RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 9, 2026

MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrews, Asch, Foster (Chair), Boxer, Davis, Gordy, Kiss, Ntiwunka-Ifeanyi, Purcell (Vice Chair), Schwartz, Scott

ALSO ATTENDING: T. Cooper (University Senate Executive Secretary), R. Gigliotti (Chief of Staff, President’s Office-Rutgers), M. Smith (University Senate Administrative Assistant), A. Murtha(Dean, RWJMS)

The regular meeting of the University Senate Executive Committee (EC) was held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. remotely via Zoom.

Chair’s Report– Lucille Foster, Senate Chair

Chair Foster called the January 9, 2026 Senate EC meeting to order at 12:04 p.m.. Chair Foster made an announcement that Brian Ballentine stepped down as Chief of Staff and has been replaced by Ralph Gigliotti, who will join the EC meeting at 12:30 p.m..

Secretary’s Report– Taryn Cooper, Senate Executive Secretary

• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of the December 5, 2025 Senate Executive Committee Minutes
• Communications

• • The January 23, 2026 Senate meeting is the Provost’s Roundtable discussion.
  • A survey was distributed to determine emergency EC meeting times.
  • The Senate Social is being held on February 27, 2026 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Senate Office Budget Process

Chair Foster motioned to amend the order of the agenda and begin with the Senate Office budget conversation given Dean Murtha was scheduled to attend at 12:30 p.m.; the request was approved without objection. The Executive Secretary shared a breakdown of the Senate Office operational budget categories and spend per category. The EC agreed to develop a budget addendum to request additional funding for 2026-2027 AY to cover more conference travel, the costs of an in-person event, and possible student Senator scholarships or stipends. Chair Foster will prepare a draft and share it with the EC for any final comments. She will also socialize the matter during her upcoming meeting with Ralph Gigliotti.

Discussion- Amy Murtha, Dean – RWJMS

Standing Committees/Panels

Committee Report and Recommendations

University Structure and Governance Committee – Wendy Purcell and Patricia Morton, Co-Chairs

Information only : Report on S-2329: Senate Role in the Policy on Policies Process and Procedures

USGC was charged as follows:

Study and provide recommendation to increase University Senate’s role on the Policy on Policies in the matters related academic affairs, educational and research matters.

Outcome: The EC docketed this report (with the omission of the Appendix) for the January Senate agenda for information only.

Committee Report and Recommendations

Instruction, Curricula, and Advising Committee and Student Affairs Committee – Natalie Borisovets (ICAC), Alexander Pichugin (ICAC), Gary Santos Mendoza (SAC), Rachael Maeng Brown (SAC),Co-Chairs

Report on S-2304-2 Common Hour Exams

ICAC and SAC were jointly charged as follows:

Review the experiences of students, faculty, and staff with common hour exams at Rutgers University. Make any appropriate recommendations.

Outcome: The EC docketed this report for the January Senate agenda.

Proposed Charge

Review Current Senate Voting Procedures and Proposing Amendments to Formally Include an “Abstain” Option- Senator Suja Patel, Staff- Newark

Charge: Assess existing Senate bylaws and standing rules to determine where the addition of an Abstain option should be codified.

Rationale: I have been serving on the Senate since 2017 and I watch the votes, I noticed that sometimes one charge will have a large number of votes, then less votes on the next vote, then back to a large number of votes. I at times also feel that I do not want to say in favor: of the charge but also I do not want to say not in favor;…I find myself wanting to abstain but be able to record my vote. I then wonder why some senators say not in favor when there is no reason to but perhaps, they prefer to abstain (especially when it is a topic that is not controversial).

Outcome: The EC determined that the abstain button could be brought back through the Senate website and such a change does not need to be a charge. However, the EC voted not to add an abstention button at this time because keeping quorum accurate throughout the meeting is what will ensure accurate voting. The Executive Secretary noted that this is a current ticket with the IT team.

Open Charge Request

ITC requests to be discharged on:

S-2504: Implementation of Electronic Student ID Access via Mobile Credentials

The nature of the charge language is not something ITC can explore and implement, but rather a solution for OIT to pursue.

Outcome: The EC discharged this charge from ITC.

Rutgers MADC Taskforce Update

Senator Paul Boxer reported that a statewide NJMADC compact has been created with several schools. Their next step is to schedule their first meeting once everyone returns from winter break.

Outcome: The EC docketed this update for the January Senate agenda. A written report, to include the list of schools, was requested.

Old Business

There was none.

New Business

There was none.

Adjournment

The Executive Committee adjourned at 1:31 p.m.

Minutes prepared by: Taryn Cooper, Executive Secretary of the University Senate