Senate Handbook

The Rutgers University Senate is the sole institution that represents the entire community of faculty, students, staff, administrators and alumni to the president of Rutgers University (hereinafter referred to as “the president”) and to its Board of Governors. The Senate serves as the principal advisory body to the president and on certain issues exercises legislative authority delegated to it by the Board of Governors. The Senate deliberates on matters of broad educational and research policy. On its own initiative, it advises the president or the Board of Governors on any matter of concern to the University. The Senate also exercises an appeal function. On certain matters, the president shall act only after receiving the advice of the Senate or giving the Senate a reasonable amount of time to present its views.

In 1950, the University Committee on Personnel Procedures recommended creation of a Faculty Senate to consist of the University president and members elected from, and by, the faculty (Preliminary Report of the Special Committee to Study the Senate, April 15, 1968). In 1953, the existing University Council was renamed the “University Senate.” It was composed of 31 faculty members and 17 administrators, and was chaired by the University president, who also chaired its Executive Committee. It usually met only twice a year, and was rarely involved in important matters. University policy remained essentially the prerogative of the administration and the trustees (Excerpts from the Report of the Joint Commission on University Governance, June 1979). This University Senate made recommendations to the president on such matters as academic freedom and tenure. Other important matters pertaining to academic policy, such as the reorganization of the colleges and the faculties, were not referred to the Senate (Preliminary Report of the Special Committee to Study the Senate, April 15, 1968, pp. 1-9).

In 1967, the Rutgers College Student Council requested student representation in the Senate (excerpts from the Report of the Joint Commission on University Governance, June 1979). In May 1967, the Special Committee to Study the Senate (the “Robbins Committee”) was appointed by President Mason W. Gross on the advice of the Senate Committee on Committees. The 1968 report by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools evaluation team pointed to “the need to increase faculty participation in important decisions of the University.” The current University Senate initially draws its powers from, and is guided in its responsibilities by, certain acts of the Board of Governors passed on November 14, 1969 and subsequently embodied in University Policies. At that time, the president recognized the Senate as an important element in the University’s decision-making processes, with the Board of Governors, the university administration, and the University Senate serving as the three primary centers of responsibility. The president likened his role to that of the British prime minister, and the Senate’s role to that of the British Parliament (excerpts from the Preliminary Report of the Special Committee to Study the Senate, April 15, 1968, pp. 1-9 and the Handbook of the University Senate, January 1973, p. 1).

In June of 1979, the Joint Commission on University Governance (the “McCormick Commission”) reviewed the Senate’s history. The Commission’s report said that the University Senate presented “the opportunity to improve University governance and to improve the sharing of that responsibility among the various elements of the Rutgers community… Critically important to the future of Rutgers is the sense of identity with the University as a whole… Moreover, the Senate needs to become a University body, in which the common concerns of all are emphasized. It should not be structured as a site for negotiation among contending units.” The report described the primary mission of the Senate as follows: “It should be specifically designated as the principal body to advise, and where appropriate, act on University-wide educational questions, such as those of admissions, curriculum, degree requirements, grading, faculty selection and promotion, academic organization, and student life.”

In reviewing the 1969 powers of the Senate, the commission summarized them as follows: “Contrary to a prevalent impression, its authority is not confined to setting the University calendar. It is to ‘concern itself with all academic matters pertaining to the University.’” The commission also concluded that the Senate can “establish minimum standards respecting admission, scholarship, and honors,” “regulate formal relationships among academic units,” and “recommend norms for teaching loads.” It required the Senate to advise the president on “matters of broad educational and research policy,” and obligated the president to seek the Senate’s advice on such matters. It further enabled the Senate, on its own initiative, to advise the president or the Board of Governors “on any matter of concern to the University,” and to hear appeals by faculties or students from decisions made at any internal level within the University. It stipulated that the powers exercised by the Senate are delegated by the Board of Governors, and that “they are largely advisory, but they are not inconsequential…” In reference to the Senate’s authority, the commission wrote that “The effectiveness and reputation of the Senate also depend, however, on a proper restriction of its role to those matters which affect the University as an entity.” The commission advised the Senate that it “is hampered when it becomes involved in questions which are best left to collective bargaining or to full-time administrators.” It concluded that “A better Senate will therefore require that it concentrate its attention on the central issues of educational policy” (excerpts from the Report of the Joint Commission on University Governance, June 1979, pp. 8, 17-18).

In the intervening years, the Senate’s Bylaws and Handbook have been expanded and updated. In the 1990s the Senate expanded by adding seats for alumni and part-time lecturers. The body expanded once again in 2006 through the addition of seats for staff.

The University Senate, with its standing and ad hoc committees and its Executive Committee, shall exercise its powers through the following functions:

Legislative Function¹

The Senate shall regularly review, revise and otherwise regulate and legislate those matters specifically assigned to Senate jurisdiction by the Board of Governors in University Policy 50.2.2A., which include:

1. establishing minimum standards respecting admission, scholarship and honors;
2. regulating formal relationships among academic units within the University, including the organization of the disciplines;
3. recommending norms for teaching loads; and
4. establishing the university calendar.

The Senate has a history of exercising its legislative authority. When the Senate has exercised its legislative rather than its advisory function, the practice of the early Senate secretaries was to cite the authority for this function in communications to the president in cases where it was appropriate to differentiate communications of legislative actions from those that are only advisory. Transmittal letters customarily stated, “adopted under section 7.21 of University Regulations (now University Policies)” or “within its jurisdiction in paragraph 7.21” or “under section 7.21 of the University Policy Library” and “under its U.R. 7.21 legislative authority” or similar language (Rutgers Senate Archives²). For example, this happened in a principal case when the Senate exercised its legislative authority in the area of “regulating formal relationships among academic units within the university, including the organization of the disciplines.”³

The Senate executive secretary, in assigning, cataloging, publishing and transmitting Senate charges, actions and decisions, shall segregate items, and indicate under which Senate authority (legislative or otherwise) each was undertaken.

Advisory Function⁴

The Senate shall study and advise on matters listed in University Policy 50.2.2B. on its own initiative, or when these matters are brought to the Senate’s attention by the central administration, by colleges, faculties and divisions of the University, or by special- interest groups or individuals within the University.

1. Those matters include all matters of broad educational and research policy including, but not limited to:
   1. budget priorities and allocations, and general planning;
   2. establishment or dissolution of colleges, schools, divisions, institutes, and similar educational units (described in a policy of the Board of Governors of May 10, 1991)⁵;
   3. special affiliations and programs;
   4. regulations affecting students and faculty, such as those concerning academic freedom, equal opportunities, and personnel practices and procedures; and
   5. such changes in educational and research policy as are covered in the University Policy Library.

   When the Senate has exercised its advisory rather than its legislative functions, it was the practice of early Senate secretaries to cite the authority for this function in communications to the president in cases where it was appropriate to differentiate communications of advisory actions from those of legislative actions. For example, transmittal letters customarily stated “This action is transmitted to you and the Board of Governors as the advice of the University Senate” or “This completes the recommendation requested” (Rutgers Senate Archives).

