2020-21 Academic Standards, Regulations, and Admissions Committee - Rutgers University Senate Skip to main content

2020-2021 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.
Senator Constituency
Lucille Foster, Co-ChairNewark Staff
Robert Schwartz, Co-ChairNew Jersey Medical School, Faculty
Anne-Catherine Aubert, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Sanjib Bhuyan, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty
Jiuyang Chen, MemberSchool of Management and Labor Relations, Student
Martha Cotter, Member
Cecile Feldman, MemberRutgers School of Dental Medicine, Dean
Nina Gohel, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Christine Hunter-Fratzola, MemberRobert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty
Abin Joy, MemberRutgers Business School: Graduate Programs N/NB, Student
Neil Kothari, MemberNew Jersey Medical School, Faculty
Josephine Marchetta, MemberAlumni Association
Howard Marchitello, MemberFaculty of Arts and Sciences-Camden, Dean
Margaret Marsh, MemberCamden Chancellor
Gavin Mayes, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Moriah Mendicino, MemberRutgers Law School in Camden, Student
Donna Nickitas, MemberSchool of Nursing-Camden, Dean
Suja Patel, MemberNewark Staff
Sofia Pinto-Figueroa, Member
Cathryn Potter, MemberSchool of Social Work, Dean
Julie Rajan, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Nikita Shankar, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Sue Shapses, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty
Weijie Song, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Ted Szatrowski, MemberRutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty
Marie Yamaoka, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Senator Present Excused Absent
Foster, Lucille | Newark Staff 3 1 6
Schwartz, Robert | New Jersey Medical School, Faculty 3 1 6
Aubert, Anne-Catherine | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 3 1 6
Bhuyan, Sanjib | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty 3 1 6
Chen, Jiuyang | School of Management and Labor Relations, Student 1 2 7
Cotter, Martha 0 1 9
Feldman, Cecile | Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Dean 0 2 8
Gohel, Nina | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 2 2 6
Hunter-Fratzola, Christine | Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty 2 2 6
Joy, Abin | Rutgers Business School: Graduate Programs N/NB, Student 0 2 3
Kothari, Neil | New Jersey Medical School, Faculty 3 1 6
Marchetta, Josephine | Alumni Association 2 2 6
Marchitello, Howard | Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Camden, Dean 0 2 8
Marsh, Margaret | Camden Chancellor 0 1 9
Mayes, Gavin | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 3 1 6
Mendicino, Moriah | Rutgers Law School in Camden, Student 3 1 6
Nickitas, Donna | School of Nursing-Camden, Dean 0 3 7
Patel, Suja | Newark Staff 3 1 6
Pinto-Figueroa, Sofia 2 2 6
Potter, Cathryn | School of Social Work, Dean 2 1 7
Rajan, Julie | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 0 2 8
Shankar, Nikita | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 1 2 7
Shapses, Sue | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty 3 1 6
Song, Weijie | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 3 1 6
Szatrowski, Ted | Rutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty 3 1 6
Yamaoka, Marie | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 3 1 6
Charge NumberTitleDescriptionCommittees Being ChargedCharge StatusDue Date
S-2407Code of Conduct for Senate Virtual MeetingsAt the February 21, 2025 Senate meeting, the Senate adopted a recommendation that the Senate develop a code of conduct for University Senate virtual meetings. This ad hoc committee is charged with implementing that recommendation.Ad Hoc CommitteePendingNovember 5, 2025
S-2406Senate Role in Shared GovernanceRequest that the University Structure and Governance Committee closely review and evaluate University policy 50.2.2 with the goal of further clarifying, verifying, and delineating the Senate’s official role in shared governance.University Structure and Governance CommitteePendingJanuary 7, 2026
S-2405Teaching Faculty InclusionReview and report the extent to which teaching faculty (i.e. NTTs & Lecturers) are included in the decision-making structures and advisory spaces at the local (departmental and program) and (decanal) unit levels. Potentially propose guidelines to make local and unit-level governance more inclusive of all faculty and stakeholders, and to make practices more equitable across departments, units, and campuses.University Structure and Governance CommitteePendingDecember 3, 2025
S-2404Inter-campus Inclusion and Equity in the Rutgers Academic CalendarInvestigate the most efficient way to broaden the development, implementation, and online display of the Rutgers Academic Calendar to ensure that all campuses are fully included in a manner that supports and promotes major calendar milestones such as convocation and commencement.Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions CommitteePendingApril 2, 2025
