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Becoming a Rutgers University Senator

Why might you want to be a RU Senator?

You might want to be a Senator if you recognize the importance of bringing the Rutgers community’s voice to the president and administration. If you think you can devote the time and attention Senate membership requires, and you feel you could ably represent the views of your constituency (faculty, staff, students, alumni) in advising Rutgers’ administration on a wide variety of issues, you should consider running for a position on the University Senate. You should probably not join the Senate if: you can’t contribute to committee work (attending full-Senate meetings is only one-third of the job); or if your work schedule prohibits it. It’s also important to remember that, in many instances, the Senate advises on policy; it doesn’t dictate it.

Participation in the Senate and Senate Committees

Being aware and informed on the issues under consideration by the Senate, so you can respond and vote on the reports and recommendations on those issues when they come to the Senate floor, is imperative. To the extent possible, you should also communicate with your constituents so they know what issues are current, and so you have a sense of their views. All Senators serve as representatives of their constituents. As such, they are the voice of the Rutgers University community in the shared-governance process.

Participating in the Senate committees requires a willingness to understand and discuss the specific issues charged to your standing committee. Working together, committee members bring their perspectives and ideas to a discussion that eventually becomes a report that the full Senate (in most cases) is asked to adopt. Whatever the Senate adopts is sent to Rutgers’ administration as the voice of the greater Rutgers community on that issue. Outside of committee meetings, members are often asked to read and comment by email. The Senate rarely acts on an issue without first considering that issue in committee.

How do you get elected?

Most schools conduct their elections on an academic year-basis. Find your constituency below for specific instructions.

  • Faculty: Contact your dean
  • Students: Contact your student governing association
  • Staff: You will be contacted directly through RU Human Resources by email
  • Lecturers: You will be contacted directly through RU Human Resources by email
  • Alumni: Contact the Rutgers University Alumni Association

Still Interested?

For more detailed information about the University Senate and the integral role a Senator plays in shared governance at Rutgers, review the University Senate Handbook.