2020-21 Research and Graduate & Professional Education Committee - Rutgers University Senate Skip to main content

2020-2021 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.]

Senator Constituency
Olga Jarrín Montaner, ChairRBHS Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty
, Member TERM LIST DOES NOT EXIST
, Member TERM LIST DOES NOT EXIST
Jean Anderson Eloy, MemberNew Jersey Medical School, Faculty
Vrushank Bhatt, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Student
Debashish Bhattacharya, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty
Detlev Boison, MemberRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences At-Large, Faculty
Rick Dool, MemberSchool of Communication and Information, Faculty
Chazz Fellenz, MemberNewark Staff
Linda Flynn, MemberSchool of Nursing, Dean
Grace Guo, MemberErnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty
Arash Hatefi, MemberErnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty
Taja-Nia Henderson, MemberGraduate School-Newark, Dean
Amanda Immidisetti, MemberRobert Wood Johnson Medical School, Student
John Joergensen, MemberRutgers Law School in Newark, Faculty
Rachel Kaye, MemberNew Jersey Medical School, Faculty
John Kettle, MemberNewark At-Large, Faculty
Jerome Kukor, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Dean
Adam Kustka, MemberUniversity College-Newark, Faculty
Valentine Lamar, MemberGraduate School-Newark, Student
Laura Lawson, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Dean
Liping Liu, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Carol Lutz, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Faculty
Luke Madson, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Student
Monica Mazurek, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Faculty
Juan Mena-Segovia, MemberNewark Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty
Christopher Molloy, MemberNew Brunswick Chancellor
Deborah Silver, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Faculty
Adrienne Simonds, MemberSchool of Health Professions, Faculty
Paul Takhistov, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty
Michael Van Stine, MemberGraduate School-Camden, Student
Carolyne White, MemberGraduate School-Newark, Faculty
Senator Present Excused Absent
Jarrín Montaner, Olga | RBHS Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty 2 0 8
, | TERM LIST DOES NOT EXIST 0 0 10
, | TERM LIST DOES NOT EXIST 0 0 10
Anderson Eloy, Jean | New Jersey Medical School, Faculty 1 0 9
Bhatt, Vrushank | School of Graduate Studies, Student 3 0 7
Bhattacharya, Debashish | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty 3 0 6
Boison, Detlev | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences At-Large, Faculty 3 0 7
Dool, Rick | School of Communication and Information, Faculty 3 0 7
Fellenz, Chazz | Newark Staff 1 0 9
Flynn, Linda | School of Nursing, Dean 0 3 7
Guo, Grace | Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty 3 0 7
Hatefi, Arash | Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty 3 0 7
Henderson, Taja-Nia | Graduate School-Newark, Dean 0 0 10
Immidisetti, Amanda | Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Student 2 0 8
Joergensen, John | Rutgers Law School in Newark, Faculty 3 0 7
Kaye, Rachel | New Jersey Medical School, Faculty 0 0 10
Kettle, John | Newark At-Large, Faculty 2 1 7
Kukor, Jerome | School of Graduate Studies, Dean 1 2 7
Kustka, Adam | University College-Newark, Faculty 2 0 8
Lamar, Valentine | Graduate School-Newark, Student 2 1 7
Lawson, Laura | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Dean 3 0 7
Liu, Liping | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 0 1 9
Lutz, Carol | School of Graduate Studies, Faculty 3 0 7
Madson, Luke | School of Graduate Studies, Student 0 0 10
Mazurek, Monica | School of Graduate Studies, Faculty 2 0 8
Mena-Segovia, Juan | Newark Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty 3 0 7
Molloy, Christopher | New Brunswick Chancellor 0 0 10
Silver, Deborah | School of Graduate Studies, Faculty 0 1 9
Simonds, Adrienne | School of Health Professions, Faculty 3 0 7
Takhistov, Paul | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty 3 0 6
Van Stine, Michael | Graduate School-Camden, Student 0 0 8
White, Carolyne | Graduate School-Newark, Faculty 2 0 8
Charge NumberTitleDescriptionCommittees Being ChargedCharge StatusDue Date
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-2401Automatic 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 CommitteePendingJanuary 8, 2025
S-2335University Senate’s Communication with Constituents Through Social MediaCharge an ad hoc committee to explore and recommend how the University Senate can utilize social media platforms (i.e., Instagram) to create and enhance communications to foster awareness and engagement.Ad Hoc CommitteePendingApril 2, 2025
S-2334Senate CommunicationsAn ad committee will be created with broad representation to evaluate procedures to regulate use of the Senate listserv.Ad Hoc CommitteePendingJanuary 8, 2025
