Meeting Minutes #226
Members Present: J. Aiello, S. Bhuyan, R. Boikess, O. Carbonell Nicolau, M. Flahive DiNardo, M. Gliserman, A. Gould, P. Hirschfield, R. Kettler, S. Martin Marquez, K. Morgan, T. Ozel, A. Pichugin, I. Rauschenbach, F. Ryan, S. Sayad, S. Shapses, T. Stephens, T. Szatrowski, K. Thompson, S. Westfall, E. Williams, R. Womack, J. Worobey, L. Yu, J. Zahn
Non-Members Present: D. Hughes (Vice President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT), M. Mickelsen (NBFC Recording Secretary), P. Moghe (Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation)
1. Call to Order – Sanjib Bhuyan, New Brunswick Faculty Council (NBFC) Chair
New Brunswick Faculty Council Chairperson Sanjib Bhuyan called the 226th meeting of the New Brunswick Faculty Council to order at 1:10 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018 in Room 174 of the Busch Student Center, Busch Campus. His report included comments on:
- the Administrative Report will be given by Dr. Prabhas Moghe;
- SVP Barbara Lee and VP/CIO Michele Norin will be speaking at the next NBFC Executive Committee.
2. Approval of Agenda
The Agenda was approved
3. Approval of Minutes of September 28, 2018 Meeting
The September 28, 2018 NBFC Minutes were approved.
4. Administrative Report – Prabhas Moghe, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation – Rutgers New Brunswick
Vice Chancellor Prabhas Moghe’s administrative report included comments on:
- the mission of the Office of Research and Innovation;
- the establishment of research teams to exchange best practices within the RU-New Brunswick schools;
- creation of better research infrastructure in the state;
- developing close relationships with RU Foundation on federal research opportunities;
- Research Forums to help create more collaborative research ties, meet grant challenges, and network;
- inaugural forum was on May 18 and the second will be held on November 16 focusing on Planetary Stewardship
- a forum focusing on the Humanities will occur during the spring semester
- investment in the Innovation Mindset to include student mentorships and Innovation Fellows.
Moghe then responded to questions, or heard comments, on the above subjects as well as:
- interdisciplinary collaboration utilizing the libraries and virtual spaces on the NB campus;
- the Innovation HUB;
- a decrease in research funding and tenured faculty;
- issues with RCM;
- publicizing of the Research Forums;
- how follow-up is done after the Research Forums.
6. Contract Updates – David Hughes, Vice President, AAUP-AFT
Hughes presented on the current union negotiations calling attention to:
- Email from Rutgers AAUP-AFT Leaders to the AAUP-AFT community on October 24, 2018
- Appendix L: Agreement between AAUP-AFT and the Rutgers University Administration regarding the Infosilem Course Scheduling Platform
- Article 2 Academic Freedom Proposal presented on May 15, 2018
He answered questions on the following:
- negotiations specifically related to Infosilem and why it may be practical to negotiate after the simulations are complete in the spring semester;
- Canvas and concerns surrounding academic freedom;
- bonus money criteria.
7. Committee Reports
- Academic Affairs Committee - Robert Boikess, Chair and Alexander Pichugin
- Pichugin relayed that not much has been done regarding Infosilem since the last meeting. The committee will be asking for a more robust collaboration from the Chancellor when making decisions about the program. He also expressed the committee’s disappointment regarding the decision to make Canvas the University-wide LMS within the next 2-years and the lack of faculty input.
- Pichugin relayed that not much has been done regarding Infosilem since the last meeting. The committee will be asking for a more robust collaboration from the Chancellor when making decisions about the program. He also expressed the committee’s disappointment regarding the decision to make Canvas the University-wide LMS within the next 2-years and the lack of faculty input.
- Athletic Affairs Committee – Tom Stephens, Member
- Stephens gave a report in the chair’s absence. The committee discussed the desire to invite Pat Hobbs, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics-NB, to a full NBFC meeting in order to give a review regarding the Athletics’ budget and why it is still showing a deficient and diminishing role in the recruiting program maintaining standards. There is also a concern regarding faculty not receiving financial breaks when attending sporting events, which does not help faculty involvement with athletics.
- Budget, Planning, & Infrastructure – Ryan Womack, Co-Chair
- Womack reported that the data captured in the parking survey needs to be finalized and more to be collected regarding PTL parking that may not have been addressed. The committee will continue to discuss what other issues to focus on the remainder of the year.
- Faculty and Personnel Affairs - Karen Thompson/Tugrul Ozel, Co-Chair
- The Faculty and Personnel Affairs Committee did not meet.
- Student Affairs – Sue Shapses, Chair
- The committee had plans to meet with Michelle Jefferson, which were subsequently cancelled. The committee discussed topics of interest such as, drug use and mental health and will reach out to Melodee Lasky, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Health Offices for guidance. The centralization of the deans on the New Brunswick Campus and issues around class etiquette were also discussed.
8. New Business
Teaching Conference 2019 – Martin Gliserman
Gliserman discussed the desire to hold another teaching conference in 2019. Currently there is a solicitation for topics which can be submitted to NBFC Sanjib Bhuyan.
Inclusion of the NBFC in the University Policy Library – Martin Gliserman
Gliserman briefed the Council on the general feeling that there is a lack of authority coming from this body as evidenced by a lack of recognition of the work being produced. It was suggested an Ad Hoc Committee be formed to look into this issue in the spring.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:04 p.m.
Written and submitted by:
Mary Mickelsen
NBFC Recording Secretary