Charge: Eligibility for institutional undergraduate need-based financial aid has been reduced from $100k AGI to $65k AGI, specifically the Scarlet Guarantee and Tuition Assistance Programs. Look at why the University is implementing these directions to One Stop, and whether the University will reverse such policies.

Rationale: Here is the relevant link to the Scarlet Guarantee along with this link to the Rutgers budget announcement. Focus on where the Scarlet Guarantee eligibility is from 0 to 65K AGI and also where Rutgers will cover tuition gaps that the state no longer covers through the state Garden State Guarantee program for the 25-26 year. The senate should research and make recommendations because if enacted, will increase debt and financial strain upon students, and paying off such increased debt because of the lack of support from Rutgers administration will be detrimental towards alumni’s cost of living with additional loan burden. Costs are already high due to current events and many may not be able to afford such an increase in net cost, which students will have to resort to taking debt to cover. This policy change will also be detrimental to the financial stability of many students here, because many students commute in order to pay little in tuition and fees, but will have to pay significantly more in cost due to cuts in financial aid. Many students also rely on the Basic Needs Center and other food assistance programs to get by and a cost increase is going to be a significant cost burden to them. Research and recommendations should be made because while the context of the decision aforementioned is understandable, it is not an excuse to the deliberate decision to end financial aid support for students.

Proposed Charge (1:50 – 2:00 p.m.)

Exploratory Discussion of Physical Working Conditions Across Rutgers Work Locations- Senator Susan DeMatteo, Staff-RBHS

Charge: The Executive Committee is requested to consider creating and assigning, as appropriate, a charge to the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee to explore ways the University Senate might better understand physical working conditions for all Rutgers University employees across all physical work locations within the four Chancellor‑led units. This exploratory discussion may consider high‑level approaches, such as a Senate‑led survey, to identify general patterns that could inform future Senate discussion, with reference to commonly recognized standards including OSHA, New Jersey PEOSH, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This request is advisory only and does not constitute an audit or compliance review; any communication to the full Senate may be shared in any format deemed appropriate.

Rationale: Equitable physical working conditions are a key component of workplace climate and institutional fairness across Rutgers University. Given differences in campus location, facility age, and infrastructure, an exploratory discussion would allow the Senate to consider whether it has sufficient high‑level awareness of how working environments vary across locations and align, in general terms, with minimum standards related to safety and accessibility under OSHA, New Jersey PEOSH, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This inquiry is intended to promote awareness and informed dialogue in support of the Senate’s advisory role.

Proposed Charge (2:00 – 2:10 p.m.)

A Charge to Allocate University Obstetrics and Gynecology (OGBYN) Services to Alumni- Senator Tesia Yachimovicz, Student- New Brunswick

Charge: Produce a resolution pushing Rutgers University to adopt the following policy measures proposed by the RoUndTable Collective, a group of Rutgers alumni pursuing improved collective wellbeing by advocating for the university to extend its OB/GYN services to recent alumni: (i) establish an Alumni OBGYN Access Program under the auspices of Rutgers Student Health, whereby any undergraduate alumni within twelve (12) months of their graduation date shall be eligible for up to four (4) OBGYN visits at any participating campus health center; (ii) eliminate insurance as a barrier to entry by ensuring that proof of insurance is not required as a condition of access so long as the recipient provides identification as a Rutgers alumna within the past year, with a sliding-scale co-pay structure made available to ensure affordability; (iii) implement a proactive notification system so that graduating seniors are notified of their eligibility in writing at or before the time of graduation, with updated program information maintained on student and alumni affairs web portals; and (iv) conduct a process and effects evaluation annually to ensure accountability and allow for program refinement, with an annual report submitted to the Office of the President detailing utilization rates, demographic data subject to applicable privacy statutes, and any recommended program adjustments.

Rationale: Upon graduation, Rutgers alumni are losing access to critical reproductive healthcare the moment they toss their caps into air, which is why the Senate should push to extend Rutgers University’s existing Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) student health services to undergraduate alumni for a period of twelve (12) months following their graduate date, permitting up to four (4) covered visits during that window. For enrolled students prior to graduation, healthcare coverage under Rutgers University enables students to schedule OBGYN visits with medical professionals trained to provide reproductive care, with routine services that may include but are not limited to: a thorough review of the student’s medical history; a discussion of symptoms or problems (such as irregular periods or vaginal discharge); an assessment/screening for the need for contraception; and an examination (usually including an STI panel, urinalysis, cancer screenings, pelvic exams, and an annual pap smear). By amending existing legislation regarding access to healthcare services, Rutgers will provide a stepping stool for its graduates, many of whom may be uninsured or underinsured following graduation, while bettering the health of Rutgers alumni and strengthening the relationship between the alumni community and Rutgers University as the alma mater to support continued interaction post-graduation.

Proposed Charge (2:10 – 2:20 p.m.)

Clarifying use of Executive Committee action on behalf of the full University Senate- Senator Brian Everett, Staff- Camden

Charge: Provide clarification about when it is permissible for the Executive Committee to act on behalf of the entire University Senate during the traditional academic calendar and/or university senate year. Similarly, provide clarity on the ability for emergency senate meetings to be called for during the academic calendar year / university senate year.

Rationale: In the 2025-2026 academic year, the University Senate’s Executive Committee acted on behalf of the entire university senate on March 6th and on May 12th. On March 6th, a resolution related to the university budget was passed by the Executive Committee without consulting the Senate at larger nor the Budget and Finance Committee. On May 12th, the Executive Committee acted on behalf of the entire university senate and passed a resolution which included the censure of a dean instead of calling for an emergency senate meeting. Both instances result in headlines suggesting the entire University Senate did these things, even though it was only the Executive Committee.

Open Charge Request (2:20-2:25)

FPAC requests an extension on:

S- S-2333-1: Cost Cutting and Budget Deficits – Due June 3, 2026

Open Charge Request (2:25 – 2:30 p.m.)

BFC requests an extension until November 4, 2026, on:

S-2206-2: Socially Responsible Investment – Due September 2, 2026

Rutgers Edge Presentation – Louis Gremillion Jr., Associate Vice President for Advancement and Special Assistant to the President (2:30 – 3:10 p.m.)

Open Charge Request (3:10 – 3:15 p.m.)

USGC requests an extension until January 6, 2027, on:

S-2309-2: Increased Representation of Graduate Students and Lecturer Faculty in the University Senate – Due September 2, 2026
S-2316-1: University Senate Representation on Formal Governance Boards – Due September 2, 2026
S-2318-1: Increasing Student Representation on the Rutgers University Senate Executive Committee – Due September 2, 2026
S-2405: Teaching Faculty Inclusion – Due September 2, 2026
S-2406: Senate Role in Shared Governance – Due September 2, 2026

Old Business

New Business

Adjournment

No minutes have been recorded for this meeting.

Present Senators

Paul Boxer Lucille Foster Anna Haley Geza Kiss Heather Pierce Wendy Purcell David Salas-de la Cruz

Excused Senators

Absent Senators

Rochelle Andrews Spencer Asch Arielle Berkowitz Siatta Davis Ashleie Gordy Humna Hussain Chidera Ntiwunka-Ifeanyi Robert Schwartz Rob Scott Safanya Searcy Marisa Syed

Rutgers University Senate

Executive Committee Meeting

No minutes have been recorded for this meeting.

Present Senators

Excused Senators

Absent Senators

Next Executive Committee Meeting

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