   As indicated previously, communications emanating from, and records promulgated by, the Senate should indicate under which authority the actions were undertaken. When the Senate has exercised its advisory rather than its legislative function, the Senate executive secretary shall so indicate in all records and correspondence.

2. The president shall act on such matters only after receiving the advice of the Senate, or giving the Senate a reasonable amount of time to present its views. University Policy 50.2.2B. describes the Senate’s and the president’s responsibilities to ensure that the Senate exercises its advisory function as follows:

   “The President of the University shall act on such matters only after having received the advice of the Senate or after giving the Senate a reasonable time in which to present its views. If there is a question as to whether a matter is of broad educational and research policy, the Senate Executive Committee shall be informed in order to determine Senate action on that matter. When special circumstances require prompt action, and when the Senate as a body is either out of session or not available for timely consultation, the President shall ask the Executive Committee of the Senate to convene as expeditiously as possible, in order to hear the reasons why emergency action seems necessary and to provide counsel on both the assessment of the situation and the proposed course of action. If the full membership of the Senate Executive Committee cannot be convened within a reasonable period of time, the President shall consult with such members as can be convened by the Secretary of the Senate. At the earliest possible opportunity, a report on such emergency action shall be presented to the full Senate.”

   When the Senate wishes to exercise its advisory function on a matter already under consideration by the administration, or on which administrative action may be expected, it is the responsibility of the Senate, through its executive secretary or chair, to communicate to the president the Senate’s intention to consider, advise or otherwise act on the matter. The president may then anticipate action by the Senate before taking final action.

Appeal Function

University Policies prescribe two appeal functions for the Senate:

1. Under University Policy 50.2.2C, the Senate shall consider and decide appeals filed with the Senate executive secretary by faculty, staff, , students, alumni, or part-time lecturers or any division thereof, on the ground that the faculty, staff, students, alumni, or part-time lecturers were not adequately consulted prior to making a major decision on an academic or administrative matter affecting the faculty, staff, students, alumni, or part-time lecturers made at a departmental, college, or any other internal level. This does not include appeals that would fall under provisions of a collective negotiation agreement. Appeals filed with the Senate are heard by the Senate Appeals Panel, rather than the Senate as a whole (Senate action September 29, 1970). The Senate executive secretary will refer the appeal to the Appeals Panel, which will decide whether to entertain the appeal. If the Appeals Panel decides to hear the appeal, or if the Senate directs that it do so, it shall render a decision and file it with the Senate Executive Secretary, who will immediately provide a copy to the appellant. If the decision is adverse to the appellant, the appellant may appeal the decision to the Senate. If an appeal is not filed within 30 days of receipt of the committee’s decision by the appellant, the committee’s decision shall be deemed to be the decision of the Senate in the matter. The full Senate will be notified of all requests for appeals, and all final appeal decisions. The appeal request and the report of the panel shall be available for inspection by senators.
2. Under University Policy 50.2.2B.(2), in matters of significant consequence to the university’s broad educational and research policies, a representative of the University Senate may appeal, on the Senate’s behalf, to the Educational Planning and Policy Committee of the Board of Governors, an action of the University President in which the representative alleges that the president has acted contrary to any of the following provisions: policy of the Board of Governors; these Regulations; State or Federal Law; a contract to which the University is a party, except contracts involving collective bargaining; practice well established in the absence of Board policy or University Regulation; or the University’s best interest in an action which establishes a policy in a matter not regulated by any of the foregoing. If the Educational Planning and Policy Committee finds that the decision questioned is consequential and that the issue requires interpretation under any of the provisions above, the committee will request the advice of the Senate on the issue if that has not already been offered and will refer the question to the Board of Governors for resolution.

Initiative Function

In accordance with the provision in University Policy 50.2.2B.(1) that the Senate may, upon its own initiative, advise the president or the Board of Governors on any matter of concern to the University, the Senate shall:

1. Independently request and gather information from the central administration concerning the administration’s ongoing and projected activities.
2. Participate on a formal and regular basis with the administration in development of long-range plans for the university.
3. Advise the administration on the feasibility and propriety of such plans and activities, on their value to the university community, and on their implementation.
4. Seek out, on its own initiative, substantive issues needing attention.
5. Set in motion appropriate mechanisms for independent Senate studies, projects, and programs designed to serve the interests of the university community.

When the Senate wishes to exercise its initiative function on a matter already under consideration by the administration, or on which administrative action may be expected, it is the responsibility of the Senate, through its executive secretary or chair, to communicate to the president the Senate’s intention to consider, advise or otherwise act on the matter. The president shall then await action by the Senate before taking final action.

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Footnotes

¹On November 14, 1969, the Board of Governors defined these legislative functions of the Senate in University Policy 50.2.2, which is identical in every word to the current Bylaws of Rutgers University 50.2.2A. For a copy of Regulation 7.21, see the Letter of Mason W. Gross, President of Rutgers University, dated November 19, 1969 (Rutgers Senate Archives), which includes the entire text of the Board of Governor’s delegation of power to the University Senate. See also the Handbook of the University Senate, January 1973, p.6. While still president of Bennington College, Edward J. Bloustein, soon to become president of Rutgers University, requested information on the Senate, and received in response a letter from Carter R. Smith dated August 24, 1971 noting, “Section 7.21 of University Policy defines the area of delegated authority in academic matters. In these areas, the Senate acts to change University Policy.” John R. Martin, in the administration of President Edward J. Bloustein, referred to this authority in his memorandum of January 20, 1972 to Carter R. Smith, executive secretary of the University Senate, by noting, “We are agreed, I believe, that we must distinguish between two types of matters which will be flowing from the Administration to the Senate, from time to time: 1. Policy Questions – those matters for which the Senate has partial or full de jure responsibilities, and 2. Administrative Questions – those matters whose resolution is the prerogative of the Administration (if only) because the Senate has no de jure responsibilities pertaining thereto” (Rutgers Senate Archives).

²For an example, see the letter of Carter R. Smith, Senate executive secretary, dated May 11, 1972, to President Edward J. Bloustein about the Senate decision to change the wording of the Rutgers University diploma; see also the letter of Martha Emery, Senate executive secretary, dated September 10, 1980 to President Edward J. Bloustein about the Senate action with respect to the Graduate Admissions Policy, noting, “It is forwarded to you for administrative implementation” (Rutgers Senate Archives).

