New Jersey City University Faculty Handbook
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

 

The University Senate

The University Senate is the primary means through which University-wide policies and practices evolve. The Senate provides members of the academic community of New Jersey City University with a participatory role in decision-making and in the governance of the University. Subject to review by the President and Board of Trustees of the University, the Senate discusses and reviews general academic and educational policies of the University; studies and makes recommendations to the Administration concerning university problems; serves as a channel of communication and orderly cooperation among the faculty, students, alumni, Administration, and Board of Trustees; assembles, codifies, keeps up-to-date, and makes available to interested parties all of the academic and educational policies in force at the University; and generally acts as an advisory body to the President and the Board of Trustees of the University.

The University Senate is guided by an Executive Committee, which consists of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and four other senators (one of whom must be a student). The Committee serves as a steering committee for the Senate; assists in establishing the agenda for Senate meetings; and meets regularly with the Administration between Senate meetings to discuss Senate business.

In general, the Senate meets monthly on Mondays during the regular academic year to transact its business. Among its approximately 75 members are senators elected by faculty, students, alumni, and administrative support personnel. Meetings are open to all. Resolutions and proposals come to the Senate from its nine standing committees, all of which have equal faculty-student membership.

 

› Link to the University Senate website


Constitution of the University Senate

PREAMBLE: To provide members of the academic community of the New Jersey City University with a participatory role in decision-making and in the governance of the university, consonant with their respective functions and different degrees of expertise and in accordance with recognized principles of academic freedom, we hereby establish the University Senate of the New Jersey City University.

ARTICLE I: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS

The Senate:

Section 1
Shall initiate policy and has the right to discuss and review all university policies which may affect its academic and educational objectives, subject to further review by the President and Board of Trustees of the university.

Section 2
Shall study and discuss university problems referred to it and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the administration.

Section 3
Shall serve as a channel of communication and orderly cooperation among professional staff, students, alumni, administration and Board of Trustees.

Section 4
Shall receive promptly requested information appropriate to its objectives from any member of the university community.

Section 5
Through its appropriate committees, shall advise the President on the selection and retention of administrative personnel at the level of dean, vice president, and above. The President shall receive and consider the advice of the Senate before making administrative appointments at this level.

Section 6
Through its appropriate committees, shall advise the Board of Trustees in the selection and retention of a President.

Section 7
Shall have the right to express itself formally on any matter concerning the welfare of the university and its various components and transmit its recommendations to the appropriate authorities.

Section 8
Shall have the right to discuss with the President and other appropriate university administrators all actions taken by the Senate.

Section 9
Shall assemble, codify, keep up to date, and make available to interested parties all of the University-wide academic and educational policies currently in force.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 | Categories of Senators

  1. Constituency of the Senate consists of the professional staff, students and alumni of the New Jersey City University. Professional staff includes faculty and non-teaching professionals.

  2. There shall be two categories of senators elected by the faculty: departmental senators and at-large senators. They shall serve two-year terms.
    1. Each instructional department, the professional staffs of the Forrest A. Irwin Library and the A. Harry Moore School, and those area studies/centers that meet criteria as established by the Senate, shall elect by secret ballot one departmental senator and one alternate from their full-time faculties.

    2. Eleven (11) at-large senators shall be elected from the faculty. Each academic department shall be entitled to nominate two of its members for the at-large senator positions. The immediate past chairperson of the Senate shall also be a senator-at-large.

  3. The non-teaching professional staff (non-managerial administrators) shall elect four senators and four alternates. They shall serve two-year terms.

  4. The alumni association shall elect one senator and one alternate. They shall serve two-year terms.

  5. There shall be two categories of senators elected by the students: at-large senators and class senators. They shall serve one-year terms.
    1. Full-time undergraduate students shall elect four senators-at-large and four alternates.

    2. The freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior class presidents shall serve as senators. The vice president/secretary of each shall serve as alternate.

    3. Part-time students shall elect one senator-at-large and one alternate.

    4. Graduate students shall elect one senator-at-large and an alternate from their number.

  6. Vacancies shall be filled immediately through election by the constituency involved, except for vacancies in the at-large category which shall be filled at the next annual election.

Section 2 | Election and Recall of Senators

  1. All elections shall be supervised by the Elections Committee.

  2. All elections, with the exception of the election of senators from the freshman class, shall be held in late April of each year. Freshman class senators shall be elected in October.

  3. The official year of the Senate, its members, officers and committees, unless otherwise designated, shall commence with the reorganization meeting which will be held on the first Monday in May.

