2020-21 Student Affairs Committee - Rutgers University Senate Skip to main content

2020-2021 Student Affairs Committee

Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for matters directly concerning students.  These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • To examine and address general student interests in University policies and operations, including, but not limited to, such matters as University policies on student use of drugs and alcohol, on reporting student records, and on regulating dormitories and fraternities.
  • To further concern itself with student disciplinary procedures, student health services, bookstores, etc.
  • To advise the administration, through the Senate, on policies governing the athletic fees, programs, and facilities of the University.
  • To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on questions relating to actual, possible or alleged discrimination as it affects the students of Rutgers.
  • To advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on questions relating to actual, possible, or alleged discrimination as they affect Rutgers students.
Senator Constituency
Elizabeth Matto, ChairNew Brunswick Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty
Ann Albert, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Jonathan Cabrera, MemberLecturer-Newark, Faculty
Dalya Chefitz, MemberRobert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty
Francine Conway, MemberGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Dean
Russell Crews, MemberNew Brunswick Staff
Tolulope Fadahunsi, MemberSchool of Health Professions, Student
Daniel Fox, MemberAlumni Association
Cathryn Garcia, MemberSchool of Nursing, Student
Ralph Giraud, MemberSchool of Business-Camden, Faculty
Kemal Gursoy, MemberRutgers Business School: Newark/NB, Faculty
Riana Hicks, MemberSchool of Nursing-Camden, Student
Arlene Hunter, MemberNew Brunswick Staff
Sybil James, Member
Geza Kiss, MemberRobert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty
David Lopez, MemberRutgers Law School in Newark, Co-Dean
Lisa Mahajan-Cusack, MemberLecturer-Newark, Faculty
Rupal Mansukhani, MemberErnest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty
Norman Markowitz, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Kyle Murphy, MemberSchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty
Brianna Pedro-Santiago, MemberSchool of Criminal Justice, Student
Sam Rabinowitz, MemberSchool of Business-Camden, Faculty
Sarah Shobut, MemberNewark College of Arts and Sciences, Student
Barbara Sinacori, MemberSchool of Nursing, Faculty
Thomas Stephens, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Thomas Struble, MemberAlumni Association
Mario Tommasi, MemberRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff
Jay Virani, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Xiangyue "Max" Wang, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Willie Ray Williams, MemberNewark At-Large, Faculty
Senator Present Excused Absent
Matto, Elizabeth | New Brunswick Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty 4 0 6
Albert, Ann | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 4 0 6
Cabrera, Jonathan | Lecturer-Newark, Faculty 2 1 7
Chefitz, Dalya | Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty 3 0 7
Conway, Francine | Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Dean 0 0 3
Crews, Russell | New Brunswick Staff 3 0 7
Fadahunsi, Tolulope | School of Health Professions, Student 0 0 10
Fox, Daniel | Alumni Association 1 1 8
Garcia, Cathryn | School of Nursing, Student 3 0 7
Giraud, Ralph | School of Business-Camden, Faculty 4 0 6
Gursoy, Kemal | Rutgers Business School: Newark/NB, Faculty 3 0 7
Hicks, Riana | School of Nursing-Camden, Student 0 0 4
Hunter, Arlene | New Brunswick Staff 4 0 6
James, Sybil 3 0 7
Kiss, Geza | Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Faculty 3 0 7
Lopez, David | Rutgers Law School in Newark, Co-Dean 0 0 10
Mahajan-Cusack, Lisa | Lecturer-Newark, Faculty 2 0 8
Mansukhani, Rupal | Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Faculty 1 0 9
Markowitz, Norman | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 3 0 7
Murphy, Kyle | School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty 4 0 6
Pedro-Santiago, Brianna | School of Criminal Justice, Student 3 0 7
Rabinowitz, Sam | School of Business-Camden, Faculty 4 0 6
Shobut, Sarah | Newark College of Arts and Sciences, Student 2 0 8
Sinacori, Barbara | School of Nursing, Faculty 4 0 6
Stephens, Thomas | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 4 0 6
Struble, Thomas | Alumni Association 3 1 6
Tommasi, Mario | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff 3 1 6
Virani, Jay | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 4 0 6
Wang, Xiangyue "Max" | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 4 0 6
Williams, Willie Ray | Newark At-Large, Faculty 1 0 9
Charge NumberTitleDescriptionCommittees Being ChargedCharge StatusDue Date
S-2402Institutional NeutralityShould Rutgers adopt a policy of institutional neutrality similar to the principles set forth in the University of Chicago’s Kalven Report, which would require the University, schools, academic units, and departments to refrain from taking stances on controversial political issues, so as to protect the right of individuals in the university community to pursue the fullest extent of inquiry and debate? Such a restriction, it should be noted, would not preclude individuals from taking positions on such issues.University Structure and Governance CommitteePendingDecember 4, 2024
