After a hiatus of a few years, the newly constituted Academic Senate, comprising 32 members of the four senate committees (Academic Policies and Research, University Planning and Budget, Faculty Handbook, University Rights and Welfare), plus the newly elected senate officers, President John Kehoe, English (Metro), and Vice President Joel Harmon, management (Flor), and the president of the University, J. Michael Adams, held its first meeting on February 4 on the Metropolitan Campus.

The rationale for returning to the University senate structure is to provide an improved governance vehicle for expressing the cross-campus faculty voice in University affairs. Prior to the formation of this new senate each campus had a Faculty Assembly. The Faculty Assembly at the College at Florham continues, but the one at the Metropolitan Campus has dissolved. The senate is not a replacement for the assemblies but an over-arching governance structure for the entire faculty.

At the February 4 meeting, the officers of the senate briefly outlined areas of faculty concern, particularly the faculty role in University decisions relating to academic matters, the admission policy for undergraduates and the nature of the Core program. President Adams then addressed the senate regarding budget issues and various initiatives the administration is pursuing, including the new position of chief academic officer, the transition plan for enrollment services management and potential new relationships with the World Health Organization and the Department of State.

The meeting concluded with progress reports by the chairpersons of the four senate committees: Academic Policies and Research — Vicki Cohen, education and deputy director, education (Metro); Faculty Handbook — Helen Brudner, history/political science and associate director, history, political/international studies (Metro); University Planning and Budget — Anthony Adrignolo, engineering technology and director, Advisement Center for Graduate Schools/Preprofessional Studies (Metro); and University Rights and Welfare — Faramarz Fatemi, political science and director, history, political/international studies (Metro).

New bylaws are now being written. Details concerning the concept of revolving officers are yet to be decided, and since the senate is resuming in mid-year, the term of office also must be determined and finalized by the newly elected bylaws committee.

February 2004

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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