2019-2020Research, and Graduate and Professional Education Committee

Examine the pedagogical, financial and space implications of the increased use of the hybrid model of teaching at Rutgers. Investigate existing models of hybrid courses at Rutgers and other institutions. Identify best practices, and suggest models for Rutgers’ hybrid courses. Examine the feasibility of indicating whether a course is taught face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online in the course schedule.

Consider the proposal by PTL Senator Joseph Markert to change eligibility for faculty Senator elections to include full-time, non-tenure-track faculty. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by April 2009.

Discuss, and make recommendations on, how Rutgers can best promote professional and personal development for all of its employees. Consider in these discussions Rutgers' established mechanisms for providing educational opportunities for faculty and staff and their families, the draft resolution on this matter from the Staff Caucus, and relevant input solicited through appropriate Rutgers offices and individuals from various, affected constituencies. Evaluate the mechanisms by which such opportunities are made available to employees, and suggest improved means for encouraging Rutgers employees to take advantage of available professional and personal development programs, and for establishing a continuing culture of employee development at Rutgers. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by November 2009.

Consider whether the University Senate should establish a general, maximum time limit for committee responses to charges issued by the Executive Committee. Make recommendations on time limits, and how to deal with charges that are pending in committee beyond specific deadlines or overall time limits. Respond to the Senate Executive Committee by March 5, 2010.

Consider and report on the Proposal on the add/drop period submitted by Senator Candice Greaux, and the related resolution from the Rutgers University Student Assembly. Consult with financial aid personnel at Rutgers when discussing the issues in the proposal and resolution. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by December 2009.

Investigate and make recommendations on communication processes used to inform students, faculty, and staff about what to do in various emergency situations. These situations may include bomb threats, fires, chemical spills, and individuals with weapons. Consult with Vice President for Student Affairs Gregory Blimling, Executive Director for Public Safety Jay Kohl, and Senior Director of Campus Information Services Matt Weismantel on this issue. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by November 2008.

Evaluate the current procedures for faculty, staff and student evaluation of deans since implementation in 2004. Recommend changes where appropriate, and examine the feasibility of extending the process to include vice presidents and other administrators.

Review the Proposal to Increase Staff Representation on the University Senate from the Union of Rutgers Administrators - American Federation of Teachers Local 1766, which proposes the following: "We recommend that the University Senate double the number of seats for staff from 10 to 20 by January 1, 2011." Respond to Senate Executive Committee by January 2010.

Evaluate existing and potential disparities in intellectual opportunity and services offered between part-time and full-time master’s and professional degrees. Look into the effects of such disparities on students, including students' ability to complete these degrees on time. Assess logistical constraints as well as cross-listing benefits. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by March 5, 2010.

The University Senate, as the preeminent shared governance organization representing all constituencies at Rutgers, is deeply concerned about the welfare of the university and all of us who are a part of it. Thus, we have concerns about many of the measures included and many of the measures not included in the response of the administration to the current crisis. As a partner in this process, we believe it is urgent that we advise both the Barchi administration and the incoming Holloway administration on fashioning a response that will minimize the harmful effects of the crisis on the university and all of its constituencies.

Consider and critique the draft permanent Academic Integrity Policy prepared by the Ad-hoc Academic Integrity Committee. Provide comments, criticisms, and suggestions for changes to the Ad-hoc Committee on an ongoing basis. Report to the Senate on progress on developing a new policy by March 2010.

Examine the function of disability services support to determine the adequacy of resource allocation and awareness. This includes the review of the adequacy of physical resources, the availability of funds for outside services and required accommodation equipment and tools, and sources for increases in professional and support personnel. Recommend best practices to be implemented which would allow for the effective dissemination of information to faculty and staff to promote awareness so they may be a part of the solution towards providing accommodations and supporting this unique population of students.

Consider proposals to limit discussion during University Senate meetings, when motions are on the floor, to that of Senators and specifically invited guests. Also consider proposals to provide for public input to issues before the Senate, such as possibly providing for opening the Senate meetings to the public during the President's Annual Address to the Rutgers Community, as well as during the three annual campus reports, and at other times, such as in public hearings or forums by the Senate or any of its committees, and possibly when the Senate is in committee of the whole. Respond to the Senate Executive Committee by December 2009.

Review the process by which external letters are solicited and utilized in the reappointment/promotion process. Include a response to the issues raised by Senator Eric Allender regarding changes made to the 2008-09 Academic reappointment/Promotion Instructions. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by January 2011.

Review new faculty orientation programs, including those for part-time lecturers, around the university. How can the process be improved? How do faculty know where and to whom to go for various services and guidance? Are there commonalities across all faculty hires which could be combined into one program/information book? Should there be different programs for tenured vs. nontenured new hires? Respond to Senate Executive Committee by February 2011. *Report for Information Only - No Action Taken*

Review the results of the faculty survey on faculty retirement issues that was conducted by the Faculty Affairs and Personnel Policy Committee of the New Brunswick Faculty Council. Where appropriate, based on the survey’s conclusions, make recommendations on faculty retirement issues to be sent to the central administration.

Review and report on the final version of the Academic Integrity Policy. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by January 2011.

Recognizing that staff senators joined the Senate as a single group, and that their terms are for two years, resulting in concurrent term expiration dates for all staff Senators, consider the feasibility of staggering those terms. If staggered terms are found to be appropriate, make recommendations on how to divide the terms so only a portion of the total number ends in any given year. Respond to Senate Executive Committee by January 2011.

Investigate the integration of all-funds budgeting with the university planning objectives and its implementation. Also investigate how all-funds budgeting applies at the department level.

Consider the Recommendations on the Conduct of Staff Senator Elections proposed by the Staff Caucus. Recommend elements of an inclusive, practical method of electing staff Senators, based on the proposal, processes used in past Staff Senator elections, and other research and discussion. Recognizing that many types of staff with varying technology skills and primary languages should not be disenfranchised in their effort to run for positions on the University Senate, the Staff Caucus presented a series of recommendations to ensure that all staff remain enfranchised.

Review Academic Reappointment/Promotion Form 1-A, and make recommendations to improve the form in terms of usability and user-friendliness, as well as scheduling and notification of the need for faculty to complete the form, and versatility of the form for other purposes. Consider the supporting information prepared by Senator Leslie Fishbein, who proposed this charge.

As recommended in the Senate's February 2007 Partial Response on Charge S-0603, Senate Membership, New Brunswick, review the student-Senator distribution to evaluate whether it currently provides adequate representation and participation in governance for all populations of students in New Brunswick/Piscataway.

Examine and respond to the report by the United States National Research Council, specifically, its ratings of Rutgers' graduate programs.

Survey the existing state of online education at Rutgers and identify issues and challenges.

The master affiliation agreement among Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers Health Group, Inc., and RWJ Barnabas Health (RWJBH) reflects a shared objective to create a “world-class academic health center that is nationally recognized for its education, research, clinical care, and commitment to improving access to healthcare for and reducing health care disparities among the residents of the State of New Jersey.”1 This agreement seeks to “establish structures, arrangements, and commitments that will facilitate the alignment of their respective clinical, teaching, and research missions and will provide for coordinated growth and investment in all areas.”2 This relationship will be overseen by a Joint Committee, comprised of representatives from the University (i.e., chancellor and three additional representatives) and RWJBH (RWJBH CEO and three additional representatives) and established to facilitate strategic planning and oversight of all aspects of the affiliation, including consolidation of education and research activities.3

Evaluate and make recommendations on how Student Senators are elected. Consider if there should be a requirement for direct election of Senators.