S-2333Cost 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 CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2333Cost 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.Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2333Cost 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 CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2331Research 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 CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2330Expanding 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 CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2330Expanding 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 CommitteePendingMarch 5, 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-2325Explore the Current Virtual Senate Meeting Format and Develop Best Practices and Meeting Format RecommendationsReview the existing Senate meeting format and existing Senate Handbook meeting procedures and develop recommendations in support of virtual meetings.Information Technology CommitteeReissuedJanuary 8, 2025
S-2321Inadequate Transportation and Parking Services for Students and EmployeesExploring effective, timely, and safe student and employee transportation issues across the campuses.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedOctober 30, 2024
S-2320-1Timing and Process for Recommending Tuition, Fees, Housing Charges, and Dining ChargesReview the process and timing whereby recommendations are developed and made for annual changes in tuition, required fees, and room and board, including mechanisms for input from students, parents, and other stakeholders (including tenants with rents affected by Rutgers housing rates) and including the role of shared governance in this process. Make recommendations for any changes in this process to increase transparency and confidence in the process.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedApril 3, 2024
S-2318Increasing 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 CommitteePendingSeptember 25, 2024
S-2317-2Prevalence, 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 CommitteeReissuedMarch 5, 2025
S-2316University 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 CommitteePendingMarch 27, 2024
S-2313Whether 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 CommitteePendingMay 29, 2024
S-2313Whether 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 CommitteePendingMay 29, 2024
S-2311-1Professional 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 CommitteeReissuedMarch 5, 2025
S-2309-1Increased 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 CommitteeReissuedOctober 30, 2024
S-2308-1Conflict of Interest DeclarationsInvestigate and make recommendations on public declarations of conflicts of interest by politically exposed persons at Rutgers, including all members of the BoG and all those involved in significant financial decision-making.Budget and Finance CommitteeReissuedApril 2, 2025
S-2305-1Auditing Courses at RutgersReview course auditing at Rutgers. Make any appropriate recommendations.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedOctober 9, 2024
S-2304-1Common Hour ExamsReview the experiences of students, faculty, and staff with common hour exams at Rutgers University. Make any appropriate recommendations.Student Affairs CommitteeReissuedDecember 4, 2024
S-2304-1Common 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 4, 2024
S-2301-1Science Communication Efforts at Rutgers UniversityReview efforts in science communication initiatives across the University and provide recommendations for any measures and limitations to raise awareness of the current limitations in the field of science communication across the entire Rutgers research community.Research, and Graduate and Professional Education CommitteeReissuedApril 3, 2024
S-2301-1Science Communication Efforts at Rutgers UniversityReview efforts in science communication initiatives across the University and provide recommendations for any measures and limitations to raise awareness of the current limitations in the field of science communication across the entire Rutgers research community.Instruction Curricula and Advising CommitteeReissuedApril 3, 2024
S-2115-2Academic 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 CommitteeReissuedOctober 9, 2024
S-2207-1Office of Climate ActionConsider the current funding for the Office of Climate Action and investigate the funding model. Based on the action plan, determine if an adequate level of funding is provided to the office and report back to the Senate with any recommendations.Budget and Finance CommitteeReissuedApril 3, 2024
S-2206-1Socially 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 CommitteeReissuedMarch 5, 2025
S-2204-2Impact 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 CommitteeReissuedApril 3, 2024
S-2115-2Academic 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.Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedOctober 9, 2024
S-2002-3Challenges Related to Parking and TransportationReview the ongoing planning and financial status of parking and transportation, including its use of permits and citations as a source of revenue, and the long-term planning as it relates to transportation and parking, including plans to reduce parking on campus and how the administration plans to meet the challenges this will create.Budget and Finance CommitteeReissuedOctober 30, 2024