  4. Recall of a faculty or non-teaching professional senator may be initiated by petition containing the signatures of at least twenty-five per cent of that senator's constituency. Recall of a student senator may be initiated by petition containing signatures of at least ten per cent of that senator's constituency. Signatures shall be validated by the Elections Committee. A majority vote of the appropriate constituency shall constitute recall.
ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATION

Section 1 | Officers

    1. On the first Monday in May, the Senate shall hold its reorganization meeting and elect from its membership a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary for terms of two years, with the privilege of re-election once. If a departmental senator is elected chairperson, the alternate shall become senator and the department shall then elect a new alternate.

    2. The chairperson shall perform all the duties commonly associated with executive leadership; shall call and conduct meetings of the Senate and its Executive Committee; shall, in consultation with the Executive Committee, provide and distribute (at least seventy-two hours in advance) agenda for all meetings; may vote to break a tie; shall submit a written annual report to the Senate in May; and shall attend board of trustee meetings, including appropriate committee meetings. The chairperson shall receive a reduction by at least one-half of normal duties.

    3. The vice chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson in the absence or incapacity of the chairperson. The vice chairperson shall attend Board of Trustees meetings, including appropriate committee meetings; and shall coordinate the activities of all Senate standing committees. If the vice chairperson succeeds to the position of chairperson, a vacancy shall be declared. Election for the new vice chairperson shall occur at the next meeting. The vice chairperson shall receive a reduction by at least one-twelfth of normal duties.

    4. The secretary shall keep minutes of all regular and special meetings and distribute these minutes, keep the official list of senators and accurate records of the annual elections, conduct the necessary correspondence, maintain a file of committee reports and perform such other secretarial duties as the Senate requires. The secretary shall receive a reduction by at least one-sixth of normal duties.

    5. The Senate may elect additional officers as its work necessitates.

Section 2 | Executive Committee

  1. The chairperson, the vice chairperson, the secretary, and four senators, one of whom shall be a student, shall constitute an Executive Committee. The chairperson of the Senate shall be chairperson of the Executive Committee.

  2. The Executive Committee, responsible at all times to the Senate, shall meet on the call of the chairperson or on request of any three of its members to conduct the business of the Senate between meetings. It shall serve as a steering committee for the Senate and assist in establishing the agenda for Senate meetings. Minutes of its meetings shall be kept and they shall be open to all senators. The four non-officers shall be elected at the organizational meeting and shall serve a one year term with the privilege of re-election.

  3. The Executive Committee is authorized to meet regularly between Senate meetings with members of the administration to discuss Senate and other university business. The joint committee thus formed shall be called the Senate-Administration Coordinating Committee.

  4. All actions of the Executive Committee and all other committees which establish or alter university policy shall be referred to the Senate for approval.

Section 3 | Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
The Senate shall establish such standing and ad hoc committees as it deems necessary to carry out its function.

  1. Powers and Duties

    1. Powers and duties of standing and ad hoc committees shall be stipulated by the Constitution and/or by the Senate. The enumeration of committee functions as outlined below is not intended to be exclusive.

    2. All standing and ad hoc committees shall be responsible to the Senate. They shall meet when appropriate or at the discretion of the University Senate chairperson, but not less than once a semester, and submit to the Executive Committee announcements of meetings, agenda, and minutes. They will prepare annual reports.

    3. Senate committees will submit to the Senate all their recommendations for initiation of new university policy or changes in present policy.

    4. Except for individual grievance cases and sabbatical requests, all items for committee consideration shall be channeled through the Senate chairperson.

  2. Selection of Committees
    1. All professional staff members of standing committees shall be elected for two-year terms. Students shall be elected for one year terms. Standing committees shall ordinarily consist of five members, including at least one non-teaching professional staff member and one student. Each committee shall elect its own chairperson annually. Members shall not be elected for more than two consecutive terms. Terms shall be staggered where practicable. No member shall serve on more than one standing committee. There shall not be more than one professional staff member of any department or unit of the college on a standing committee. There shall not be more than one student major from any department on a particular committee.

    2. Each department and each student class shall offer nominations through their senators to the Senate chairperson for vacancies on standing committees at least two weeks before the annual reorganization meeting. The list of nominees shall appear with the agenda. Nominations may also be made from the floor of the Senate. All nominees must have given prior written consent or must be present at the time of election.

