Bill Text: NJ AR135 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Governor and Board of Trustees of Rutgers, the State University, to appoint voting student representative to board of governors.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-25 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee [AR135 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR135-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor and Board of Trustees of Rutgers, the State University, to appoint voting student representative to board of governors.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the appointment of a voting student representative to the Board of Governors of Rutgers, the State University.
Whereas, The Board of Governors of Rutgers, the State University, is vested with the control of the general operations of the university, including the government, conduct, management, and administration of the university; and
Whereas, Pursuant to N.J.S.18A:65-14, the power to make appointments to the Board of Governors of Rutgers University is vested with the Board of Trustees of Rutgers University, which appoints seven of the 15 voting members from among its own members, and with the Governor who, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints eight of the 15 voting members; and
Whereas, Pursuant to N.J.S.18A:65-14, all members of the Board of Governors of Rutgers University serve for terms of six years; and
Whereas, Nothing in N.J.S.18A:65-14 prohibits a member of the board of governors from stepping down from that board prior to the expiration of the prescribed six-year term; and
Whereas, In addition to the voting members, the university has voluntarily selected two faculty members and one student to serve as non-voting representatives on the board of governors; and
Whereas, No student has ever been nominated for appointment as a voting member of the Board of Governors of Rutgers, the State University; and
Whereas, The decisions made by an institution of higher education's governing board, including issues concerning curriculum, housing, and tuition and fees, directly impact the daily lives of students; and
Whereas, Students bring important skill sets, perspectives, and energy to institutional boards, and allowing students to serve on an institution's governing board as full voting members more adequately allows students to be recognized, provides a vehicle for students to voice their opinions and concerns, and brings a more balanced perspective to the deliberations of the governing board; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the
Governor and the Rutgers University Board of Trustees to consider appointing a
voting student member to the Board of Governors of Rutgers, the State
University.
2. This House further urges any student appointed to the Board of Governors of Rutgers University to agree, upon taking office, to remove himself as a member of the board of governors upon completion of his studies.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the President of Rutgers, the State University, and to each member on the Rutgers University Board of Trustees.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Governor and the Board of Trustees of Rutgers, the State University, to appoint a voting student representative to the Board of Governors of Rutgers University.
Under State law, the Rutgers University Board of Governors consists of 15 voting members, eight of whom are appointed by the Governor, and seven of whom are appointed by the university's board of trustees from among its members. Although not statutorily required to do so, Rutgers has voluntarily selected two faculty members and one student to serve on the board as non-voting representatives.
The decisions made by an institution of higher education's governing board, including issues concerning curriculum, housing, and tuition and fees, directly impact the daily lives of students. Serving on an institution's governing board as full voting members more adequately allows students to be recognized, provides a vehicle for students to voice their opinions and concerns, and brings a more balanced perspective to the deliberations of the governing board.
