Every two years a new faculty representative to the Montclair State Board of Trustees (BOT) is elected by and from the tenured and tenure-track faculty. The current faculty representative is Jack Baldwin-LeClair of Legal Studies whose term will end May 31, 2004.

Interested faculty can submit their names or nominate colleagues for a two-year term beginning June 1, 2004 and ending May 31, 2006.

Role and responsibilities of the faculty representative
The faculty representative is a non-voting position created by the BOT. The faculty representative is not a trustee, but is invited to participate with the trustees in deliberations at the public meetings of the BOT to provide a broad educational perspective to the business before the Board. In addition, because the work of the Academic Program Planning Committee of the BOT is most related to the work of the faculty, the faculty representative is invited to sit in meetings of the Committee and to participate fully in its discussions.

The faculty representative does not represent any particular organization, department or college of the University, but presents his/her individual views as a professional and an educator. In making an appointment of faculty representative, the BOT seeks an individual who has demonstrated great commitment to the advancement of the University, professional distinction in his/her field of study, and a broad and balanced view of educational issues important to the University.

As noted above, the faculty representative is elected by the tenured and tenure-track faculty of the University for the BOT's consideration for a two-year appointment. In order to provide more opportunities for members of the faculty to fulfill the role of faculty representative, the individual is eligible for another term only after a four-year hiatus.

In addition, the University Senate constitution provides for the faculty representative to serve as a non-voting member and give regular reports to the Senate.

Board of Trustees
The BOT is the governing body of Montclair State University, currently consisting of 14 voting members and two non-voting members as follows: 13 citizens of the State of New Jersey, appointed for six-year terms by the governor with the consent of the Senate (all voting members); two students elected by the student body (one voting and one non-voting); and the president of the University (non-voting).

Pursuant to New Jersey Statutes Annotated 18A:64-6, the BOT has general supervision over the University. The Board has the power and duty, for example, to determine the educational curriculum and program of the University; determine the policies for the organization, administration and development of the University; establish tuition and fees; disburse all monies appropriated to the University and all monies received from tuition, fees, auxiliary services, and other sources; manage the University's property; appoint and fix the compensation of the president and other professional members of the academic, administrative and teaching staffs; and confer degrees.

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the full Board are open to the public and all formal action is taken in view of the public. Agendas are posted one week before each regular meeting on a bulletin board outside the President's Office in College Hall and on the BOT Web site. The faculty representative receives in advance all materials on which the Board will take action.

Further information about meeting dates, agendas, bylaws and members may be found on the BOT Web site.

Nomination Process
All nominations--including the faculty member's name and department--are to be submitted in writing or by e-mail to Lise Greene by March 12. Greene will verify with each nominee his/her willingness to serve. Ballots will be distributed electronically by March 22 to all tenured and tenure-track faculty members who are currently serving in faculty positions, and write-in votes will not be accepted.

Voting will take place electronically using the University's Electronic Voting Interface System, which guarantees anonymity and ensures that only eligible voters may cast a ballot. Voting must be completed by midnight on March 29. The voting results will be accessed in Greene's office in the presence of Professor Richard Wolfson, president of the University Senate. The results of the election, including the name of the eligible faculty member with the greatest number of votes, will be presented to the Board of Trustees, which will announce the results and take formal action on the appointment at the April 8 public session. The new faculty representative to the Board will begin his/her two-year term on June 1, 2004.

Questions about the Board of Trustees or the faculty representative may be directed to Greene in the Office of the President by interoffice mail, e-mail or by calling 973-655-4213. Correspondence to the BOT may be sent to the Office of the President.