³The meaning of the Senate’s legislative authority in the area of “regulating formal relationships among academic units within the University, including the organization of the disciplines” has been defined in practice over the years. For example, in one case the Senate legislated policy on an issue in this area. On March 30, 1972 Vice President for Academic Affairs Winkler sent to the Council of Deans a memorandum on the topic “Redefined Authority of the New Brunswick Chairmen in the Liberal Arts.” On April 12, 1972, the Senate Executive Committee referred this matter to the Senate’s Educational Policy Committee after an April 11, 1972 request from the dean of Rutgers College. That committee solicited the opinion of all deans and New Brunswick department chairs and, based on the committee’s recommendation, the Senate adopted a resolution at its June 14, 1972 meeting calling upon “the University administration to present to the Senate for its consideration and approval, in accordance with Section 7.21 of the University Statutes, proposed modifications in the University Policy to reflect changes in organizational structure over the past several years, as these changes affect the organization of the disciplines and relationships among the academic units of the University – e.g. such matters as the titles and responsibilities of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and the New Brunswick department chairmen; the relationship of these officers to the deans of the colleges and the Dean of the Graduate School, etc.” The resolution set forth a number of guiding principles (Meeting Minutes). On June 16, 1972, the Senate executive secretary, William R. Battle, sent a letter to President Edward J. Bloustein to this effect “under Section 7.21.” On February, 16, 1973, Provost Kenneth Wheeler submitted to the Senate a document on the “Organization of the Biological Sciences.” It dealt with the role of the New Brunswick Chairman for the Biological Sciences. The Educational Policy Committee refused to consider this document until the administration complied with the June 14, 1972 resolution. In a January 31, 1973 letter, President Edward J. Bloustein informed Dr. Warren R. Battle, Senate executive secretary, that the regulations would be prepared, and that “we expect to bring these proposed regulations to the Senate for consideration early in the spring of 1973” and that “our administrative actions with regard to Federated disciplines and chairmen follow the resolution of June 14th.” On February 16, 1973, the Senate defeated a motion by Provost Wheeler to consider the reorganization of the biological sciences and all other disciplines individually. The minutes of the Executive Committee show that the administration sent the Senate proposed changes in the University Policy Library on the role of the chancellors, deans and directors, and the organization of the disciplines on May 9, 1973. The Educational Policy Committee brought the text and amendments to the administration’s regulations to the Senate floor on September 17, 1973, which were passed (Minutes and Committee Report). On October 18, 1973, Karl E. Metzger, on behalf of the Board of Governors, wrote to Dr. Warren R. Battle, Senate executive secretary, that the board approved the changes as recommended by the Senate (Rutgers Senate Archives).

⁴On November 14, 1969, the Board of Governors defined these advisory functions of the Senate in University Policy 7.22. The issues listed from “a” through “e” in University Policy 7.22 are identical in every word to the current Bylaws of Rutgers University 50.2.2 B with the exception that the Board of Governors later expanded this advisory function by clarifying that the matters “include but are not limited to” these specific issues. For a copy of Regulation 7.22, see the letter of President Mason W. Gross, dated November 19, 1969 (Rutgers Senate Archives), which includes the entire text of the Board of Governor’s delegation of power to the University Senate. See also the Handbook of the University Senate, January 1973, p. 6.

⁵5An example of the application of the Senate’s authority on discontinuance of programs, departments, and centers occurs in a letter of September 13, 1999 by Vice President Christine Haska regarding the Cook College B.S. Program in Professional Occupational Education, and the October 6, 1999 action of the Senate on this matter (Rutgers Senate Archives).

The University Senate can best exercise its legislative, advisory, appeal, and initiative functions when the university administration works with it in the following ways:

1. The president delivers to the Senate executive secretary, in timely fashion, written statements concerning budgetary, academic and physical plant proposals, priorities and timetables, and identifies the university committees and administrative staff responsible for those plans, their study and implementation. Normally, the Senate requires a significant amount of time to respond to proposals. The president also delivers to the Senate an annual, comprehensive report, which includes summaries of significant plans and future activities, preferably at the first Senate meeting of the academic year.
2. Throughout the year, the president or the president’s designated representative regularly provides to the Senate Executive Committee timely and complete information on upcoming issues or projects that will either require legislative or advisory action by the Senate. Such issues include major revisions to the administration’s agenda, formation of new University study groups, additional proposals and their timetables, and other actions and issues that are expected to affect the University.
3. The president assigns individuals from the central administration to act as resource persons to Senate committees. A list of these “administrative liaisons” is given to the Executive Committee in July of each year. Each administrative liaison attends committee meetings, supplies up-to-date information on pertinent administration activities, and provides resource data. Liaisons also serve as general communication conduits through which information about the Senate’s committees flows between the Senate and the administration.
4. The central administration, through its liaison officer to the Senate Executive Committee, informs the Executive Committee of the formation of major committees or decision-making groups, and asks the Senate Executive Committee to recommend a person or persons to be appointed by the administration to such committees or bodies. The Executive Committee may, on its own initiative, state the Senate’s interest in having a senator or senators on such committees or bodies. Normally, such requests are honored.
5. The president or the president’s representative will respond at Senate meetings to questions that have been previously submitted. Senators are urged to submit written questions for the president about matters of concern to them or their constituents. These should be sent or brought to the Senate office for delivery to the president, and should be received at least one week prior to the Senate meeting. The president or the president’s representative will then be prepared to answer these questions during the administrative report at the next Senate meeting. This procedure does not preclude questions from the floor at Senate meetings.
6. Under University Policy 50.2.2B.(1), the “Senate shall be informed of the President’s recommendation on matters on which the Senate has taken action prior to the meeting of the Board of Governors or its appropriate committee. Whenever the Board of Governors or one of its committees is considering a recommendation from the Senate, an appropriate additional representative of the Senate shall be invited to present the views of the Senate. The President shall inform the Senate of the disposition of all of its recommendations.”

Scheduling of Meetings

1. The Senate normally meets once each month during the academic year. Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson, the Executive Committee, the University President, or by written request of any ten delegates (University Policy 50.2.3.B).
2. Meetings of the Senate shall ordinarily convene on Friday afternoons. Meetings of Senate committees will ordinarily be scheduled during the mornings of Senate Fridays.
3. In the case of inclement weather or emergency conditions causing closure of the campus on which the Senate meeting is to be held, the Senate meeting will be cancelled. Senators should check radio or Rutgers Info online announcements for campus or University closure information. When circumstances permit, the Senate executive secretary will send e-mail cancellation notices to senators, and/or will leave a recorded meeting-cancellation message on the Senate’s voicemail.

General Order of Business

• Call to Order and Determination of a Quorum
• Chair’s Report
• Report of the Executive Secretary
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Communications
• Committee Reports
  • Standing Committees
  • Ad Hoc Committees
• Old Business
• New Business
• Administrative and Special Reports
• Executive Committee Report
• Report of the Senate Representatives to Boards of Governors and Trustees
• Reports of Regional Campus Faculty and Student Liaisons
• Adjournment

Agenda

1. The agenda, minutes, and associated committee reports are posted on the Senate website and appropriate notice sent to senators by the executive secretary before each meeting.
2. All recommendations and resolutions must be distributed in advance of their consideration on the Senate floor. Reports or resolutions to be distributed with the agenda should reach the executive secretary at least ten days before the date of the Senate meeting. Normally, issues, charges, or resolutions are forwarded to the Executive Committee for assignment to a committee, and shall come to the Senate floor after consideration by a Senate committee.
3. Addition of items to the agenda after it has been issued requires a two-thirds vote. Such additions are docketed under New Business.
4. Resolutions from any senator can be considered new business if: a) the time available and the circumstances do not allow that the resolution go through the normal process of consideration by a committee; b) the resolution has been submitted in writing to the executive secretary before it is put to a vote; and, c) the issue is pertinent to the mission of the Senate. It shall be the responsibility of the chair to rule on the application of these criteria. Special reports by committee chairs on behalf of committees, which have not previously been docketed on the agenda, will be added at the end of “Committee Reports” with an automatic overall time limit of ten minutes; they are not to be added under Administrative and Special Reports.

