RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SENATE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
September 4, 2026

MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrews, Boxer (Vice Chair), Campbell, Chintala, Davis, Gittelman, Haley (Chair), Kiss, Kutska, Knievel, Paris, Purcell, Rastogi, Sheppard, Vasquez.

ALSO ATTENDING: T. Cooper (University Senate Executive Secretary), B. Everett (BOG Staff Representative), R. Gigliotti (President’s Office – Chief of Staff), G. Mason-Walker (BOG Student Representative), C. Ntiwunkia-Ifeanyi (BOT Student Representative), R. Schwartz (BOG Faculty Representative), M. Smith (University Senate Administrative Assistant),W.F. Tate, IV (Rutgers University President).

The regular meeting of the University Senate Executive Committee was held on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. remotely via Zoom.

Chair’s Report– Anna Haley, Senate Chair

Chair Haley called the September 4, 2026 Senate Executive Committee Meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Her opening remarks highlighted a collaborative leadership style for the Senate. Chair Haley summarized the following meetings held over the summer:

• Introductory meeting held on July 27, 2026 with Chief of Staff Ralph Gigliotti.
• Introductory meeting held on July 28, 2026 with Jewell Battle to review the university policy development and approval committees.
• An informational meeting held on August 5, 2026 with Senate Policy Approval Committee Senate Representatives Senator Shinbrot and Senator Scott about the process and Senate role.
• An emergency meeting of EC held on August 12, 2026.
• NJMADC meeting held on August 14, 2026 which met to discuss an issue of an academic freedom violation at Stockton University.
• A follow up meeting held on August 26, 2026 with OGC on the Free Expression Guidelines.
• Introductory meeting held on August 31, 2026 with President Tate which noted that immediate action or response from the university to the recent Department of Education letter was not necessary.

Secretary’s Report– Taryn Cooper, Senate Executive Secretary

• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of the June 6, 2025 Senate Executive Committee Minutes
• Approval of the August 12, 2026, Emergency Senate Executive Committee Minutes
• Policy updates:
  • 60.1.33 Title IX Policy Resolution Procedures – Updated
  • 100.2.11 Prescribing Controlled Substances (Opioids) – Updated
• Communications
  • New Senator Orientation: Fri. Sept. 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Robert’s Rules Training: Fri. Sept. 11 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  • Chancellors Commencement Committee Volunteers Announcement
  • Senate Social Media Subcommittee Volunteers Announcement
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Cross-Campus Equity in Student, Faculty, and Staff Experiences, Support, and Recognition Volunteers Announcement

President’s Administrative Session (12:15 – 12:35 p.m.)  – William F. Tate, IV, President

President Tate joined the meeting and answered questions on the following topics:

• The administration’s tasks over the summer including touring with the women’s basketball team to Peru and a crisis management workshop.
• If there are any prioritized upcoming issues that would be amenable to a shared governance process?
  • The university budget being highlighted as one of the issues that could be better.
• Updates on the progress of the Camden campus with the Chancellor search and new enrollment strategies.
• University budget presentation to the Board of Governors on October 1^st which will be given to administration for distribution to the Senate before the public. Senate can provide feedback.

Executive Committee Function Overview and Caucus Meeting Representatives (12:35 – 12:50 p.m.)

The role of the EC was reviewed by Executive Secretary Cooper, Chair Haley, and Vice Chair Boxer including determining agendas for upcoming Senate meetings, filtering charges to committees, and collaborating with committee co-chairs on committee work through drop in meetings with the EC. Senator Robert Schwartz will convene the first faculty caucus. Senator Rochelle Andrews will convene the first alumni caucus. Senator Nathaniel Paris will convene the first student caucus. Senator Siatta Davis will convene the first staff caucus. Goal of the EC reps is to be full representatives.

New Senate Agenda Structure (12:50 – 1:00 p.m.)

Executive Secretary Cooper reviewed the proposed senate agenda structure. Concerns were highlighted to include cutting administrative reports short now that they appeared later in the day. The EC approved the use of the new agenda structure and can modify as needed in the future.

Appointment of University Senate Parliamentarian (1:00 – 1:10 p.m.)

Chair Haley discussed the role of the School of Social Work intern, Cynthia Duchantier, working between the New Brunswick Faculty Council and Senate office, with an objective being that the intern can fill in as Parliamentarian following the completion of their training. The EC approved Cynthia and Safanya Searcy as Parliamentarians for the upcoming year. Senator Andrews suggested reaching out to Greek life organizations as they may have certified parliamentarians within in their chapters. She also suggested reaching out to Senator Dewanna Graham. Senator Chintala suggested Senator Pierce. Senator Purcell suggested Senator Natalie Borisovets could be a temporary solution.

Quorum Button Test (1:10 – 1:20 p.m.)

Executive secretary Cooper provided a demonstration of a quorum button on the Senate login page. The EC approved use of the quorum button for the future Senate meetings.

Senate Social Planning (1:20 – 1:30 p.m.)

Chair Haley presented the opportunity to have a Senate social at each geographical location of the campuses at a later time in the day compared to the previous early afternoon socials. The Executive Secretary will reach out to everyone who has responded to the initial outreach to get a meeting convened for planning.

Senate Internal Budget Committee Establishment (1:30 – 1:40 p.m.)

The EC approved the topic as an agenda item for the September Senate meeting. The item is for the Senate to vote on establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee on Senate Internal Budget, which will need to establish a mission statement and process of fund expenditure.

SAS-Camden Dean’s Evaluation Committee Volunteers (1:40 – 1:45 p.m.)

The EC approved sending a call out to the full Senate soliciting for volunteers.

