UNIVERSITY SENATE
Executive Committee

A G E N D A

Remote via Zoom
March 5, 2021 – 12:00 p.m.

Chair’s Report– Jon Oliver, Senate Chair

Secretary’s Report– Mary Mickelsen, Senate Executive Secretary

• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of the February 5, 2021 Senate Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Administrative Report

Newark Coalition of Concerned Citizens – Deborah Smith-Gregory, President NAACP Newark NJ Branch and Diomedes Tsitouras, Executive Director of AAUP-BHSNJ

• Merger Talking Points
• Future of Academic Medicine – RBHS Report
• Strom Cuts to NJMS Newark – HPAE Brief
• Broken Promises to the People of Newark
• Agreements between Community & Government regarding NJ College of Medicine & Dentistry and Related Matters – April 1968

Annual Review of All Outstanding, Pending Committee Charges: Charges issued to committees lapse in March of the year following the year in which the charge was issued. Full list of Committee Charges

2021-2022 Senate Calendar Approval

Standing Committees/Panels

Proposed Charges:

Proposed Charge to the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC) on Review of the Current Procedures for the Periodic Evaluation of Deans – Submitted by Natalie Borisovets, Libraries (F)

Charge: Review the current procedures for the periodic evaluation of deans.

Background: At least one recent decanal review revealed some shortcomings in the process itself. For example, there is need for better defined timelines. Once the Dean’s Evaluation Committee sends its report to the Dean for comment, there is no set time for the Dean to respond. So, in this case, the DEC sent their report to the Dean on November 2^nd; the Dean’s response was not received until the end of January. So there was an almost three month delay before the report could be sent forward. There may be other procedural issues that other recent DECs, or the receiving offices (Chancellors/VPAA) could identify.

Proposed Charge to the Instruction, Curricula, and Advising Committee (ICAC) on Best Practices for Asynchronous Instruction – Submitted by Natalie Borisovets, Libraries (F) and ICAC Chair

Charge: Consider and make recommendations on best practices for asynchronous instruction.

Background: While asynchronous instruction has been an integral part of online instruction during the pandemic, it is likely that the demand for asynchronous instruction will continue once the crisis has passed. The Committee would like to consider both procedural issues (eligibility, limits, how departments may decide who and how many students could elect asynchronous instruction) and pedagogical issues (types of content better suited to this format, the kids of skills faculty need to master, what best promotes interaction and learning in an asynchronous environment, how does a hybrid model fit with asynchronous instruction?).

Proposed Charge to the Instruction, Curricula, and Advising Committee (ICAC) on Exam Conflict Policies – Submitted by Natalie Borisovets, Libraries (F) and ICAC Chair

Charge: Review Rutgers University policies regarding final exam conflicts and possible impacts on students with disabilities. Make recommendations as appropriate.

Background: Rutgers University is responsible for providing equal opportunity and access to its constituents on a University-wide level. Existing policies seem to recognize only three situations that can be considered an exam conflict:

• • • • More than two (2) final exams on one calendar day;
      • More than two (2) final exams scheduled in consecutive periods (ex: A student has exams scheduled for 4:00-7:00pm and 8:00-11:00pm on one day and 8:00-11:00am the following day;
      • Two (2) final exams scheduled for the same exam period

Historically, the Office of Disability Services has worked individually with faculty and staff when exam conflicts arise due to accommodations. Testing accommodations can extend typically scheduled 3-hour finals to 4.5 or even 6-hour finals, which contributes to an unrealistic expectation that a student could take two of them in the same day. the committee would like to review the exam conflict policies as to inclusivity and recognition of the needs of students with accommodations.

Proposed Charge to the Instruction, Curricula, and Advising Committee (ICAC) on Office of Disability Services – Submitted by Natalie Borisovets, Libraries (F) and ICAC Chair

Charge: Consider the work of the Office of Disability Services and how it has been affected by the pandemic. Examine the patterns of responsibility and interaction between the office, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty. Identify any perceived issues that might impact ODS’s mission to provide and maintain equal opportunity and access across the University, and potential strategies to support their work.

