Senate represents voice of the campus in shared governance process
The administration, faculty, staff and students working together for the good of the University and its members. Some call it idealistic. Others call it shared governance. For nearly three decades, Montclair State University has had some form of shared governance. Although it has gone by different names-the Faculty Senate, the College Senate and, as it is known today, the University Senate-the idea behind the structure has remained the same: to have a process in place in which all constituencies work together on issues that impact the campus community.
"It's the one place where everyone gets together for discussion," said Rich Wolfson, who became president of the University Senate last May. "It's important that there is a real dialogue between the administration and all constituencies. At a university where there is a tradition of shared governance, input from faculty and staff is extremely important." The University Senate includes 37 voting members-12 at-large, four professional staff, one librarian, the Student Government Association president, a graduate student representative, three members from the School of Business, three from the School of the Arts, four from the College of Education and Human Services, five from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and three from the College of Science and Mathematics. The non-voting members include the administrative vice presidents, the deans, an administrative professional representative, a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, a Local 1904 representative and three student representatives. All voting members represent one of the Senate's three councils-Administrative Affairs, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.
"The important thing about shared governance is there has to be a genuine attempt by everyone involved to make the philosophy work," said Wayne Bond, who served as president of the Senate for 14 years. "Shared governance gives a large number of the faculty and staff the opportunity to have input on important issues relating to the University. It also affords the administration the opportunity to get feedback from the people who will be affected by their decisions." Both Wolfson and Bond point to the restructuring of the GER and the move toward university status as two examples of shared governance working at its best.
A few years after his election as Senate president in 1984, Bond initiated regular meetings between the Senate's Executive Board and the President's Executive Council. It is during these meetings that each group is kept informed about important issues and concerns being deliberated by both parties, and according to Bond, the meetings serve as a continual reminder that the shared governance process should not be overlooked. "Shared governance is constantly evolving," he said. "Sometimes we take four steps forward but then we may take two steps back. It takes time. There is a natural dichotomy in any university setting. It takes time to build trust and a working relationship. But I believe at Montclair State there is a genuine commitment by both parties to make it work."
Gregory Waters, deputy provost and vice president for Institutional Advancement, described shared governance as an "ideal that we must work at constantly. It reminds me of continuous quality improvement in that respect," he said. "The Senate provides an opportunity to keep the lines of communication open, operates on the principal of collegial respect and is grounded in a commitment to advance the greater good of the University. Like any organization, it can be improved, but there is no question that there are many senators who make it work in a responsible manner."
Recently, the Senate Executive Board and the vice presidents participated in a retreat to re-examine the shared governance process. In addition, a Shared Governance Assessment Committee, which includes representatives from the faculty, professional staff, administration and students, has been established to assess the shared governance process. The committee is expected to present a status report to the University Senate at its December meeting and a final report at the March 2000 meeting.
Committees such as this are instrumental to the workings of the University. There are approximately 15 standing committees and 27 advisory committees that report to the University Senate. "The Senate coordinates the entire committee structure of the University," Wolfson said, "and these committees are the lifeblood of the University." Bond agreed and said committee work is an excellent opportunity for members of the campus community to become involved in the shared governance process.
"On most issues, the Senate truly is the voice of the University community," Bond said.
This year Montclair State University had the lowest undergraduate tuition and fee rates among New Jersey's senior public colleges and universities, $317 less for tuition and $160 less for fees. It is anticipated that even with the proposed tuition increase for FY2000, Montclair State, the largest comprehensive university in New Jersey, will remain the most affordable.
The proposed increase for undergraduate in-state residents for the upcoming summer, fall and spring semesters is 5 percent, which represents a dollar increase of $4.78 per credit hour for the summer and $5.01 for the fall and spring.
Harry Schuckel, vice president for Budget, Planning and Information Technology, said the proposed in-state undergraduate increase represents the lowest for Montclair State since 1994.