Procedures

1. Robert’s Rules of Order are the official procedural rules except where otherwise provided by Senate action, in this Handbook, or Senate Bylaws. The Senate’s parliamentary procedures are outlined in Appendix B of this Handbook.
2. Time limits for debate on committee reports and the question-and-answer periods that follow administrative, board representative, and Executive Committee or campus liaison reports may be recommended by the Executive Committee (for approval by the Senate) and indicated on the agenda. Motions arising in the course of discussion of reports are assigned an automatic time limit of ten minutes, in addition to the limit for questions. When a time limit is in effect, each speaker is allowed no more than three minutes. More stringent time limits to speakers can be applied if recommended by the Executive Committee (for approval by the Senate) and indicated on the agenda. Committee chairs or representative presenting docketed committee reports shall succinctly summarize the gist or main points of the report and the significant terms of any accompanying resolutions or recommendations to be voted on. Such presentations shall not ordinarily exceed 5 minutes for the body of the report, and whatever time is needed to present the motions themselves, except with the explicit leave of the presiding officer, or if the Executive Committee has prescribed different limits.
3. When possible, senators who plan to move amendment of a committee resolution should notify the committee chairs prior to the meeting. Substantive amendments must be given to the executive secretary in writing before being put to a vote.
4. Detailed procedures for the conduct of Senate business are described in Appendix B: Senate Parliamentary Procedure.
5. 1. Whenever the Senate’s thorough and productive consideration of a resolution or other matter before it during a meeting would benefit from further informal consultation among Senators, it shall be in order for the Chair, without the need for a motion or vote, to either:
      1. recess the meeting of the Senate for no more than 10 minutes, or
      2. postpone consideration of the business at hand for no more than 20 minutes and use the intervening time for the presentation of reports or other items of business that do not call for discussion or action by the Senate.
   2. The Chair shall not exercise the authority granted in this section:
      1. more than twice during any meeting of the Senate.
      2. if it would prevent the Senate from completing action on items of business that it would otherwise consider.
   3. The authority granted to the Chair under this section shall not preclude any Senator at another time from making a motion to recess or a motion to postpone that might otherwise be proper under the ordinary rules of order.

   Voting

   1. Colored cards shall be distributed to senators at the sign-in desk at each Senate meeting. The cards, which shall be of a different color for each meeting in any given year, are to be raised when a hand-vote is deemed necessary to signify approval, opposition, or abstention. When a written ballot is required, the paper ballots shall be distributed only to senators holding the appropriate-colored card.
   2. If requested by any Senator, a secret ballot shall be conducted. All other motions for a specific voting procedure shall require a majority vote.
   3. If the election for Senate chair is contested, then it shall be conducted separately. Nominations for vice chair and the Executive Committee will be closed only after the announcement of the results of the chair election. The same will hold for the Executive Committee nominations if the vice chair election is contested. The elections for Board of Trustees and Board of Governors representatives may be conducted simultaneously with those for officers of the Senate, but senators will not be allowed to run for more than one position.
   4. Senators may not be placed on the initial ballot for more than one position in any single election.
   5. Any senator can request to see the vote tally of any voting procedure in which votes are tallied. With respect to elections, the right is limited to candidates.

1. All new matters shall be referred to committee before coming to the Senate (unless extenuating circumstances apply, as indicated in Article III, Agenda, 3 above).
2. Normally all communications to the Senate or its Executive Committee should be addressed to the executive secretary of the Senate. Exceptions include confidential communications to the chair, such as evaluations of deans, which can be addressed directly to the chair of the Senate. The Executive Committee makes referrals to committee, when appropriate.
3. Recurring Senate Actions Having Fixed Dates
   • September: Senator volunteers are solicited for the Appeals Panel, and the panel is appointed by the Executive Committee. Senate volunteers are solicited for the University Commencement Panel, and members are appointed by the Executive Committee. The University Commencement Panel begins its work when the panel is fully constituted. The Executive Committee meets with chairs of the standing committees.
   • December: The executive secretary receives from the university administration the certified number of faculty and students in each division, and calculates the number of senators to which each unit is entitled for the following year.
   • January: The executive secretary notifies each unit of faculty and student senators to be elected prior to March 15. Committee chairs send to the Executive Committee their anticipated agendas for reporting to the Senate for the balance of the year.
   • March: Specific charges issued to committees (not the standing charge) lapse in March of the year following the year in which the charge was issued. Committee chairs are asked for status reports on all pending charges, and those charges are reviewed by the Executive Committee, which determines if they should be allowed to lapse, or if the deadlines should be extended.
   • Prior to March 15: The Executive Committee appoints an Election Committee to recommend candidates for chair, vice chair, members of the Executive Committee, and representatives to the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees.
   • First Week of April: The election of senators in various units must be completed.
   • April: At least ten days before the annual organizational meeting (at which the following academic year’s Senate leadership and board representative elections are held), the executive secretary issues a Call to the Organizational Meeting. At least five days before the annual organizational meeting, the executive secretary issues the report of the Election Committee to the Senate-elect. The executive secretary asks new senators for their committee preferences. (Continuing senators remain on their designated committees.)
   • Before the last Senate meeting of each academic year: The Executive Committee (if the Senate has not already done so) adopts a schedule of Senate meetings for the next academic year.
   • May: The Executive Committee considers the composition of committees based on recommendations from the executive secretary and the chair, using the guidelines laid out in Article VIII.B.(1) of this Handbook.
   • June: The Executive Committee appoints committees, reviews committee chairs’ annual reports and the executive secretary’s summary of committee business, and reviews the standing charges of all committees. The executive secretary makes available to all committee chairs rosters, email lists, and attendance sheets for their respective committees.
4. Procedures for Election of At-Large Senators
   When senators are elected at-large from a campus as provided in University Policy 50.2.1.C, procedures for conduct of these elections shall be as follows:
   1. The chancellor of each campus shall appoint a campus-wide nominating committee, and shall notify the faculty or appropriate constituency of the election.
   2. The nominating committee shall nominate at least two candidates for each at-large Senate position for which there is a vacancy. The nominees shall be persons who would be expected to represent the campus-at-large, and who work in the geographical location of that campus. (In New Brunswick and Newark, “other research and academic units” are to be included.) The names of additional candidates can be submitted to the nominating committee by petition of ten eligible voters, and shall be placed on the ballot.
   3. The final ballot shall be sent to all appropriate campus faculty or other constituencies of the Senate by the Chancellor or appropriate campus administrative officer. If there are multiple openings, the candidate with the highest number of votes shall be elected for the longest term, the second highest to the second longest, etc. The “two-envelope” method of disseminating the ballots shall be used, and the ballots shall be returned directly to, and counted by, the office administering the election.
   4. Alternatively, each campus shall have the option of conducting elections of at-large faculty senators through action of its respective campus-wide faculty body/group (e.g., the faculty councils) in lieu of campus-wide elections.

