The following took place at the October 27, 2006, meeting of the University Senate in Camden:

Camden Campus Report  In his annual Camden Campus Report, Rutgers–Camden Provost Roger Dennis told the senate that Camden sustained a $3.5 million cut from Rutgers–Camden’s state budget, which resulted in 18 staff layoffs and the suspension of several faculty searches. Approximately 35 course sections were cancelled. “Our academic departments took great effort to reduce course sections in a manner that would still maximize the opportunity for students to access the courses needed to graduate in a timely manner,” Dennis said. Campus officials also mitigate the effects of the budget cuts by restructuring the academic office and consolidating services offered by financial aid, admissions, and the registrar’s office.

Camden has introduced several new degree programs: a master’s program in psychology; a bachelor’s program in human resources, and a master’s program in computer science. The nation’s first doctoral program in childhood studies will commence in Camden in fall 2007. And the undergraduate liberal studies program has been extended to Atlantic Cape Community College. “We will continue to be entrepreneurial in securing such opportunities as a way of serving our state and increasing our opportunities to generate tuition revenue," Dennis said.

Dennis highlighted several faculty awards:

• Heike Bucking, an assistant professor the biology department, recently earned a $420,000 NSF grant to support her research in the processes that metabolize and transfer nitrogen between soil fungi and plant roots.
• Jake Soll, an associate professor of history, earned the American Philosophical Society’s top award, the Jacques Barzun Prize, for his very first book, which examines the roots of political criticism.
• Ronaldo Parente, an assistant professor of management, recently became the youngest person ever to win a top award honoring individuals who promote economic development in Brazil. 

In the area of service, Dennis told the senate about the Camden Special Services Improvement District, which maintains Camden’s downtown and University District areas. Later this fall, the Rutgers Camden Technology Campus – an incubator that is helping to grow 50 client businesses – will relocate into the new, state-of-the-art Camden Waterfront Technology Center.

Renovations on campus are taking place. In addition to the School of Law building, which should be occupied in fall 2007 and completely renovated by 2008, the Camden campus’ dining facilities and gymnasium will undergo thorough renovations, Dennis said.

Availability of syllabi  The senate approved a report by the Instruction, Curricula and Advising Committee suggesting that Rutgers require all instructors to make available final, or at least draft, syllabi prior to the end of the add/drop period, in order to give students a clear indication of what topics the class will cover and emphasize (which sometimes differs from what is indicated in the catalog), as well as the workload and grading structure.

- Ashanti M. Alvarez