charge S-1712 on Procedures for Handling Student Complaints Against Rutgers Personnel - Farid Alizadeh and Joseph Markert, FPAC Co-Chairs
The FPAC has been charged as follows:
Consider and make recommendations for improving procedures for handling student complaints against Rutgers personnel, as well as how those procedures are communicated to students and personnel.
Neither co-chair was in attendance, therefore FPAC committee members Gould and Thompson summarized the committee's report on Charge S-1712, on Procedures for Handling Student Complaints Against Rutgers Personnel. The FPAC response was discussed at length and agreed to a few wordsmithing changes via email immediately following the meeting. The report was docketed for the October 19 Senate meeting.Issues/Proposed Charges:
Proposed Charge to Instruction Curricula and Advising Committee (ICAC) on Student Success: Advising and Career Services - Submitted by Natalie Borisovets
Proposed Charge: Examine issues relating to undergraduate advising and career services across the university and make appropriate recommendations.
Rationale: ICAC spent some time last Spring, when we had no formal charges, talking about a variety of issues relating to academic advising. There are many of these, including an apparent disconnect between general advising and departmental requirements. In our discussions it also became apparent that there needed to be a strong connection between advising and career services although most committee members had no idea of what career services really did. We had New Brunswick Career Services do a presentation at one of our meetings and came away very impressed with their current approach and how that could/should dovetail with academic advising. So, while we had started thinking about two separate charges - one relating to advising and one relating to career services - we decided that ultimately, they were two sides of the same coin and should be considered together.
Issues we are looking to explore include: Review the current use of academic advising technology such as the Student Success Collaborative and Degree Navigator. How can we better integrate advising and career services? Review the organizational structure for the career services function at Rutgers University with a view toward optimizing service delivery. How do we best work to ensure the realization and assessment of successful post-graduation outcomes of all students?
Borisovets summarized the proposed charge and background on Student Success: Advising and Career Services. The Executive Committee discussed this proposal and agreed to issue the charge to the ICAC with a reporting deadline of February 2019.
6. Old Business
Second Review of Daily Targum Concept Plan, Financial Statements (2015-2016 and 2017-18), and Letter of Intent for Spring 2019 Referendum
At the September 7 Executive Committee meeting the Daily Targum Concept Plan, which had been submitted in preparation for a spring 2019 referendum, was reviewed. The committee rejected the plan and requested the following items be included, based on policy 10.3.3 - Student Services & Other Student-Related Policies and Programs, and resubmitted for this meeting:
- evidence of educational value;
- explanation of how special funding furthers the educational mission of the university;
- demonstration of the need for financial resources;
- financial justification of the fee;
- forecasting of future income and expenses;
- annual independent audit for three years;
- evidence that audits are performed annually.
Other supporting documents submitted for this meeting's review:
- 3-year Operating Budget 2018-2021
- Schedule of Revenue & Expenses 2011-2018
- Answers to the Senate EC Concerns
After discussing the Concept Plan and Financials in its current form, the Executive Committee agreed to approve the proposed Spring 2019 Referendum while expressing the following concerns:
- an audit was completed only every two-years instead of the yearly requirement; and
- feeling as though there was sufficient evidence to support a fee, however not the $11.25 proposition.
7. New Business
Selection of Suggested Members of Dean's Evaluation Committees (DEC) for:
- Lei Lei, Dean of the Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick
- Peter March, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences - New Brunswick
- Jonathan Potter, Dean of the School of Communication and Information
Each of the DEC's were discussed and suggestions given to Chair Gillett who will request a willingness to serve from all parties. He will then submit a final list, based on the collective responses, to the chairs of each DEC for their consideration.
8. Agenda for the October 19 Senate Meeting
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Minutes written and submitted by,
Mary Mickelsen
Executive Secretary of the University Senate