   The procedure outlined in paragraphs 1 through 3 above should also be used in the election of senators representing other research and academic units on a campus.

5. Caucuses of the Senate
   Each of the constituencies of the Senate may choose to meet in recognized caucuses before each Senate meeting (i.e., a Faculty Caucus of all faculty senators, a Student Caucus of all student senators, Staff Caucus of all staff senators, and an Alumni Caucus of all alumni senators). Each caucus shall determine its own organization and agenda, and shall be able to bring proposals and issues to the Senate through its Executive Committee liaison. The Faculty Caucus shall be convened by the vice chair of the Senate or other faculty member designated by the Executive Committee from among the faculty senators. The student members of the Executive Committee, or other students designated by the Executive Committee, shall ordinarily convene the Student Caucus. The alumni member of the Executive Committee, or another alumni senator designated by the Executive Committee, shall ordinarily convene the Alumni Caucus. (By action of the Senate on April 23, 1999.) The staff member of the Executive Committee, or another staff senator designated by the Executive Committee, shall normally convene the Staff Caucus.
6. Senate Liaisons
   The chairpersons of the New Brunswick Faculty Council, Newark Faculty Council, Camden Faculty Senate, and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Faculty Council shall serve as official liaisons for their respective campuses, or, in the absence of such a chairperson, the faculty member from that campus who is also an Executive Committee member shall serve as liaison. Campus liaisons shall report on a regular basis to the Senate concerning activities of the bodies they represent. (By action of the Senate on February 21, 1992.)

Policy Concerning the Collective Bargaining Process

Under University Policy 50.2.2B, the president must seek the advice of the Senate before acting on matters of personnel policy, and the Senate may advise the president and the Board of Governors on any matters affecting Rutgers. Under current law and interpretation, collective bargaining must take place on terms and conditions of employment. Thus, when a matter concerns only terms and conditions, collective bargaining should take place, and the Senate should refrain from offering advice, even though it has the authority to do so. When a matter concerns only personnel policy, the Senate should advise.

Some matters, however, involve considerations both of policy and of terms and conditions. Further, individuals may disagree as to whether a particular matter involves policy, terms and conditions, or a mixture of the two. In such a case, if the Senate, its Executive Committee and/or its Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC) decide that a personnel policy question is involved, the Senate may render its unsolicited advice. Then, if either the president or the appropriate bargaining unit determines that terms and conditions are involved, the matter should be submitted to collective bargaining before being implemented or brought to the Board of Governors. (Approved by the University Senate on March 31, 1980.)

1. Senators shall report to their constituencies at every scheduled meeting of the constituencies, and the head of each constituency shall list such a report on the agenda of all scheduled meetings. (By action of the Senate on February 2, 1990.)
2. Attendance at all full-Senate and committee meetings is the primary responsibility of each senator, and is essential to the successful operation of the Senate. All who accept election to the Senate are expected to arrange a schedule that does not conflict with Senate meetings. If senators cannot attend, they can be excused by calling or writing the executive secretary and providing a valid reason such as professional commitments, illness, etc. Attendance records are maintained, updated and posted online after each Senate meeting, and sent annually to all units prior to the annual election of new senators. When a senator has been absent without a valid reason for more than two Senate meetings, the unit or constituency of that representative shall be notified in writing by the Senate executive secretary so that the unit or constituency may consider recalling and replacing the senator.
3. Tenured faculty senators may be selected to serve as members of special panels to consider actions to detenure faculty under University Policy 60.5.1.H.

Chair

The Senate chair is elected and serves as provided in University Policy 50.2.1.E. The chair performs the duties normally associated with this office, including presiding at meetings of the full Senate and Executive Committee, supervising and executing Senate business, and convening regular and special meetings of the Senate. The chair also acts as the official liaison of the Senate to the Board of Governors, and meets at least once each semester with the President of the University and the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs to discuss upcoming issues of interest to the Senate. Communication between the chair and the president and the president’s senior administrators needs to be frequent and meaningful. In consultation with the Executive Committee and executive secretary, the chair appoints members and chairs of standing and ad hoc committees. The chair is responsible for initiating appeals filed under University Policy 50.2.2B (2) and presenting the Senate’s case to the Educational Policy and Planning Committee of the Board of Governors. It is a major responsibility of the chair to solicit proactively for the Executive Committee information from the president or the president’s representative on upcoming issues or projects that either requires legislative or advisory action by the Senate. The chair should regularly fully report to the Executive Committee on the chair’s ongoing communications with the president.

In the absence of the chair, the vice chair will assume the responsibilities of the chair.

Vice Chair

The vice chair is elected and serves as provided in University Policy 50.2.1 E. The vice chair assumes the responsibilities of the chair when the chair is absent or unable to serve. The vice chair acts as chair of the Appeals Panel if an appeal is being heard, and reports on Executive Committee action at Senate meetings. If the vice chair is a faculty member, the vice chair also convenes and chairs the Faculty Caucus. The vice chair also chairs the University Commencement Panel. The vice chair fulfills other obligations as directed by the chair or Executive Committee. It is a primary responsibility of the vice chair to assist the chair in soliciting proactively for the Executive Committee information from the president or the president’s representative on upcoming issues or projects that either require legislative or advisory action by the Senate. The vice chair should regularly fully report to the Executive Committee on the vice chair’s ongoing communications with the president. This report should include a review of possible actions and issues that are expected to play an important role at Rutgers in the short or long term.

In the absence of the vice chair, the Executive Committee can appoint a vice chair pro tem during the period of the chair’s absence.

Executive Secretary

The executive secretary performs the customary responsibilities of executive secretary and corresponding secretary of the University Senate. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: composing minutes and correspondence; maintaining records of all Senate activities; responding to inquiries; and directing information and materials to the chair, Executive Committee, or committee chairs, as appropriate. In addition, the executive secretary shall carry out such other duties as may be delegated by the Senate. The executive secretary is the chief staff officer of the Senate, and as such provides continuity and perspective on past Senate actions.

Therefore, if an elected senator, the executive secretary shall hold no other Senate leadership or board representative position. The executive secretary informs the Senate and its Executive Committee when Senate Bylaws, Senate Handbook policies or practices, or other established Senate protocols or practices are breached or require attention. The executive secretary is responsible for organizing records of current and past Senate actions and reports so they may inform the Senate, its committees and their chairs, and the university and broader community on the Senate’s exercise of its legislative authority and advisory responsibilities. The executive secretary maintains online resources and records of key Senate activities and public documents, organized by chronology and committee subject area, and in ways that are logical and relevant to the Senate’s structure and schedule.