Background: While enrollment may have decreased during the pandemic, use of ODS services appears to have increased. The office walks a fine line because of federal laws and what is expected of students as young adults, what the office by law can and cannot do, and a lack of understanding by many faculty members, at least some of whom feel that ODS lacks sufficient avenues of communication and response. Students, especially new incoming students, often don’t know kinds of accommodations may be available, or their own responsibilities in making their needs known.

Committee Reports:

Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC) Response to S-2007: PTL Health and Wellness – FPAC Co-Chairs Farid Alizadeh, RBS:N/NB (F) and Joseph Markert, RBS:N/NB (F)

The FPAC was charged as follows:

S-2007: Investigate the range and awareness of health and wellness services available to part-time lecturers across the University and make recommendations.

Student Affairs Committee (SAC) Response to S-2003: Rutgers-Alumni Relations – SAC Co-Chairs Elizabeth Matto, NB-CBI (F) and Sarah Shobut, SAS-N (S)

The SAC was charged as follows:

S-2003: Evaluate alumni engagement and provide recommendations as to what changes could be made, if necessary, particularly while students are still enrolled, to further Rutgers-Alumni relations.

University Structure and Governance Committee Response to S-2005: Student Governance – USGC Chair Peter Gillett, RBS:UNB (F)

The USGC was charged as follows:

S-2005: Evaluate the formal and informal processes for the creation of student governing association and if appropriate, make recommendations regarding the organization and recognition of SGAs.

Nominating Panel 2021: An email has been sent by Mary Mickelsen to all current Senators this week announcing the opportunity to submit self-nominations or nominations of others for 2021-2022 Senate officer and board representative positions. The email will direct Senators to nominating instructions and the Nominating Panel Charge. The Executive Committee is asked to appoint Senators to serve on a Nominating Panel that can be called upon to suggest additional nominees in categories not sufficiently populated within the next several weeks. [Senate rosters will be attached to the agenda of the April 30, 2021 Organizational meeting.]

Old Business

Revisit the Proposed Charge on Review of University Policy 20.1.22 – No Smoking Policy – Nicolette Garthe, Research Teaching Specialist; Michelle Kennedy, Program Coordinator – Center for Tobacco Studies; and Senator Kevin Schroth, RBHS-CBI (F)

The below charge was presented to the Senate Executive Committee on October 9, 2020 by Senator Kevin Schroth, RBHS-CBI (F). After discussion it was decided to bring the proposal back for consideration after the successful completion of the RU Tobacco Free survey.

Proposed Charge: Review the University “No Smoking Policy”. Consider renaming the policy to be inclusive of all tobacco products. Evaluate the current awareness among the community on health risks posed by tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and education protocol promoting cessation among tobacco users. Make recommendations on any necessary changes.

Background: Tobacco use is the leading cause of premature preventable death in New Jersey and the U.S. Decades of effort have decreased youth cigarette smoking significantly. However, recent trends are threatening those public health gains. Youth e-cigarette use has surged to epidemic levels. Youth cigar use and hookah smoking have also increased. Preventing youth from using nicotine-containing tobacco products is critically important because once they become addicted, they are likely long-term users. Likewise, encouraging tobacco users of all ages to quit can improve their health. This is particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cigarette smoke and e-cigarette aerosol cause lung inflammation and lower immune function, both of which are associated with more severe cases of COVID-19. Clean air policies reduce smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure. Nevertheless, only 16% of accredited colleges and universities in the US are 100% smoke-free or tobacco-free. Moreover, among the BIG 10’s fourteen members, nine schools have 100% tobacco-free campuses, and two are 100% smoke-free. Rutgers’ current policy bans smoking and e-cigarette use indoors, but outdoors, it merely bans smoking and using e-cigarettes within thirty feet of buildings. By adopting a 100% tobacco-free campus policy, Rutgers can improve community health and demonstrate its leadership and commitment to public health.

New Business

University Senate March 26, 2021 Agenda

• Regular Senate Meeting via Zoom
• New Brunswick Chancellor’s Report by Christopher Molloy
• USGC Report on S-1908: Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker Selection Process
• USGC Report on S-1904: Review of Proposed Resolution on Rutgers’ Faculty Councils Inclusion in the University Policy Library

Adjournment