For in-state graduate students, the proposed increase is $13.85 and $14.50 per credit hour for summer and fall/spring, respectively. For the first time this year, a separate tuition rate is proposed for the MBA. Separate tuition rates also were established for the new MFA program and the new doctoral program in pedagogy. This keeps Montclair State in line with the tuition structure of similar programs, Schuckel said, adding that the rates are still considerably lower than other professional programs in the state.
The proposed student fees for FY2000 include increases in the athletic fee, the student union building fee, the computer technology fee and the facilities fee. There are no increases proposed for the general service, Student Government Association and parking fees.
At the Board of Trustees open forum last week, a tuition and fee schedule for the summer 2000 also was presented. "We're doing this now to allow sufficient prep time for students and parents," Schuckel said.
Several people voiced their opinions about the proposed tuition increases at the hearing. Comments varied from the five students who spoke, ranging from one who said any increase is unnecessary to another who thanked the Board for keeping the increase to 5 percent.
Bonnie Lustigman, representing AFT Local 1904, asked the Board to be mindful of the many students who work to finance their education. "We are an access institution," she said. "Although the increase doesn't seem great, it is a burden for some of our students."
Rich Wolfson, president of the University Senate, read a resolution passed by the Senate at its last meeting urging the Board of Trustees to publicly support the Commission on Higher Education to restore funding to New Jersey higher education.
"It's never a happy thing to propose tuition increases," said MSU President Susan A. Cole. "But under these circumstances [decreased funding in state appropriations over the years and inflation], it's necessary. The proposed increases are modest and well-aligned with general tuition circumstances in the state. Montclair State has the lowest tuition and fees of all the senior colleges and universities, making us a viable opportunity and we're glad about that. Even with these increases, we will remain the most affordable."
The Board is expected to vote on tuition and fees for FY2000 and Summer 2000 at its April 8 meeting.
Traditional health insurance or an HMO? Do I pay for my health coverage? What's the difference between the Dental Plan Organizations and the Dental Expense Plan? If my child turns 18 in January 2000, do I need to drop her now from my health plan coverage? These are just a few of the questions employees may have this month during open enrollment for medical, dental and prescription drug coverage.
Information about open enrollment and changes to various health plans was distributed to employees last month through Health Capsule, a newsletter published by the New Jersey State Department of the Treasury, Division of Pension and Benefits. Those who have additional questions can attend the vendor fair Monday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. Retirement plan representatives also will be at the fair.
According to Joanne Wale, Employee Benefits coordinator, the best way to choose health and dental coverage for yourself and your family is to be informed about what the various plans have to offer. "A plan that is right for one person may not be the best for someone else," she said. "It depends on the needs of the individual."
Wale advised that even those who are satisfied with their coverage should
read the information distributed to see if there are changes that affect
their plans, including changes in- names, service areas, telephone numbers
and member services. For instance: € Cigna CoMed is now called Cigna HealthCare
and its service area has been expanded.
€ HMO Blue is now called Horizon HMO.
€ Beginning July 1, employees enrolled in NJ Plus or the traditional plan can no longer submit prescription drug copayment amounts for reimbursement.
€ NYLCare has been acquired by Aetna/US Healthcare, and employees enrolled in NYLCare will automatically be transferred to Aetna/US Healthcare unless they switch to another plan during open enrollment.
€ There will be a slight decrease in the employee contribution to the
traditional plan.
€ Beginning July 1, the maximum dispensable amount for any drug at a retail
pharmacy will be a 30-day supply, with some restrictions, and co-payments
for the mail order program has been reinstated.
There also are changes to dental coverage. While rates for the Dental Plan Organizations (DPO) will remain the same, the Dental Expense Plan rates will increase by 35 percent. Two DPO-Dental Group of New Jersey and John D. Kernan-are no longer offered. In addition, changes have been made to several of the covered services offered by the DPO and are listed in Health Capsule.