S-2401-1Automatic Textbook BillingThe University Senate should explore the nature and impact of automatic textbook billing by investigating the following issues: 1) Why automatic textbook billing was initiated; 2) Whether and the university and professors can better inform students about enrollment in automatic textbook billing; and 3) What steps can be taken to transform this program from “opt out” (automatic charges) to “opt in” (voluntary charges).Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedNovember 5, 2025
S-2334-1Senate CommunicationsAn ad committee will be created with broad representation to evaluate procedures to regulate use of the Senate listserv.Ad Hoc CommitteeReissuedNovember 5, 2025
S-2333-1Cost Cutting and Budget DeficitsIdentify cost cutting measures that are being imposed on departments by their schools. Investigate the budgetary rationales for these cuts and their impact on the quality of academic programs.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2333-1Cost Cutting and Budget DeficitsPending BFC‘s investigation into outcomes of cost cutting measures that are being imposed on departments by their schools, FPAC will investigate departments’ responses with particular focus on manifestations and impacts on faculty and staff.Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2333-1Cost Cutting and Budget DeficitsIdentify cost cutting measures that are being imposed on departments by their schools. Investigate the budgetary rationales for these cuts and their impact on the quality of academic programs.Budget and Finance CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2331-1Research Trainee Compensation and Benefit InequityInvestigate current practices in postdoc and current doctoral student remuneration, in particular as it relates to inequality following fellowship funding and to develop solutions to reward talent.Research, and Graduate and Professional Education CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2330-1Expanding Access to University Libraries Across CampusesInvestigate current University library hours across all campuses. Determine if those hours are adequately meeting student needs (access to collections; access to study spaces; access to technology) on each campus. Make recommendations as appropriate.Student Affairs CommitteePendingDecember 3, 2025
S-2330-1Expanding Access to University Libraries Across CampusesInvestigate current University library hours across all campuses. Determine if those hours are adequately meeting student needs (access to collections; access to study spaces; access to technology) on each campus. Make recommendations as appropriate.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2329Senate Role in the Policy on Policies Processes and ProceduresStudy and provide recommendation to increase University Senate’s role on the Policy on Policies in the matters related academic affairs, educational and research matters.University Structure and Governance CommitteePendingApril 2, 2025
S-2321-1Inadequate Transportation and Parking Services for Students and EmployeesExploring effective, timely, and safe student and employee transportation issues across the campuses.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedOctober 1, 2025
S-2318-1Increasing Student Representation on the Rutgers University Senate Executive CommitteeThe University Structure and Governance Committee of the Rutgers University Senate is charged with investigating and making recommendations on the need to expand student representation on the Rutgers University Senate Executive Committee. Currently, faculty members have representation on the Rutgers University Senate Executive Committee through seats allocated to each chancellor-led unit, in addition to two at-large positions. In contrast, students are limited to four seats representing New Brunswick, Camden, Newark, and RBHS. Given that students constitute the largest constituency at Rutgers, this committee is tasked with examining whether the current representation adequately reflects the student body’s diversity, concerns, and interests. The committee shall explore potential modifications to the Rutgers University Senate Executive Committee structure to ensure a more equitable and comprehensive student representation.University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedApril 2, 2025
S-2317-3Prevalence, Procedures, and Challenges of Faculty Occupancy of Dual Leadership RolesFPAC is charged with investigating and making recommendations it deems necessary on the following two issues:
  1. How common are dual full-time faculty leadership role situations at Rutgers, and what are the rationales under which such dual roles are undertaken?