    3. The chairperson of any committee may declare the place of an elected committee member vacant when the committee member has been absent from three regular committee meetings in any semester. The Executive Committee shall appoint a new committee member to fill such a vacancy or any others that might occur until the next annual reorganization meeting. Such appointments are subject to the approval of the Senate.

    4. Ad hoc and other non-standing committees will be established as needed. There shall not be more than one professional staff member of any department or unit of the University on a standing committee. There shall not be more than one student major from any department on a standing committee.

  3. Standing Committees
  1. The Academic Standards Committee shall establish and maintain standards and requirements concerning admissions, probation, dismissal, graduation, grading practices, and the general evaluation of student records for undergraduates.

  2. The Academic Support and Services Committee shall concern itself with the services provided by centers and offices including, but not limited to, the Library, Academic Advisement, Counseling and Psychological Services.

  3. The University-Community Affairs Committee will assist and advise the administration regarding the university's relations with the community. This will include, but not be limited to, public relations, building programs, security, parking, speakers' bureaus, alumni affairs, cooperative education, community outreach and grant seeking. The Committee will also establish guidelines and policies regarding the award of honorary degrees and the naming of facilities. The names of the candidates for these honorary degrees will be recommended to the Senate Executive Committee and then forwarded to the administration. Recommendations for the naming of facilities will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration prior to submission to the Administration. The Vice President of Development and Public Affairs, or designee, will be an ex-officio member of this committee.

  4. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee shall recommend to the Senate guidelines and standards for the general studies program and, jointly with the departments concerned, for academic majors, minors, concentrations, interdisciplinary programs, and professional sequences. The Committee should also supervise the implementation of said guidelines and standards and develop standards for the evaluation of all programs of research and undergraduate instruction, and for establishment and dissolution of departments, programs, and majors. The Committee, together with departments and deans, shall be concerned with the addition and deletion of all undergraduate programs and courses. The professional staff component of the committee shall include at least one professional staff member from the College of Arts and Sciences and one from the College of Professional Studies and the College of Education.

  5. The Elections Committee shall devise practical election procedures and supervise and administer all elections involving the Senate. It shall further devise and implement procedures to maximize the constituency's participation in senate activities.

  6. The Graduate Studies Committee shall establish standards for the admission and retention of graduate students, review grading procedures, determine requirements for graduation, and approve and evaluate all graduate programs and courses. The student member of the Committee shall be a matriculated graduate student who is enrolled in courses.

  7. The Planning, Development and Budget Committee will advise and assist the administration regarding master plans, the budget, long-range plans and goals, building/expansion proposals and the use of physical resources. It shall be involved in the development and review of the annual budget, and advise the administration on the apportionment of budgetary resources. This Committee will consist of eight (8) members with the Vice President for Administration and Finance, or designee, serving as an ex-officio member.

  8. The Professional Staff Affairs Committee shall be concerned with the general welfare and interests of the professional staff. It shall develop and recommend policy on academic freedom, professional ethics, professional development and professional staff personnel policies in general. These policies include, but are not limited to, promotion, tenure, retirement, leaves of absence, sabbatical leaves, appointment and retention, awards and research grants, exchange programs and workshops, provided such actions do not impinge upon the legal and contractual obligations of the bargaining agent. The Committee will also establish guidelines and policies regarding the granting of emeritus status. Candidates for this honor will be recommended to the Senate Executive Committee and then forwarded to the administration. The Committee shall include at least one professional staff member each from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies and the College of Education.

  9. The Student Affairs Committee shall develop and recommend policies concerning student welfare, including, but not limited to, areas of orientation, evaluation, counseling, housing, supervision, discipline, co-curricular activities, financial aid, and placement. It shall assist the Dean of Students in the development of student personnel programs and advise in matters concerning the interpretation and execution of these policies. When called upon, the committee shall deal with grievances initiated by students against students or professional staff. Upon receipt of a written appeal from a student, the committee shall (a) determine that the grievance has basis in fact; (b) inform the complainant of the legal administrative limitations of the committee in resolving grievances; and (c) determine that all normal avenues of grievance resolution, between the parties involved, and the applicable department chair and dean, have been exhausted. It shall then process the grievance and render its decision directly to the interested parties within six (6) weeks of receipt of the appeal. It may take further action if necessary. The committee shall include at least one professional staff member each from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies and the College of Education.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

Section 1 | Meetings

  1. All regular meetings will be open to all members of the academic community. The chairperson shall have the right to limit discussion by non-senators.