"It really does pay to be informed and read all the information available before choosing or changing your health and dental coverage," Wale explained. "The decision you make now remains in effect until the next open enrollment, which is April 2000."
Information about health and dental coverage is available on the Internet at www.state.nj.us/treasure/pensions/shbp/htm.
Forty-seven students representing 32 campus departments received Outstanding Student Employee Awards at a reception last week. Students were nominated by their supervisors and the winners were selected by a committee. Each student selected will receive a $100 gift certificate to the University Bookstore. Congratulations to:
Eon Adams, Child Care Center; Brian Alburger, Campus Recreation; Michael Aquino, Theatre and Dance; Claudia Arango, President's Office, and Humanities and Social Sciences; Larissa Madeline Bonilla, Auxiliary Enterprises; John Brost, Student Center; Lucia Bukovicova, Micrographics; Stephanie Cassidy, Student Center; Nick Cicarelli, Athletics/HPPERLS; Emy Concepcion, Student Development and Campus Life; Nancy Cornejo, Child Care Center; Christina Davis, Campus Recreation; Beth Deremer, Student Center; Riti Desai, Student Development and Campus Life; Savrina Diaz, Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences; Kelly Dolan, Alumni Relations; Evangelia Dounis, Cooperative Education; Kelly Dowling, Child Care Center; Marfa Ertilus, Child Care Center; Valerie Eurell, Student Center; Olasehinde B. Fasehun, Academic Needs Assessment; Karen Fox, Dean of Students; Toni Lynn Imperiale, Payroll; Jaylene Jardinico, Economics and Finance; Perry Jones, Public Information; Tammi A. Johnson, Financial Aid; Demarcus King, Humanities and Social Sciences; Cemil Levent, Sprague Library; Jodilyn MacRonald, Economics and Finance; Dante Marchesani, Campus Recreation; Kellianne Martin, Psychological Services; Genaro Martinez, Career Development; Matthew Lore, Sprague Library; Jennifer E. Moran, English; Amanda Myers, Athletics/HPPERLS; Sharon B. Paliga, Sprague Library; Cristina Randzin, Speech Communication; Therese A. Rawlins, Academic Needs Assessment; Jennifer Russo, Marketing; Sharon Sabatino, Psychological Services; Ana Sanchez, Educational Opportunity Fund; Brenda Sheehan, Graduate School; Georgia Sklazounos, Women's Studies; Olanrewaju Soremekun, Sprague Library; Alyson Thelin, President's Office; Anny Uddin, Classics; and Jason Williams, Child Care Center.
According to the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, nearly 7,000 self-identified disabled students were enrolled in New Jersey colleges and universities in 1994-95, the year for which the latest statistics are available. Currently at Montclair State, more than 250 students utilize the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, said Coordinator Linda Smith.
This week, the University will foster a better understanding of people with disabilities and celebrate the diverse culture through Disability Awareness Days. "Through this program, we hope the stereotypical and prejudicial thinking about individuals with disabilities will be reduced and their full participation in campus and community life will be promoted," she said.
Here are the events planned:
Monday, April 5: New Jersey Wheelchair All-Stars Basketball Game.
Students and faculty will play in wheelchairs against a star New Jersey
wheelchair basketball team. 7:30-9:30 p.m., Panzer Gym.
Tuesday, April 6: "Staring Back: The Disability Experience from the Inside Out" by Kenny Fries, a teacher in the M.F.A. writing program at Goddard College, Vt. Fries is an activist in disability and AIDS movements and published author of a memoir, poetry and anthology of writings on disability. Noon-2 p.m., Dickson Hall, Room 178.
Wednesday, April 7: Information Fair. Noon-2 p.m., Student Center Quad and Ballrooms. Includes a view of a car and van that have been modified for individuals with physical disabilities.
Student Forum: "Challenges of Disability: Perspectives from MSU Students." 2-4 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms. Students with disabilities will discuss living with a disability and going to college.
Thursday, April 8: Jeff Charlebois, sit-down comic. 7:30-9 p.m., Student Center, Rathskeller.