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-2332University Senate ParliamentarianCurrently, the Parliamentarian must be a Senator. To maintain neutrality in the role and allow a Parliamentarian senator to speak on the Senate floor, consider whether changing the qualifications of the Parliamentarian to allow the appointment of a non-Senator, such as a professional hired for the role or a former Senator, and/or allowing for a Deputy Parliamentarian would better allow Senators to participate in Senate business and enhance the functioning of the Senate.Ad Hoc CommitteePendingApril 2, 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 CampusesAfter discussions with Chief Kenneth Cop, Vice President for University Libraries Consuella Askew, and library faculty, the three greatest concerns for keeping libraries open later involve public safety, staffing, and sanitation. All three of these concerns can be properly addressed with increased budgeting that will allocate the funds to increase staff, safety officers, and custodial services. We must show a need for libraries across all Rutgers campuses to be open as often as possible with complete equitable access (same days, same hours) across all Rutgers campuses. Thus, I charge that the University Senate create a survey for each campus (New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark) to explore this need. This survey is to be student-led and disseminated by its student leaders among their respective campuses. Questions should also be personalized to each campus and with an eye to equity.Student Affairs CommitteePendingMarch 5, 2025
S-2330Expanding Access to University Libraries Across CampusesAfter discussions with Chief Kenneth Cop, Vice President for University Libraries Consuella Askew, and library faculty, the three greatest concerns for keeping libraries open later involve public safety, staffing, and sanitation. All three of these concerns can be properly addressed with increased budgeting that will allocate the funds to increase staff, safety officers, and custodial services. We must show a need for libraries across all Rutgers campuses to be open as often as possible with complete equitable access (same days, same hours) across all Rutgers campuses. Thus, I charge that the University Senate create a survey for each campus (New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark) to explore this need. This survey is to be student-led and disseminated by its student leaders among their respective campuses. Questions should also be personalized to each campus and with an eye to equity.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 CommitteePendingOctober 2, 2024
S-2322Coordination of Shared Governance EntitiesThe possibility of establishing a formal mechanism for the coordination of the Senate, the Faculty Councils, the student governing associations, and any other shared governance groups. Among the possibilities the committee could consider is a coordinating council with representation from each shared governance group to facilitate collaborative interaction with the President and the Boards of Governors and Trustees. They should also determine whether any change in University Regulations would be needed to accomplish this goal.University Structure and Governance CommitteePendingOctober 30, 2024
S-2321Poor Student Busing and Employee Transportation ServicesExploring effective, timely, and safe student and employee transportation issues across the campuses.Student Affairs CommitteePendingOctober 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-2317-1Faculty Governance, Executive Appointments and Proposed Dual Positions at RutgersRecently appointed Dean of MGSA Jason Geary is to become Senior Vice Provost of academic Initiatives, while still maintaining the Deanship (albeit part-time) of MGSA. The faculty has not been consulted or asked to vote on this highly unusual arrangement. In addition, the Dean has appointed his Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (a position only created under his Deanship) to effectively serve as part-time Dean of MGSA in his absence. Again, the faculty has not been consulted on this change of arrangements and was merely informed. Offer recommendations on this situation or a statement on whether this is appropriate.University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedMarch 5, 2025
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-2314-1Continued Assessment of Ongoing Merger Process of New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolThis charge is twofold:
  • Reconvene the Ad Hoc Committee on Reviewing Proposal for the Merger of the Medical Schools to fully review information obtained from the RBHS Chancellor to date, and offer an evaluative decision concerning the ongoing merger process.
  • Request 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 and powers with respect to mergers of academic units, and the meaning of shared governance in that regard and more broadly.
Please note that this is co-submitted with Senator Monica Roth, and should also be assigned to a reconvened Ad-Hoc Committee on the Medical School Merger. This charge requests continued review of the ongoing merger process given that prior Senate requests for information have not been fully addressed.		University Structure and Governance CommitteeReissuedMarch 5, 2025
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-2208-1Divestment of Retirement Funds from Fossil FuelsInvestigate whether the investment companies utilized by Rutgers for university employees should divest from fossil fuel companies within their retirement portfolios that are known to contribute to climate change. Report back to the Senate Executive Committee.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.Faculty and Personnel 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.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-2116-2SIRSInvestigate the validity and accuracy of Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET), as well as the details of how the SIRS is implemented at Rutgers and make recommendations for its role in our new approach to the evaluation and improvement of teaching effectiveness. Please report to the Senate Executive Secretary by March 16, 2022.Faculty and Personnel Affairs CommitteeReissuedOctober 9, 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