2020-21 University Structure and Governance Committee - Rutgers University Senate Skip to main content

2020-2021 University Structure and Governance Committee

Standing Charge: This Committee will study, report on, and make recommendations to the Senate on all matters pertaining to University governance, including both formal and functional relationships among units at Rutgers, relationships among student and faculty governing bodies, and the structure of the Senate itself.  This Committee shall be responsible for initiating reviews of governance issues in accordance with these guidelines. The responsibilities of this Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • To review formal relationships among academic units within the University, including the organization of disciplines. (University Regulations 2.2.2 B)
  • To advise the President, through the Senate, on the establishment or dissolution of colleges, schools, divisions, institutes and similar educational units, (University Regulations 2.2.2 B) and to review and advise the President on the termination or suspension of academic programs.
  • To consider and advise the President on special affiliations and programs (University Regulations 2.2.2 B (c) and agreements and formal relationships with other institutions, including internet service providers, particularly as they relate to the structure and unit relationships of the university.
  • To review all matters relating to the composition of the Senate (University Regulations 2.2.1. through 2.2.1.D.).
  • To study and make recommendations to the Senate on matters relating to the role and function of the Senate as a body within the University governance scheme (University Regulations 2.2.2. through 2.2.2.C.) as well as the role and function of internal structures and processes of the Senate itself (University Regulations 2.2.3. through 2.2.3.K.).
  • To coordinate relationships among the faculty and student governing bodies and the Senate, so that issues raised in one forum are brought to the attention and consideration of other appropriate units.
  • To study and make recommendations on relationships between the University and the public.
Senator Constituency
Peter Gillett, ChairRutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty
Monica Adya, MemberSchool of Business-Camden, Dean
Amna Ahmed, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Nikol Alexander-Floyd, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Faculty
Mason Ameri, MemberRutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty
Christine Bator, MemberNewark At-Large, Faculty
John Bogden, MemberNew Jersey Medical School, Faculty
Ricky Castaneda, MemberNewark College of Arts and Sciences, Student
Perry Dane, MemberRutgers Law School in Camden, Faculty
Alisa Farley, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student
Perry Halkitis, MemberSchool of Public Health, Dean
Rachel Hodes, MemberAlumni Association
Wayne Hsueh, MemberRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences At-Large, Faculty
Bingru Huang, MemberSchool of Graduate Studies, Faculty
Rhonda Lyles, MemberRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff
Gwendolyn Mahon, MemberSchool of Health Professions, Dean
Charles Menifield, MemberSchool of Public Affairs and Administration, Dean
Mary Mickelsen, MemberSenate Office
Patricia Morton, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Kimberly Mutcherson, MemberRutgers Law School in Camden, Co-Dean
Badri Nath, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Jon Oliver, MemberNew Brunswick Staff
Houshang Parsa, MemberAlumni Association
Alicia Rivera, MemberRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff
Bryan Sacks, MemberLecturer-Camden, Faculty
Kevin Schroth, MemberRBHS Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty
Troy Shinbrot, MemberSchool of Engineering, Faculty
Piyushimita Thakuriah, MemberEJBSPPP, Dean
Frances Trees, MemberSchool of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty
Bonita Veysey, MemberSchool of Criminal Justice, Dean
Robert Wayne, MemberNew Jersey Medical School, Student
Tuğrul Özel, MemberSchool of Engineering, Faculty
Senator Present Excused Absent
Gillett, Peter | Rutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty 2 0 8
Adya, Monica | School of Business-Camden, Dean 1 0 9
Ahmed, Amna | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 2 0 8
Alexander-Floyd, Nikol | School of Graduate Studies, Faculty 1 0 9
Ameri, Mason | Rutgers Business School: Undergraduate NB, Faculty 2 0 8
Bator, Christine | Newark At-Large, Faculty 0 0 6
Bogden, John | New Jersey Medical School, Faculty 0 1 9
Castaneda, Ricky | Newark College of Arts and Sciences, Student 2 0 8
Dane, Perry | Rutgers Law School in Camden, Faculty 2 0 8
Farley, Alisa | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Student 1 0 8
Halkitis, Perry | School of Public Health, Dean 0 0 10
Hodes, Rachel | Alumni Association 2 0 8
Hsueh, Wayne | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences At-Large, Faculty 1 0 9
Huang, Bingru | School of Graduate Studies, Faculty 0 0 10
Lyles, Rhonda | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff 1 0 9
Mahon, Gwendolyn | School of Health Professions, Dean 1 0 9
Menifield, Charles | School of Public Affairs and Administration, Dean 0 0 10
Mickelsen, Mary | Senate Office 0 1 9
Morton, Patricia | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 2 0 8
Mutcherson, Kimberly | Rutgers Law School in Camden, Co-Dean 0 0 10
Nath, Badri | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 0 0 10
Oliver, Jon | New Brunswick Staff 1 1 8
Parsa, Houshang | Alumni Association 1 0 9
Rivera, Alicia | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Staff 2 0 8
Sacks, Bryan | Lecturer-Camden, Faculty 0 0 10
Schroth, Kevin | RBHS Centers, Bureaus, and Institutes, Faculty 2 0 8
Shinbrot, Troy | School of Engineering, Faculty 1 0 9
Thakuriah, Piyushimita | EJBSPPP, Dean 0 0 10
Trees, Frances | School of Arts and Sciences-NB, Faculty 2 0 8
Veysey, Bonita | School of Criminal Justice, Dean 0 1 9
Wayne, Robert | New Jersey Medical School, Student 1 0 9
Özel, Tuğrul | School of Engineering, Faculty 2 0 8
Charge NumberTitleDescriptionCommittees Being ChargedCharge StatusDue Date
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