Books with a disability theme will be featured throughout the month in the exhibit case in the Sprague Library lobby.
Joseph Hecht
professor, marketing
"Toys "R" Us and other retailers are very interested in our graduates because Montclair State offers one of the few retail merchandising programs in the state."
It was love at first sight. Joseph Hecht of Marketing was a soldier marching smelly and dirty through the streets of Paris at the end of World War II when something caught his eye-Woolworth's. "I said to my sergeant, 'I've got to go in there. I'll be right out,' " Hecht recalled. "When I went in it was like being back in New York City where I had come from. It was a pleasure."
Although Hecht said he's sorry that Woolworth's is long gone, his passion for retailing still burns strong. He said opportunities in the retailing industry today are abundant, yet it's difficult to fill those positions in this growing, international industry.
INSIGHT: What is the state of retailing?
Hecht: It's in transition. Shopping malls especially have undergone a lot
of changes over the past 15 years from just places to shop to entertainment
centers with movies, arcades and rides. The Mall of America, located in
Minnesota, is the biggest shopping center in the United States with 4.2
million square feet. However, indications are that companies will be moving
out of the malls and into strip centers, mainly because of cost. In addition
to rent, businesses pay for the upkeep of malls, but retailers find that
it's cutting too deep into their profits. Retaining customers today is difficult
because everybody is in the discount business. The big stores like JC Penney,
Sterns, Macy's, even fine stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, are putting coupons
in newspapers. These large department stores, or anchor stores, are the
basis of the shopping malls. If they bring people in, then people will also
shop in the specialty stores.
INSIGHT: Why are there so many positions available in the industry?
Hecht: A lot of people are in retailing temporarily as a stop-off before
going into what they really want to do. You can move up rapidly because
the competition is always quitting. People have the wrong impression of
retailing. They think because most stores are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. those
are going to be their hours. But retailers work eight-hour days like everyone
else, with an occasional Saturday. Also, students get turned off when I
take them to see a warehouse. They have trouble accepting the logistics.
When I showed up on my first day of work as a buyer for Macy's, I wore a
suit. They told me to take off my jacket because I was going to move some
stock. Before I finished, my hands and pants were dirty. To me it was an
investment in the future. And it paid off. But some people don't like to
get their hands dirty.
INSIGHT: How are you preparing your students for careers in retailing?
Hecht: We try to get the students involved in three basic things-studies,
extracurricular activities at the University and experience in the field.
There are a lot of internships available. They fill the resume and give
students valuable experience. It allows them to say, "I worked 40 hours
a week in the summer, I earned a salary and I produced for the company."
I insist that all internships are paid because it bothers me when a company
making a profit hires students and doesn't pay them. We have a marketing
and retailing honor society, Epsilon Delta Epsilon, and a retail club, Delta
Epsilon Chi, that offer scholarship opportunities. Toys "R" Us awards two
$500 scholarships each year to students who take two courses in retailing
and maintain a 3.0 average, and the student voted as the best retailer in
Epsilon Delta Epsilon receives the Macy's award of $300. Toys "R" Us and
other retailers are very interested in our graduates because Montclair State
offers one of the few retail merchandising programs in the state. This year
we hope to receive funds to produce some international publications because
we're moving heavily into international retailing.
INSIGHT: What is the future of international retailing?
Hecht: We're offering a course this semester for the very first time in
international retailing. Toys "R" Us is an international retailer, and Wal
Mart is the largest retailer in the world with stores in 25 countries. Look
at McDonald's. We're selling hamburgers in Russia. Global retailing is the
future, so I'm pleased to see so many American stores in Europe-and doing
well.