Executive Committee Members

Executive Committee members are responsible for representing the viewpoints of their respective constituencies on the Executive Committee, and for insuring that the Executive Committee carries out its responsibilities as described in Article VIII.D.(1) below. Each member is also responsible for acting as Executive Committee liaison to one or more standing committees of the Senate, and reporting on the activities of those committees as necessary.

Senate-Elected Representatives to the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees

1. The Senate annually elects representatives to serve, with full voice but without vote, on the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees of Rutgers by action of those boards. The three representatives to the Board of Governors are: one elected faculty senator who is a full-time faculty member, the chair of the University Senate ex officio, and one elected student senator. The four representatives to the Board of Trustees are: two elected faculty senators who are full-time faculty members; one elected graduate student senator; and one elected senior, junior, or sophomore undergraduate student senator. Board representatives should provide a detailed written report on the actions and proceedings of the board before each Senate meeting.
2. The Student Charter Trustees shall be members of the University Senate if not serving as elected senators (By action of the Senate on February 21, 1992).
3. Each elected faculty or student board representative serves as an advocate of the Senate view when appropriate, to the members of the Boards. Each also performs a liaison function by informing the Senate and the University community, to the maximum extent possible, of the activities of the boards, especially those matters that should involve Senate advice before final decisions are made. Board members are expected to consult among themselves to ensure complete coverage of all meetings of the boards, and to report regularly to the Executive Committee and to the Senate.
4. Senate representatives are assigned to committees of the Governors and Trustees by those bodies. They must observe any limits of confidentiality imposed by participation in board committee meetings.

Parliamentarian

The parliamentarian(s) may be current or former members of the Senate, or professional parliamentarians appointed each year by the chair with the approval of the Executive Committee. The active parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on matters pertaining to parliamentary procedure and ensures that meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order and Senate practice and standing rules. The chair will appoint with Executive Committee approval additional parliamentarians when needed. If the parliamentarian role is filled by a current voting member who wishes to participate in debate, an alternate parliamentarian must be appointed for the remainder of the meeting.

Overview of Committee Role

In accordance with University Policy 50.2.3.3G, the Senate establishes committees to help carry out its work. Most Senate business is referred by the Executive Committee to one of the various standing committees or, occasionally, to an ad hoc committee. Each committee is also encouraged to initiate study and to formulate recommendations on any policy issue within its purview as defined in the general charges that appear on the succeeding pages of this Handbook. Senate committees are advisory to the Senate, and report directly to the Senate. (Procedures concerning the structure and operation of committees were approved by the University Senate on May 5, 1974, and amended April 28, 1995.)

Structure

1. Senators’ committee preferences are solicited by the executive secretary, and those stated preferences are accommodated whenever possible. The executive secretary then drafts committee membership rosters, attempting to balance the composition of all committees based on constituency, campus, and new and continuing senators. The Executive Committee refines and adopts the committee composition, honoring preferences to the extent they are compatible with other requirements for balance and continuity. All senators will normally serve on one standing committee. Senators elected to the Executive Committee, however, will also be assigned to an additional committee — except for the chair, who shall be a member ex officio of all standing committees other than the Election Committee and the Appeals Panel.
2. The chairs and a majority of the members of each committee shall be members of the Senate.
3. Nonsenators with expertise appropriate to a committee’s work may be invited to hold membership to increase committee effectiveness. Upon confirmation of the Executive Committee, a standing committee can invite or assign guests to the committee. Non-senator committee members shall have the same rights as the senator members of the committee, including voting privileges, within their committee of membership only. Senior administrators with authority or responsibilities especially relevant to a standing committee’s charge may be assigned to committee membership by the Executive Committee.
4. Each committee shall include at least one member of the Executive Committee to serve as liaison and to monitor committee progress.
5. Senate Committees shall henceforth elect two co-chairs to two-year staggered terms with no term limits. A sitting co-chair shall only be deposed following a majority vote of committee members.

Operations

1. A meeting of all committee chairs and the Executive Committee shall be scheduled as soon as possible after the committees have been established. At this meeting, the Executive Committee explains all committees’ general procedures and substantive concerns, as appropriate, acquaints the chairs with each other, and suggests areas where committee interests overlap so that efforts are not duplicated, or where cooperative efforts may be useful. A second meeting of this group may be held at the beginning of the spring semester.
2. There is no quorum requirement for committees to carry out deliberations or develop recommendations. The members present develop recommendations and submit a report based on their opinions, and the names of all committee members are to be listed on all reports.
3. Committee chairs are responsible for circulating written committee reports to members in advance of submission to the Executive Committee so that those who may object can submit a minority report or have their name listed as not concurring.
4. The executive secretary shall transmit specific matters to each committee for study and action with the fullest possible background information. The executive secretary shall also advise committees with respect to procedures, timetables, and resource persons. If committee chairs have questions about matters specific to their committees, they may schedule individual conferences with the Executive Committee.
5. Standing committees are encouraged to initiate studies and projects of their own choosing on matters within their provinces as defined in their respective general charges. Committee reports on such independent activities may eventually come to the Senate for action in the same way as reports on specifically referred charges.
6. Committees normally handle meeting notices and correspondence from their own resources. If this is impossible, the Senate office should be contacted to arrange for assistance. The Senate executive secretary should be kept informed of committee meetings, agendas, and attendance, and furnished with a copy of committee minutes and attendance records.
7. In May, the chairs of each standing and ad hoc committee should submit a written annual report to the executive secretary for distribution to the new Executive Committee. The report should include: the past year’s agenda, how each issue was resolved and which matters need further work, other activities pursued by the committee, suggested areas for future study, problems encountered, recommendations for improving the committee’s role or structure, requests for follow-up information from the central administration on action or implementation of committee recommendations, etc. Copies of these reports, plus resource data and other materials, are to be given to the next committee chairs by the Senate executive secretary.

Committees and Their Standing Charges

Executive Committee

Standing Charge: To perform those duties defined in University Policy 50.2.1.F, to coordinate the activities of the Senate and its committees, and to exercise such powers as the Senate may delegate to it.

The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Senate between meetings of the Senate, and report these actions to the Senate. (Note: On September 29, 1970, the Senate adopted a motion authorizing the Executive Committee to act on its behalf between meetings of the Senate as provided in University Policies 50.2.1.F and 50.2.3.F, and requiring the Executive Committee to report these actions to the Senate.) Although the Executive Committee is empowered to act for the Senate in exceptional circumstances, it shall minimize responding to emergency situations that require precipitous or independent action, and shall strengthen and publicize its planning, referral, evaluation, and liaison functions.

