APPROVED MINUTES FOR THE 1ST REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FACULTY SENATE
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES-CAMDEN
September 30, 2003
I CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 12:24 p.m. in room 123 Armitage Hall,
Dr. Tyler Hoffman, President, presiding. Dr. Hoffman welcomed everyone to the Faculty Senate’s
first meeting and introduced himself as the new Faculty Senate President. He then called upon the other
officers to introduce themselves. Dr. Jon’a Meyer, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and
Criminal Justice, introduced herself as the new Faculty Senate Vice President. Mr. Joseph Schiavo, Fine
Arts Department, introduced himself as the new Faculty Senate Secretary. (Mr. Schiavo created and
continues to update the Faculty Senate website, https://senate@camden.rutgers.edu/).
The April 22, 2003 minutes were APPROVED, VOICE VOTE.
II Approval of Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Sciences:
Diplomas dated October 2003 – Assistant Dean Nancy Gulick.
As presented in Assistant Dean Gulick’s memo of September 12, 2003, a list of prospective October
2003 graduates was discussed. The list of candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts and the
Bachelor of Sciences was APPROVED, VOICE VOTE.
III Approval of New Courses and Course Changes – Dr. Andrew Lees.
Copies of Form 29, Change to the Master Course List, were disbursed to each Senator. Senator Lees,
Department of History, discussed the new course, Education in America, which explores issues in the
history of American education, including the tradition of the common school; John Dewey and
progressive education; and recent debates about national standards. This course satisfies the state
requirement for a course in foundations of education for teacher certification. Approval of this new
course will provide a second course offering to fulfill the state ’s course requirement, relieving Sociology
of Education of some of the burden it currently carries by itself. The Education in America course can
be open to history majors as well as teacher certification students. Form 29, Education in America, was
APPROVED, VOICE VOTE.
IV Affirmative Action in Admissions – Associate Provost Debbie Bowles.
Associate Provost Debbie Bowles discussed the subject of student diversity. Two additions have been
incorporated into the admission application for the purpose of giving applicants a better chance at
admission. A question has been added asking students how they feel they will contribute to and benefit
from an academic environment in which there are students who come from groups that represent wide
backgrounds and experiences. The question is not mandatory, and it will not determine whether a
student is accepted. The personal statement part of the admission application has been expanded so that
volunteer work, extra curricular activity, awards, and employment can be presented.
Associate Provost Debbie Bowles stated that enrollments are up and thanked departments for adding
sections and labs to accommodate enrollment needs. She mentioned that through the use of technology,
including tools such as the College Board EPS and Carnegie Communication, we are able to identify
SAT test takers who would probably be a good match for Rutgers-Camden. This product lists SAT
scores, geographic locations, overlapping application information, online tour registration and
technology for all processes. It was noted that SAT scores are up; 1069 last year up this year to 1078.
Class rank is up; students are in top 22% of class. Transfer student’s GPA up; 3.4 last year up this year
to3.6. Non-transfer student enrollment up for first year students; 400 last year up this year to 470.
V Grade Change Policy – Dean Dan Hart.
Dean Dan Hart presented the Senators with a description of a Grade Change Policy that read:
The Dean’s Office is processing an extremely high number of grade changes.
Some courses are structured in such a way that a student cannot complete
all assignments until after the deadline for grades is past. Instructors in
these courses should require students to complete course work in a short
but reasonable period of time and file Change of Grade Forms.
Grade changes due to “clerical error” should be reduced to a minimum
and should not be used as explanation for a reconsidered grade; final
grades should be final. Instructors should also be especially careful
when computing grades so that “calculation errors” as a reason for
grade change are eliminated.
Under no circumstances should grades be changed as a result of students
pleading and/or pressuring instructors.
Senator Lees suggested that this policy be placed in the student catalogue under Grade Appeals, but it
was the general consensus of the Faculty Senate that it was necessary to obtain clarification from Dean
Hart as to what he wants to do with this policy. Perhaps general circulation of the policy to each
department could be an option. It was suggested that Dean Hart visit a future Faculty Senate meeting
and explain what he is planning to do with this information. President Tyler Hoffman will investigate
this issue and report back to the Senators at the next meeting.
VI Rutgers University Computing Services Information Session – David Gwalthney &
Stan Kolasa.
Stan Kolasa gave an abbreviated overview of the many new and enhanced RUCS services which include
email servers, web servers, net support, help desk, seminars, security, account support, modem support,
computer labs, mailing lists, administrative application support (class rosters, grades, transcripts, etc.)
The list could go on and on.
Virus blocking has become a real issue this year. Normally there are 5,000 to 10,000 viruses each year;
this year there were 85,000. It is important that everyone (especiallyMicrosoft Windows users) secure
their system at work and home by using McAfee Anti-Virus Software (RADS).
Spam (unwanted junk email) is being addressed by RUCS through the use of a spam filtering system.
Email users interested in this new option should go to https://www.camden.rutgers.edu/spam for
instructions.
Wireless networks have been set up in the Campus Center and Law School. In the near future Robeson
Library should also be wireless. Not all buildings will be wireless, but as funding becomes available
changes may be made across campus. Wireless users should be aware that wireless is not as fast nor is
it as secure as using a jack.
Stan Kolasa reiterated that the number of services provided by RUCS would require too much time to
cover at this meeting, but he strongly suggested contacting RUCS if anyone has any ideas for improving
RUCS’s services or if anyone needs RUCS’ help.
REPORT ON ATTENDANCE:
Members Present: T. Hoffman, J. Meyer, J. Schiavo, J. Dighton, W. Saidel, L. Burke, A. Roche,
S. Shende, J. Rushing, A. Lees, J. Still,W. Lee, M. Nerurkar, K. Frame, M.
Greipp, C. Brown, N. Marmorstein, I. Roseman, J. VanTil, G. Caputo, J.
Siegel, C. Avins, J-L. Hippolyte, K. Engle, C. Fitter
Members Excused: J. Baird, R. Cowley
Members Absent: J. Ma, JT. Barbarese, M.A.R. Habib, K. Shienbaum, R. Sanchez-Mayers,
M. Melroy, S. Cosminsky, W. Jerome, C. Markey, M. Dillon
Meeting adjourned at 1:20 P.M.
Submitted by,
Joseph C. Schiavo, Secretary
Faculty Senate (AY 2003-2004)