  2. What is the process by which such dual role leadership situations are undertaken, regarding (but not necessarily limited to):
    1. the potentially unfilled portion of FTE in one or both positions;
    2. the identification and selection of other individuals to supplement one or both of the dual roles, including how existing procedures for filling such positions are or are not followed (e.g., is one or both role in such situations reverted to being appointed rather than competitively hired in any circumstances);
    3. the clarification of the work tasks required for each of the leadership roles held, and evaluation of performance in those roles, given that they are engaged at less than 100% FTE;
    4. assurance that potential conflict of interest is identified and pre-empted or managed?
Note: This charge focuses on faculty specifically, excludes roles fulfilled through funding buy-outs and/or by involving summer work for those on 9-month contracts, and also omits focus on within-unit dual leadership roles unless each role historically constitutes 100% FTE (e.g., a department chair assuming the chairship of a second department within a school or college).		Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2316-1University Senate Representation on Formal Governance BoardsDetermine if there should be University Senate voting representation on all of the governing boards: Rutgers University Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, The Rutgers University Board of Directors (Foundation), The Camden Board of Directors; and, The Rowan University / Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors. Additionally, make recommendations regarding the make-up of Board membership, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedApril 2, 2025
S-2313-1Whether Students Should Substitute for Workers in Urgent SituationsThis charge, to FPAC and USGC, is to explore and provide recommendations for the appropriate deployment of any students during crisis situations. Exceptions to this must also be examined, in light of national emergencies, such as the COVID pandemic. However, a recent nursing strike over staffing issues at RWJ-Barnabas would not fall into this category.University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedSeptember 3, 2025
S-2313-1Whether Students Should Substitute for Workers in Urgent SituationsThis charge, to FPAC and USGC, is to explore and provide recommendations for the appropriate deployment of any students during crisis situations. Exceptions to this must also be examined, in light of national emergencies, such as the COVID pandemic. However, a recent nursing strike over staffing issues at RWJ-Barnabas would not fall into this category.Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedSeptember 3, 2025
S-2311-2Professional Development OpportunitiesReview the university’s policies regarding professional development opportunities to attend conferences and meetings. Investigate and, when appropriate, make recommendations regarding campus and unit rules on (i) How long a faculty member may be absent for professional development opportunities? (ii) What are the policies for making alternative arrangements if a faculty member is absent? (iii) Who covers costs if a guest lecturer is hired? (iv) Can all faculty members, including PTLs, teach occasional classes online if necessary due to justified absences? (v) How do policies about professional development opportunities differ among schools and Chancellor-led units?Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2309-2Increased Representation of Graduate Students and PTL Faculty in the University SenateEvaluate the current criteria, bylaws, and policies that decide graduate student representatives and PTL faculty in the Senate. Make appropriate changes to increased graduate student representation and PTL faculty in the Senate.University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedApril 2, 2025
S-2305-2Auditing Courses at RutgersReview course auditing at Rutgers. Make any appropriate recommendations.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedOctober 1, 2025
S-2304-2Common Hour ExamsReview the experiences of students, faculty, and staff with common hour exams at Rutgers University. Make any appropriate recommendations.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2304-2Common Hour ExamsReview the experiences of students, faculty, and staff with common hour exams at Rutgers University. Make any appropriate recommendations.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2115-3Academic FreedomIdentify and investigate any recent attacks on the academic freedom of our faculty and students with a particular focus on the University's response to these attacks.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedNovember 5, 2025
S-2206-2Socially Responsible InvestmentConsider the University Investment policy 40.2.14. Investigate whether the current investment policies should be modified by environmental, social and governance metrics to modify, add or remove investments based on the Endowment Justice Collective 2022 Divestment Proposal and the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees in March 2021. Report back to the Senate with any recommendations.Budget and Finance CommitteeReissuedDecember 3, 2025
S-2204-3Impact of CourseAtlasExplore the impact of CourseAtlas to benchmark institutional goals of the system, on academic units and departments, on faculty work-life balance, and make recommendations as appropriate. Specifically, (i) Investigate to what degree CourseAtlas has achieved the goals it was designed and implemented to achieve, (ii) explore the impact of CourseAtlas on academic units and departments’ ability to manage their own academic programs, (iii) assess the impact of CourseAtlas on the work-life balance of faculty, and (iv) propose feedback mechanisms which allow timely and meaningful faculty input on scheduling changes.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedNovember 5, 2025