RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
STANDING COMMITTEE CHARGES
[Revised November 2008, December 2012]
1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Note: Executive
Committee members are elected by the Senate. Senators should
select from among the other standing committees when indicting a
committee preference.)
Standing Charge: To perform those duties defined in University Policy
50.2.2., to coordinate the activities of the Senate and its
committees, and to exercise such powers as the Senate may delegate to
it.
The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Senate between
meetings of the Senate, and report these actions to the Senate.
(Note: On September 29, 1970, the Senate passed a motion authorizing
the Executive Committee to act on its behalf between meetings of the
Senate as provided in University Policies 50.2.1.F. and 50.2.3.F., and
requiring the Executive Committee to report these actions to the
Senate.) Although the Executive Committee is empowered to act for
the Senate in exceptional circumstances, it shall minimize responding
to emergency situations that require its independent, precipitous
action, and shall strengthen and publicize its planning, referral,
evaluation, and liaison functions, as follows:
a. Planning Function of the Executive Committee
To review the annual reports from
Senate committee chairpersons and decide which charges should be
continued or modified, and to anticipate and propose other
matters needing Senate attention. The Secretary will transmit these
matters as charges to the appropriate committee with background
information.
To assign members to Senate
standing committees and panels, ensuring broad representation on each
of the committees (to the extent possible within the limitation in the
third paragraph of "Committees of the Senate").
To take responsibility for assuring
standing committees, and the Senate as a whole, sufficient time in
which to study and advise on all proposals brought to it.
To issue, at its discretion, a rule
calling for a specific voting procedure on a resolution pending before
the Senate, including voting by secret ballot, to ensure an efficient
voting procedure, and to protect the integrity of the vote whenever
issues of extreme sensitivity or confidentiality exist.
b. Referral Function of the Executive Committee
To refer new matters to the
committees throughout the year. The Secretary will transmit these
referrals in writing with appropriate supporting information.
To establish ad hoc committees and
charge them appropriately. In keeping with its referral function,
the Executive Committee shall generally refrain from initiating
discussion of new issues on the Senate floor but rather move all
business through the committee structure.
c. Evaluation Function of the Executive Committee
To review and evaluate the performance
of
Senate committees and the Senate body as a whole periodically
throughout the year. To report to the Senate the results of such
evaluations.
d. Liaison Function of the Executive Committee
To arrange for and monitor compliance
with liaison arrangements among Senate committees, the Administration,
and University committees.
To be the buffer between the
Administration and other University groups and the Senate, guarding the
Senate's rights and responsibilities from encroachment by keeping in
close touch with persons and events in the University community.
To appeal to the Board of Governors
as provided in Section 2.2.2 Paragraph B, item (2) when the President
does not consult the Senate in the areas defined for such consultation.
2. BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Standing Charge:
This Committee shall concern itself with all matters
related to budget priorities, allocations and general planning, as
provided in section 2.2.2. B of the University regulations. These
responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the
following:
To select and study policy issues
associated with the University's budget, including priorities and
allocation of funds, and to develop recommendations to the Senate.
To evaluate the probable financial impact of proposed new programs
being considered by the Senate.
To receive, study, and make recommendations to the Senate, and through
it to the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, with respect to
requests from members of the University community or others with a
legitimate interest regarding Rutgers University investments.
To consider, study, and make recommendations to the Senate, and through
it to the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, with respect to any
investment policies of the University that may involve ethical and
moral principles as established by the Boards of Governors and Trustees.
To consider broad issues related to physical plant and infrastructure,
space, transportation, and safety on and among the three campuses.
To present to the University Senate an annual report on the Rutgers
University budget.
3. UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee will study, report on, and make
recommendations to the Senate on all matters pertaining to University
governance, including both formal and functional relationships among
units at Rutgers, relationships among student and faculty governing
bodies, and the structure of the Senate itself. This Committee
shall be responsible for initiating reviews of governance issues in
accordance with these guidelines. The responsibilities of this
Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
To review formal relationships among
academic units within the University, including the organization of
disciplines. (University Regulations 2.2.2 B)
To advise the President, through the Senate, on the establishment or
dissolution of colleges, schools, divisions, institutes and similar
educational units, (University Regulations 2.2.2 B) and to review and
advise the President on the termination or suspension of academic
programs.
To consider and advise the President on special affiliations and
programs (University Regulations 2.2.2 B (c) and agreements and formal
relationships with other institutions, including internet service
providers, particularly as they relate to the structure and unit
relationships of the university.
To review all matters relating to the composition of the Senate
(University Regulations 2.2.1. through 2.2.1.D.).
To study and make recommendations to the Senate on matters relating to
the role and function of the Senate as a body within the University
governance scheme (University Regulations 2.2.2. through 2.2.2.C.) as
well as the role and function of internal structures and processes of
the Senate itself (University Regulations 2.2.3. through 2.2.3.K.).
To coordinate relationships among the faculty and student governing
bodies and the Senate, so that issues raised in one forum are brought
to the attention and consideration of other appropriate units.
To study and make recommendations on relationships between the
University and the public.
4. STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary
responsibility for matters directly concerning
students. These responsibilities include, but are not
limited to, the
following:
To examine and address general student
interests in University policies and operations, including, but not
limited to, such matters as University policies on student use of drugs
and alcohol, on reporting student records, and on regulating
dormitories and fraternities.
To further concern itself with student disciplinary procedures, student
health services, bookstores, etc.
To advise the administration, through the Senate, on policies governing
the athletic fees, programs, and facilities of the University.
To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on
questions relating to actual, possible or alleged discrimination as it
affects the students of Rutgers.
To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on
questions relating to actual, possible, or alleged discrimination as
they affect Rutgers students.
5. FACULTY AND PERSONNEL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary
responsibility for matters directly concerning faculty, staff, and
other personnel, with the
exception of matters included under the collective bargaining
agreements. When deemed necessary, a task force or ad hoc subcommittee
may be formed to deal specifically with a given issue. General
responsibilities of the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee shall
include, but are not limited to, the
following:
To survey the general policies of the
University with respect to the rank and standing of all faculty
personnel.
To review all procedures and regulations by which faculty appointments,
promotions and tenure are governed.
To address issues related to workplace climate, personnel workload,
career development and opportunities for professional advancement, and
working conditions for all employees in the University.
To provide feedback to the central administration on university
policies and practices that affect staff and faculty.
To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on
questions relating to actual, possible or alleged discrimination as
they affect the faculty or other personnel of Rutgers, or Rutgers'
responsibility
to
the public.
To study the relations of faculty members and other personnel to
administrative officers and the manner in which administrative
requirements affect university employees.
[Note: The
Vice President for Faculty and Staff Resources shall be
asked to serve as an ex officio member of this committee.]
6. INSTRUCTION, CURRICULA AND ADVISING COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary
responsibility for issues directly related to instructional matters,
curricula
and advising. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to,
the
following:
To review the broad educational and
research policies of the University related to instruction, curricula
and advising.
To review agreements and formal relationships with other institutions,
particularly as they relate to the educational mission of the
university.
To review educational policies related to different times, places, and
manners of instruction, including distance learning and use of
technology.
To make recommendations to the Senate concerning advice to the Central
Administration about meetings, forums, and conferences on major issues
in educational policy and public service.
To examine and evaluate University-wide operations such as the
Libraries and Computer Services.
To consider matters related to the use of technology in education and
the use of distance learning technologies.
To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on
questions relating to actual, possible or alleged discrimination as
they affect Rutgers students, faculty and staff, or Rutgers'
responsibility
to
the public.
7. ACADEMIC STANDARDS, REGULATIONS AND ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary
responsibility for matters directly related to academic standards,
regulations and admissions. These responsibilities include, but are not
limited to, the
following:
To formulate minimum standards of
admission, scholarship and honors and review broad educational and
research policies of the University as they apply to issues related
to academic standards and admissions (University Regulations 2.2.2).
To study issues affecting the Academic Calendar, including receiving
comment from all sectors of the University community concerning the
Academic Calendar, offering recommendations for the University Academic
Calendar to the University Senate for action, monitoring unit
departures from the University Academic Calendar, reviewing matters
concerning the University Commencement, and making recommendations, as
needed.
To formulate policies on academic issues related to athletic programs
and student athletes.
To consider university-wide issues related to recruitment, retention,
publications, financial aid, and minority student interests.
To review university-wide regulations governing academic practices and
standards, including grading.
To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on
questions relating to actual, possible or alleged discrimination as
they affect Rutgers students, faculty and staff, or Rutgers'
responsibility
to
the public.
8. RESEARCH AND GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary responsibility
for matters
directly related to research, graduate and professional education, and
the
students and faculty affiliated with such programs. These
responsibilities
include, but are not limited to, the following:
To provide feedback and input to the
Senate on both graduate
and professional education, and on research.
To provide feedback to Rutgers’
central administration on University policies and practices that affect
graduate and professional students.
To evaluate and recommend policies concerning both internal
funding for research and the conditions under which external research
funds are
solicited, accepted, and administered.
To consider intellectual authorship, copyright, trademark,
and patent policies of the University.
To review the broad educational and research policies of the
University related to graduate and professional instruction, curricula,
and
advising.
To review educational policies related to times, places, and
manners of graduate or professional instruction, including distance
learning
and the use of technology.
To review and advise Rutgers’
president on the termination or suspension of graduate and professional
academic programs.
To address, in conjunction with the Faculty and Personnel
Affairs Committee, issues that specifically deal with graduate faculty
and
research staff.
To address issues related to workplace climate and working
conditions in the University as they concern researchers and graduate
and
professional students.
To make recommendations to the Senate concerning advice to
the central administration about meetings, forums, and conferences on
major
issues in educational policy and public service.
To advise Rutgers’ administrative officers and others,
through the Senate, on questions relating to actual, possible or
alleged
discrimination as they may affect the researchers and graduate and
professional
students and faculty of Rutgers, or Rutgers’ responsibility to
the public.
[Note: The
Senior
Vice President for Research, and the Associate Vice President for
Research Regulatory Affairs
shall be
asked to serve as an ex officio members of this committee.]