Meeting Minutes #170

Members Present: M. Baykal-Gursoy, J. Bliss, R. Boikess, M. Cotter, J. Crowley, H. Fisher, D. Fishman, P. Gambarota, N. Glickman, M. Gordon, H. Janes, T. Jiang, R. Larrier, Y. Li, G. McGhee, K. McKeever, D. Minch, J. Reed, H. Sackrowitz, A. St. John, J. Shapiro, T. Szatrowski, K. Thompson, G. Werlen, L. Wiggins

Non-Members Present: P. Furmanski, P. Leath, J. Miller, T. Pernetti, K. Swalagin (Recording Secretary)

1. Call to Order

Council Chairperson Norman Glickman called the 170th meeting of the New Brunswick Faculty Council (NBFC) to order at 1:16 p.m. in the Graduate Student Lounge of the Rutgers Student Center, College Avenue Campus.

2. Approval of Minutes

On motion and duly seconded, the Minutes of the March 6, 2009 NBFC meeting were approved with one addition to the attendance.

3. Chairperson's Report - Norman Glickman, NBFC Chairperson

Chairperson Glickman introduced Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Pernetti.

4. Tim Pernetti, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Tim Pernetti, Rutgers’ new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, spoke to the Council about his history at Rutgers, the importance of fundraising as an aspect of his job, and his plans for intercollegiate athletics at Rutgers, particularly in the current fiscal environment. Pernetti then responded to questions, or heard comments from council members, regarding following the careers of student athletes after they leave Rutgers, the importance of publicizing positive academic accomplishments of student athletes, emphasizing "non-glamour" sports as well as the larger athletic programs, team-effort opportunities in athletics that are not generally available in most classrooms, balancing the director’s time among competing demands such as improving the overall athletic program and fundraising commitments, and the need for continual recruitment of faculty advisor and tutor volunteers.

5. Administrative Report - Philip Furmanski, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Philip Furmanski made an administrative report, which included comments on:

  • New Jersey’s and Rutgers’ budgets, and the breakdown of next year’s projected $60 million total shortfall;
  • the state’s decision to put most of the federal stimulus funds earmarked for higher education into financial aid to students, which Rutgers is arguing is not in accord with the federal requirements for the stimulus package; and
  • ongoing contingency planning in all units for budget reductions.

Furmanski then responded to questions or comments on subjects including:

  • specifics of the salary-rescission needs and projections;
  • the possibility of legislative restoration of budget cuts;
  • the Budget Advisory Committee composition and charge;
  • suggestions regarding voluntary return or refusal of salary increases;
  • specific Rutgers activities in Trenton to influence the legislature to restore some of the funds;
  • a suggestion that Rutgers prepare and issue a message to the entire Rutgers community, including alumni, explaining what the cuts mean to Rutgers, how difficult they are, and how Rutgers employees are participating in the sacrifice (which Furmanski said is already being done);
  • whether increased TAG funding would enable Rutgers to do more with tuition increases (it does not); and
  • personnel decision notifications.

6. May 8, 2009 Meeting

Council Chair Glickman said that the next meeting of the council would be for members only.

7. Library Committee Progress Report - Dan Fishman, Committee Chair

Library Committee Chair Dan Fishman distributed and summarized a 2008-2009 Library Committee Progress Report, then responded to questions regarding the report and the committee’s plans and meetings.

8. Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee (ASRAC) - Robert Boikess, Committee Chair

ASRAC Committee Chair Robert Boikess distributed and moved two resolutions: one on the role students should play in the formulation, implementation, administration and control of an academic integrity policy; and another on the role of faculty members in the academic integrity procedures. Ultimately, three related resolutions were discussed and adopted by the council.

9. Old Business

There was no old business.

10. New Business

There was no new business.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ken Swalagin, Recording Secretary