Meeting Minutes #268
1. Call to Order and Chair Updates
Chair Haley called the meeting to order via Zoom on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1:10 PM.
Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was belatedly approved.
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of October 25, 2024
The minutes were approved.
Chair’s Report
- Parking and Transportation: Council has arranged for a focus group, led by Henry Velez, Vice President of Business Services, with just council representatives to meet with consultant to give feedback
- Dining Self-Study: Led by Salvador Mena, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Student Experience, this questionnaire has been sent to all faculty, and is due November 22nd.
- Chair Haely reached out to Dr.Mena, Tom Davis, and Tom Figuera to meet, with the goal to discuss approaches, deliverables, and how the council can get involved.
- Teaching Conference: Will occur on December 6th and in a Hybrid format. In-person registration has closed (With 60 registered), and zoom registration currently sits at 134 and will still be open for registration until early december. The goal of the conference is to provide concrete insights about the use of AI and instruction, and its critical examination.
- NBFC Microsoft Teams Migration: Full transition has been challenging. The goal is to make Teams a full project management, serving as a clearinghouse for storage of documents, where a lot of email communications can go and reduce buried email. Notifications must be set so all members are able to receive notifications as things are being sent.
- Given the Dean’s Panel, committee reports will not be conducted at this meeting. Instead, updates shall be offered after the meeting and uploaded into Teams.
2. Deans Panel (Moderated by Chair Haley)
Deans in the Panel: Dr. Alberto Cuitiño (School of Engineering), Dr. Juli Wade (School of Arts and Sciences), Dr. Lei Lei (Business School (New Brunswick and Newark)), and Dr. Stuart Shapiro (Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy)
The meeting involved discussions between the Deans of various schools at Rutgers University, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by their respective institutions. The Deans shared their experiences and perspectives on issues such as faculty involvement in decision-making, the impact of immigration policies on foreign students, and the role of non-tenure track faculty in their schools. The Deans also discussed the challenges of balancing the needs of different departments and the importance of community building within their institutions. The conversation ended with a discussion on the percentage of lecturers in each school's faculty and the potential for changes in bylaws to increase their involvement in decision-making processes.
The meeting further discussed the challenges faced by the academic community, particularly in relation to the writing program and the balance between interdisciplinary research and disciplinary focus. The Deans expressed concerns about the potential impact of the upcoming Presidential administration on academic freedom and the need for effective communication and support from the President's office. They also discussed the importance of balancing interdisciplinary research with foundational disciplines and the need to free up time for Deans and faculty to invest in initiatives that bring in more resources for the schools. The Deans also shared examples of successful interdisciplinary collaborations across schools.
The meeting also focused on building community and collaboration among faculty members. Juli emphasized the need for collective work towards common goals, despite potential hot button topics. The Deans agreed on the importance of community building and reducing the fringe rate to invest more in faculty, staff, and students. They also discussed the need for a more outward-looking approach to benefit the community at large.
3. Consideration of resolution on NB Faculty Inclusion (Facilitated by Chair Haley)
NBFC Resolution on Faculty Inclusion in Rutgers President Search.docx
A conversation was held on a resolution for faculty inclusion in the ongoing Rutgers President search, with an amendment proposed to allow non-members of the Council to be recommended for service on the Presidential Search Committee. The amendment passed with a majority vote. The discussion then shifted to the merits of the resolution itself. Supporters argued that passing the resolution would set a precedent for future presidential searches and ensure democratic representation. The resolution was then voted on, and it passed with a majority vote.
4. Other (Any Old or New) Business
None was discussed.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.
FUTURE MEETINGS
January 31, 2025
February 28, 2025
April 4, 2025
May 2, 2025