  2. The Senate shall meet regularly, September through May, at least once a month. Special meetings may be called by the President of the University, the Board of Trustees, or the chairperson of the Senate or at the request of one-third of the senators.

  3. Meetings shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order except as may be provided otherwise by the Constitution or by the adoption of by-laws. The chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Senate, may appoint a parliamentarian from the ranks of non-senators.

  4. A quorum at any meeting shall consist of one-half plus one of the total membership who have signed in. Unless a count is requested by a senator, a quorum shall be assumed.

Section 2 | Procedures

  1. A vote by roll call shall be mandatory when requested by one-fifth of the senators present.

  2. Regular meetings shall be limited to two and one-half hours in length.

  3. Minutes of meetings shall be promptly distributed no less than three (3) business days prior to the next Senate meeting to all senators, faculty, administrators, and the Student Government Organization.

  4. The Senate shall respond promptly to all requests from its constituencies and act immediately upon requests initiated by five per cent of any of its constituencies.

  5. The Senate shall reconsider actions taken, at the meeting following receipt of a petition, upon requests initiated by ten per cent of any of its constituencies.
ARTICLE V: RELATIONSHIP OF THE SENATE TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Section 1 | Relationship to the Board of Trustees, President and Administration

  1. The President and the Board of Trustees have the right to call special meetings of the Senate and to request consideration or reconsideration of specific items.

  2. There shall be a Senate-Administration Coordinating Committee which meets regularly between Senate meetings. It shall serve as the mechanism through which substantive items approved by the Senate are discussed with the administration prior to their consideration and promulgation as university policy by the Board of Trustees. The committee shall consist of the Executive Committee of the Senate and the President, vice presidents, and deans of the university or their delegates. Other administrative officers and chairpersons of Senate committees shall participate as necessary. When no agreement can be reached in the Senate-Administration Coordinating Committee, the Executive Committee may request the Board of Trustees to consider the matter.

  3. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the Senate, through participation in appropriate committee meetings and public Board meetings, shall serve as liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Senate.

Section 2 | Relationship to the Instructional Units
Actions of the Senate shall not contravene the rights of instructional departments to have control of their educational and academic policies, to propose programs and courses, to recommend candidates for appointment, retention, promotion and tenure, and to formulate standards for the evaluation of their offerings.

Section 3 | Relationship to the Professional Staff
Professional staff members have the right to attend meetings and be heard, subject to speaking limitations established by the chairperson, request consideration of particular items through their senators, and initiate Senate action in accordance with procedures outlined in

Section 4 | Relationship to the Students
Students have the right to attend meetings, be heard, subject to speaking limitations established by the chairperson, request consideration of particular items through their senators, and initiate action in accordance with procedures outlined in Article IV, Section 3.

Section 5 | Relationship to the Alumni and the Alumni Association
Alumni have the right to attend meetings, be heard, subject to speaking limitations established by the chairperson, request consideration of particular items through their senators, and initiate action in accordance with procedures outlined in Article IV, Section 3.

Section 6 | Relationship to the Official Bargaining Agent of the Professional Staff
The enumeration of certain rights and privileges in the agreements made between the professional staff's bargaining agent and the State of New Jersey shall not be construed as denying or disparaging others retained by the professional staff and/or approved by the Senate. All matters of compensation and terms and conditions of employment however, are subject to negotiations between the bargaining agent and the State, and/or local administration. The Senate shall take no action that impinges on the legal and contractual obligations of the bargaining agent.

ARTICLE VI: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 1 | Initiation

  1. Upon petition to the chairperson signed by ten per cent of any constituency, proposed amendments to this Constitution must be presented to the appropriate bodies for action in accordance with Section 2 below.

  2. A constitutional amendment proposed by a senator must be submitted in writing to the chairperson, who shall include it in the agenda of the next meeting. If at least two-thirds of the total body supports the proposed amendment, it must be presented to the professional staff and students for action in accordance with Section 2 below.

Section 2 | Ratification
The proposed amendment shall be submitted for referendum to the professional staff and students within two weeks after well advertised public hearings (one for students and one for the professional staff). Upon receiving the approval of three-quarters of the professional staff who vote and three-quarters of the students who vote, the amendment shall be considered ratified.

Section 3 | Approval of Amendments
All amendments shall be submitted to the administration and Board of Trustees for review and appropriate action, and shall be deemed accepted if no communication to the contrary is received from either within two months.

 

*Constitution Revised: April 1994
Accepted and approved by the Senate June 1994
Approved by SACC June 22, 1994
Approved by SGO October 1994