Rutgers Health Reporting Structure Letter Follow Up – Original Letter, Memo, Response from Chancellor Johnson (1:45 – 1:55 p.m.) – Senator Wendy Purcell

Senator Purcell presented the letter to the interim Chancellor and his response. Senators had been invited to feedback on any issues by September 28. Senator Purcell will collate responses and bring back any concerns to EC.

Standing Committees/Panels

Committee Report and Recommendations:

          None.

 Proposed Charge (1:55 – 2:05 p.m.)

Standardizing Library Operating Hours and Closing Times – Senator Tesia Yachimovicz

Charge: Investigate the feasibility of implementing uniform, 2:00 AM closing hours across all University libraries (New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses). Assess the current closing times at each campus and the impact of each library closing at different hours on student wellbeing.

Rationale: Many students have expressed concern about the differing opening and closing hours of libraries at Rutgers University. When unexpected library closing times force students to leave before they finish their work or relocate to less ideal study environments, their academic progress is disrupted. This is especially relevant for students who can only study at later hours due to working during the day, schedule conflicts, childcare responsibilities, and other competing obligations. A comprehensive assessment will help identify what adjustments may be needed to better support our students.

Outcome: The EC determined to send this charge language to ICAC and SAC for feedback on next steps.

Proposed Charge (2:05 – 2:15 p.m.)

Recommend Best Practices Policy on Faculty Compensation for Study Abroad Instruction – Newark Faculty Council Chair – Brian Murphy

Charge: Rutgers University faculty who lead and teach study abroad programs are responsible for planning programs, teaching them in-country, and having students in their care while abroad. These are all significant time investments outside the expected scope of work and often outside the academic calendar, but Rutgers does not compensate faculty who teach these programs nor do they count toward annual teaching obligations – they are effectively volunteer work. We ask the Senate to compare practices of similar peer universities and recommend a uniform policy.

Rationale: It is unsustainable and unjust for Rutgers to depend on faculty donations of time and effort to sustain study abroad programming, and the university is well outside the norms of peer institutions in doing so. Without it “counting” toward teaching or being paid, the university’s international offerings suffer and faculty are exploited.

Outcome: The EC determined to send this charge language to union representatives to determine if this topic was covered under contract negotiations and not under the purview of the Senate.

Proposed Charge (2:15 – 2:25 p.m.)

Request for Senate Resolution against DHS Rule RIN 1653-AA95 (Eliminating PhD Transfer and Duration of Status) – Non-Senator, Fred Huangfu

Charge: I am writing to urgently request that the University Senate take immediate action to oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s pending rule eliminating Duration of Status (RIN 1653-AA95). This rule is a direct threat to the continuity of Rutgers’ research enterprise, the academic freedom of its graduate scholars, and the institution’s ability to attract top global talent. I am asking the Senate to pass an emergency resolution condemning this rule and to formally advise the University President and the administration to aggressively lobby against its implementation. Specifically, this proposed rule harms the university and its researchers in two critical ways: 1. The Danger of Fixed-Time Visas in Academia Replacing Duration of Status (D/S) with strict 2- or 4-year visa limits reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of academic research. Scientific timelines are inherently fluid; experiments fail, peer-review processes delay publication, and lab funding fluctuates. Forcing international researchers to repeatedly apply to USCIS for extensions—with no guarantee of approval and amidst notorious administrative backlogs—will paralyze lab productivity. Researchers who are making standard academic progress will be forced to halt their work while awaiting bureaucratic approval just to remain in the country. 2. The Harm of Restricting Graduate Mobility and Transfers Furthermore, the rule proposes severe restrictions on a graduate student’s ability to transfer or change programs. In research Ph.D. programs, academic mobility is a necessity, not a red flag. Graduate scholars may need to change programs due to an advisor’s departure, a shift in research direction, a breakdown in an advising relationship, or later admission to a doctoral environment better suited to their specific academic trajectory. Imposing a categorical restriction on graduate-level transfers traps students in their initial programs. It deeply harms bona fide students seeking the best academic fit and drastically skews the institutional power dynamic, leaving international researchers vulnerable to abusive lab environments.

Rationale: International scholars are already rigorously monitored through the SEVIS system. Imposing arbitrary time limits and transfer bans does not increase compliance; it only damages the U.S. research infrastructure. Because speaking out individually on the federal register carries inherent visa retaliation risks for international scholars, we need the collective, institutional voice of the University Senate. Will the Senate draft a formal resolution opposing RIN 1653-AA95 and demand that the Rutgers administration use its full lobbying power to protect its international researchers, preserve PhD transfer and Duration of Status?

Outcome: The EC declined to charge to a committee, but sent back to the proposer and advised that they reach out to their Senate representatives to bring to the Senate floor as a resolution under new business.

Old Business

None

New Business

University Senate September 18 Agenda (2:25 – 2:35 p.m.) 

• Forum with the President – William F. Tate, IV – President
• Establishment of Senate Internal Budget Ad Hoc Committee
• Senator accolades that can be presented during the Senate meetings – Any senator can submit a notification of achievement to the Senate office to be announced in the Secretary’s report.

Senator Campbell’s Confidential Update

Senator Campbell presented a confidential topic for discussion. Discussion pertained to the conversation topic of emergency EC meeting held in August.

Commentary on President Tate’s EC Address

Senator Gittelman asked to hold a debrief on the President’s remarks in the beginning of the EC meeting. Clarification was provided by Chair Haley regarding the invitation for Vice Chair Boxer to included on committees relating to the university budget. Senators Knievel, Campbell, and Gittelman were also asked to serve on committees relating to university budget. Senator Rastogi commented on concerns from Camden’s SGA not having transparency on their budget. Chair Haley and Vice Chair Boxer will follow up with Ralph Gigliotti to discuss future conversations between the President and EC.

Adjournment

The Executive Committee adjourned at 3:03 p.m.

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