Rutgers University Senate
University
Structure and
Governance Committee
Resolution:
Support for the Chair of the University
Senate
As amended and adopted by the University Senate on September 30, 2005
Finding: The
Report of the
Joint Commission on
University Governance in June 1979
recommended that the Chair and other responsible officers of the
University
Senate receive support in order to encourage them to seriously carry
out their
important duties. This issue has been
adopted twice by the Senate in the past.
The University Structure and Governance Committee agrees with
this
recommendation.
Recommendation:
Recognizing the increased responsibilities of the Senate
Chair, and to improve the effectiveness of the Senate’s operations, we
recommend to the President that the central administration provide
additional
support to the Senate. If the Chair of
the Senate is a faculty member, that person’s department should receive
relief
which allows the department to provide one course release to the
faculty
member. If the Chair of the Senate is a
student, there should be a provision for students to receive elective or independent course (or
internship) credit for their service to
the Senate through arrangements with an appropriate department. Appropriate relief should be made if the
Chair is a representative of other constituencies of the Senate.
The University Senate believes that it would
enhance the role of shared governance and, especially, it would send a
strong
message to all levels that service is indeed appreciated, if FASIP, P4P
or
other appropriate rewards were given at the president’s level to
individuals
providing significant service to the university through the Senate.