1. Planning Function of the Executive CommitteeIn fulfilling its planning function, the Executive Committee shall:
   • Identify those matters on which the Senate has a responsibility to exercise its legislative authority under University Policy 50.2.2A, and assign such matters to committees.
   • Identify those matters on which the Senate has a responsibility to exercise its advisory authority under University Policy 50.2.2B, and assign such questions to committees.
   • Review the annual reports from Senate committee chairs, decide which charges should be continued or modified; and anticipate and propose other matters needing Senate attention. The executive secretary will transmit these matters as charges to the appropriate committee, along with pertinent background information.
   • Assign members to Senate standing committees and special panels, ensuring broad representation on each of the committees (to the extent possible within the limitation in the third paragraph of “Committees of the Senate”).
   • Take responsibility for assuring standing committees, and the Senate as a whole, sufficient time in which to study and advise on all proposals brought to it.
   • Issue, at its discretion, a rule calling for a specific voting procedure on a resolution pending before the Senate, including voting by secret ballot, to ensure an efficient voting procedure, and to protect the integrity of the vote whenever issues of extreme sensitivity or confidentiality exist.
2. Referral Function of the Executive CommitteeIn fulfilling its referral function, the Executive Committee shall:
   • Refer new matters to the committees throughout the year. The executive secretary shall transmit these referrals in writing with appropriate supporting information. (In keeping with its referral function, the Executive Committee shall generally refrain from initiating discussion of new issues on the Senate floor but rather move all business through the committee structure.)
   • Establish ad hoc committees and charge them appropriately.
3. Evaluation Function of the Executive CommitteeIn fulfilling its evaluation function, the Executive Committee shall:
   • Review and evaluate the performance of Senate committees and the Senate body as a whole.
   • Report to the Senate the results of any such evaluations requiring action.
4. Liaison Function of the Executive CommitteeIn fulfilling its liaison function, the Executive Committee shall:
   • Arrange for and monitor compliance with liaison arrangements among Senate committees, the administration, and university committees.
   • Act as a buffer between the administration and other university groups and the Senate, guarding the Senate’s rights and responsibilities from encroachment by keeping in close touch with persons and events in the University community.
   • Appeal to the Board of Governors as provided in Section 50.2.2B.(2) when the president does not consult the Senate in the areas defined for such consultation.

Budget and Finance Committee

Standing Charge: This committee shall concern itself with all matters related to budget priorities, allocations and general planning, as provided in section 50.2.2 B of the University Policy Library. These responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Select and study policy issues associated with the university’s budget, including priorities and allocation of funds, and develop recommendations on those issues for consideration by the Senate.
• Evaluate the probable financial impact of proposed new programs being considered by the Senate.
• Receive, study, and make recommendations to the Senate, and through it to the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, with respect to requests from members of the University community or others with a legitimate interest regarding Rutgers University investments.
• Consider, study, and make recommendations to the Senate, and through it to the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, with respect to any investment policies of Rutgers that may involve ethical and moral principles as established by the Boards of Governors and Trustees.
• Consider broad issues related to physical plant and infrastructure, space, transportation, and safety on and among the three campuses.
• The Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration shall be a member of the Budget and Finance Committee, and shall act as administrative liaison to this committee. (By action of the University Senate, March 2009.)

University Structure and Governance Committee

Standing Charge: The University Structure and Governance Committee (USGC) shall 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. The USGC shall be responsible for initiating reviews of governance issues in accordance with these guidelines. The responsibilities of the USGC shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advise and make proposals to the Senate on matters within the Senate’s legislative authority, including formal relationships among Rutgers academic units, and the organization of the disciplines.
• Advise the president, through the Senate, on the establishment or dissolution of colleges, schools, divisions, institutes and similar educational units (University Policy 50.2.2 B), and on termination or suspension of academic programs.
• Consider and advise the president on special affiliations and programs (University Policy 50.2.2 B.) and agreements and formal relationships with other institutions, including internet service providers, particularly as they relate to the structure and unit relationships of Rutgers.
• Review all matters relating to the composition of the Senate (University Policies 50.2.1. through 50.2.1.D.).
• Study and make recommendations to the Senate on matters relating to the role and function of the Senate as a body within Rutgers’ governance scheme (University Policies 50.2.2 through 50.2.2C) as well as on the role and function of internal structures and processes of the Senate itself (University Policies 50.2.3. through 50.2.3.K).
• 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.
• Study and make recommendations on relationships between Rutgers and the public.
• The Executive Secretary of the Senate shall serve as an ex-officio member of this committee.

Student Affairs Committee

Standing Charge: The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) shall have primary responsibility for matters directly concerning students. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Examine and address general student interests in university policies and operations, including, but not limited to, such matters as university policies on student use of drugs and alcohol, on reporting student records, and on regulating dormitories and fraternities.
• Further concern itself with student disciplinary policies and procedures, student health services, bookstores, and other student services.
• Advise the administration, through the Senate, on policies governing the athletic fees, programs, and facilities of Rutgers.
• The Vice President for Student Affairs shall be a member of the Student Affairs Committee, and shall act as administrative liaison to this committee.

Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee

Standing Charge: The Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee (FPAC) shall have primary responsibility for matters directly concerning faculty, with the exception of matters included under the collective bargaining agreement. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Survey the general policies of Rutgers with respect to the rank and standing of all faculty personnel.
• Review all procedures and regulations by which appointments, promotions and tenure are governed.
• Study the relations of the faculty members to administrative officers, and the manner in which administrative requirements affect faculty.
• Evaluate and recommend policies concerning both internal funding for research and the conditions under which external research funds are solicited, accepted and administered.
• Consider patent and human subject policies of Rutgers.
• Review matters concerning academic freedom, equal opportunities, and personnel practices and procedures, as these matters affect the educational mission of Rutgers.
• Address issues related to workplace climate, personnel workload, career development and opportunities for professional advancement, and working conditions in the university.
• The Vice President for Faculty and Staff Affairs shall serve as an ex-officio member of this committee.

Instruction, Curricula and Advising Committee

Standing Charge: The Instruction, Curricula and Advising Committee (ICAC) shall have primary responsibility for issues directly related to instructional matters, curricula and advising. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review the broad educational and research policies of Rutgers related to instruction, curricula and advising.
• Review agreements and formal relationships with other institutions, particularly as they relate to the educational mission of the university.
• Review educational policies related to various times, places, and manners of instruction.
• Make recommendations to the Senate concerning advice to the central administration about meetings, forums, and conferences on major issues in educational policy and public service.
• Examine and evaluate university-wide operations such as the library system and computer services.
• Consider matters related to the use of technology in education, including the use of distance-learning technologies.

Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee

Standing Charge: The Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee (ASRAC) shall have primary responsibility for matters directly related to academic standards, regulations and admissions. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bring to the Senate proposals that utilize the Senate’s legislative authority to formulate minimum standards of admission, scholarship and honors (University Policy 50.2.2A).
• Review broad educational and research policies of Rutgers as they apply to issues related to academic standards and admissions (University Policy 50.2.2B).
• Formulate policies on academic issues related to athletic programs and student athletes.
• Consider university-wide issues related to recruitment, retention, publications, financial aid, and minority-student interests.
• Review university-wide regulations governing academic practices and standards, including grading.
• Study issues affecting the academic calendar, including receiving comment from all sectors of the university community concerning this matter, offer recommendations for establishing the university calendar to the University Senate for action under its legislative authority (University Policy 50.2.2A), monitor unit departures from the calendar, review matters concerning the University Commencement, and make recommendations, as needed.
• Function as a university-wide admissions committee, by:
  • evaluating, on a regular basis, Rutgers admissions policies and procedures and their implementation across the three campuses and reporting its findings to the Senate as a whole;
  • interpreting and providing guidelines for implementation of the Rutgers University Admissions Committee as referenced in Policy 50.1.9.B.2; and
  • discussing issues pertaining to admissions and recruitment that cut across all three campuses.

Research and Graduate and Professional Education Committee

Standing Charge: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for matters directly related to university research and with academic standards, student life issues, regulations and admissions of graduate and professional students, including but not limited to the following:

• Provide feedback and input to the Senate on both graduate and professional education and on research.
• Provide feedback to central administration on university policies and practices that affect graduate and professional students.
• Evaluate and recommend policies concerning both internal funding for research and the conditions under which external research funds are solicited, accepted, and administered.
• Consider intellectual property, copyright, trademark, and patent policies of the university.
• Review the broad educational and research policies of the university related to graduate and professional instruction, curricula, and advising.
• Review educational policies related to different times, places, and manners of instruction, including distance learning and use of technology, as these impact on graduate and professional education.
• In conjunction with the University Structure and Governance Committee and the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee, review and advise the President on the termination or suspension of graduate and professional academic programs.
• In conjunction with the Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee, address issues that specifically deal with graduate faculty and research staff.
• Address issues related to workplace climate and working conditions in the university as they concern graduate and professional students.
• Advise the central administration, through the University Senate, about meetings, forums, and conferences on major issues in educational policy and public service.
• The Senior Vice President, Research and Economic Development shall serve as an ex-officio member of this committee.

Information Technology Committee

Standing Charge: This committee shall have primary responsibility for matters directly related to the impact of Information Technology software and infrastructure that impacts research, graduate and undergraduate education, and the administrative and business processes of the university. These responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• To provide feedback and input to the Senate all university-wide technology and applications.
• To provide feedback to the President on university policies and practices used by university offices and programs in software and hardware technology used by the university community.
• To evaluate and recommend policies concerning both information technology applications and infrastructure and the conditions under which systems and services are modified, added, removed, and administered.
• To review the broad educational and research policies of the university and how systems and services are developed and adopted.

Access, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee

Standing Charge: The Access, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Committee shall have primary responsibility for matters pertaining to:

• Enhancing campus climate;
• Combating the entire range of forms of bias (including racism, sexism, disability, antisemitism, Islamophobia, prejudice against LGBTQ+I persons, xenophobia, and other bias situations as may be determined;
• Promoting, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, access, belonging, and equal opportunities for access and success on all Rutgers campuses. These shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Actively promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive University community;
• Make recommendations to the Senate to improve access, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity;
• Advise administrative officers and others, through the Senate, on questions relating to actual, possible, or alleged discrimination as they affect the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other personnel of Rutgers, members of the university community including and not limited to program participants, visitors, and other guests, or Rutgers’ responsibility to the public (these matters may pertain to the following but not exclusively; race, age, gender, religion, spirituality or faith, sexual orientation, disability status, access, ethnicity or nationality, tribal or indigenous affiliation, Citizenship, social class, body size or type, xenophobia, marginalized groups and other areas of concern—that may contribute to disenfranchisement, inequity, harassment, threats, and or violence against members of the university community);
• In collaboration with other appropriate Senate committees, advise on matters pertaining to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of diverse faculty and staff;
• The recruitment, retention of a diverse student population is central to our mission as a university. In collaboration with other Senate committees, advise on matters related to the recruitment and retention of diverse students and students from historically marginalized and underserved communities, academic success, and overall experience of belonging at Rutgers;
• Identify data for analysis of university progress toward ABIDE goal achievement;
• Request not less than annually, that the central administration provide all University Senate members, and Senate staff with appropriate education & training modules on matters pertaining to ABIDE;
• Collaborate with Senate committees on matters related to “free speech,” and to review the central administration’s appropriate data pertaining to harassment, hostile environments, and concerns for safety and security;
• Request the central administration to regularly provide “university status/state of ABIDE” (report/ address, with particular attention to access, inclusion, and belonging related to individuals with disabilities
• At least annually, the Senate’s ABIDE committee shall meet with the university Equity Advisors, to share unpated and best practices information across Chancellor-led units.
• Explore Senate collaboration with ongoing and planned DEI (ABIDE) initiatives across the University through Chancellor-led units.
• The Senior Vice President for Equity shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee, and shall act as administrative liaison to this committee.

Appeals Panel

Standing Charge: The Appeals Panel shall hear appeals filed in accordance with University Policy 50.2.2C. concerning administrative decisions, and shall render decisions with respect to these appeals according to procedures adopted by the Senate.

The Appeals Panel will comprise an “on-call” panel of faculty, student and alumni senators representative of the disciplines and diverse opinions of Rutgers Community, and shall be appointed at the beginning of each year by the Executive Committee. This panel will meet only when an appeal is filed in accordance with 50.2.2C of the University Policy Library. Appeals Panel members will therefore be appointed to this panel in addition to their regular committee duties. In the event that an appeal is heard, members may request and be granted release from regular committee responsibilities for the duration of the appeal process. This panel will be convened and chaired by the vice chair of the Senate.

Election Committee

Standing Charge: The Election Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee in March or April of each year and shall consist of at least three Senators with the following responsibilities:

• Identify candidates for the offices of chairperson, vice chairperson, other members of the Executive Committee, and all other officers and representatives to be elected by the Senate.
• The Election Committee shall nominate one or more candidates for each office. The Election Committee chair, on behalf of the Election Committee, solicits and accepts additional nominations from the Senate floor during the election process.

Note: The report of the Election Committee shall be circulated to members of the Senate-elect by the Senate executive secretary at least five days before a special organizational meeting of the Senate-elect to be held in the spring of each year for the purpose of electing officers.

Senate-Elected Representatives to the Policy Approval Committee

• Any voting Senator is eligible to stand for the position of Policy Approval Committee (PAC) Representative.
• The senate should elect two Policy Approval Committee representatives during regular elections.

Senate Representatives to the Policy Development Panel
The Senate should convene panel to provide representation on the Policy Development Committees (PDC) as they arise. This Policy Development Panel should be made up of senators who volunteer. The Policy Development Panel should send two representatives to each Policy Development Committee.

Appendix A: Senate Enabling University Policies

• 50.2.1 Senate – Membership and Organization
• 50.2.2 University Senate – Duties and Powers
• 50.2.3 University Senate – Procedures

Appendix B: Senate Parliamentary Procedure