If you're one of those couples who wants to have that first baby of the new millennium, it's time to get busy. According to Lee Lee of Biology, if you want to have a Jan. 1, 2000 baby, the little tyke should be conceived around April 11. "A pregnancy lasts 9.5 lunar months," said Lee. "That's 38 weeks or 266 days. Add seven days to the first day of the menstrual cycle then subtract three months and add a year." Because every body is different, Lee said these figures can never be exact. But she said you could always cheat and induce labor. Hey, was that a professor who said, "cheat?!"
Montclair State receives $30,000 GTE grant
Montclair State University is one of 15 colleges and universities in the
nation and the only in New Jersey to receive a $30,000 grant to increase
the number of minority students in the sciences. GTE Corp. recently announced
that $450,000 in grants will go to select colleges and universities for
innovative programs that will enable them to recruit and support qualified
minority students in the mathematics, science and engineering disciplines.
The grants, part of the GTE FOCUS program, were made by the GTE Foundation.
The grants will be used during 1999-2000 and will fund programs designed to give minority students the incentives, skills and support systems they need to complete an undergraduate degree in technical discipline.
Cole to kick off student-run Read-a-thon, April 13
Members of the Greek organizations and student clubs will be hitting the
books even more than usual this month as they participate in a Read-a-thon
to raise money to purchase computers and software for children in the Child
Care Center.
MSU President Susan A. Cole will officially kick off the event on Tuesday, April 13, at 10 a.m. in Russ Hall, Kops Lounge, coinciding with National Library Week, April 12-16. Students participating in the Read-a-thon, leaders from the student organizations, and children from the Child Care Center and their parents will be among those in attendance. All members of the campus community are invited to the kick-off.
"This is a worthwhile cause that we hope members of the campus community will support by attending the kick-off and sponsoring a student to read," said Anton Wheeler, president of the Student Government Association, who was instrumental in organizing the event. Throughout the month, students involved in the Read-a-thon and other members of the campus community will be guest readers at the Child Care Center, according to Janey DeLuca, director of the Center.
"The Read-a-thon is an exciting lead-in to the Center's celebration of the Week of the Young Child, which is April 18-24. This year the entire campus can be involved in the national celebration of children and recognition of their needs."
As part of the celebration, the Center is sponsoring a book fair Monday, April 19, and Tuesday, April 20, in the Commuter Lounge, Student Center Annex, Room 104. (See the calendar on page 4 for times). A variety of new books and book-related material for all ages will be available. On Friday, April 23, the children from the Child Care Center will walk across campus in their annual Week of the Young Child Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. from the Center.
Continuing Education offers two CLEP prep courses
The Center for Continuing Education is offering two CLEP preparation courses
this spring. CLEP is a nationally administered exam designed to qualify
into college credits the experience and knowledge gained by adults outside
the classroom. Six credits can be earned in each area: humanities and social
science.
The review program in humanities will be held April 21 and 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. The review program in social science will be held May 5 and 12 from 7-10 p.m. The cost for each cost is $35 and includes texts, information on testing and help interpreting your scores.
For more information and class location, call the Center at 4353.
Calling all collectors and people with other interesting hobbies
We know you're out there. The campus community is rife with people who have
interesting, exciting and even unique hobbies and interests, and we want
to know about them.
Do you collect toy trains? Make your own clothing? Raise pedigree dogs? Race cars? Are you a member of a rock band? Do you fly kites competitively? OK, you get the idea. Send your name, department, phone extension and a brief description of your hobby or interest to Bill Valladares, College Hall, Room 313, by Monday, April 19.
For more information about position announcements, see the bulletin board outside the Personnel Office in College Hall or visit MSU's web site at www.montclair.edu.
Assistant Controller, Financial Services and Accounting. Starting date: May 1. Send letter and resume by April 19 to Ruth Shaw, College Hall, Room 226. V-018.
Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, Business and Finance. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Starting date: July 1, 1999 (anticipated). Send letter and resume by April 23 to James Boylan, Search Chair. V-019.
Furniture. Antique pine dining room set (table opens for eight), six chairs, server and China, $700; treadmill, $300; four-drawer file cabinet, $30; corner curio, $125; girl's bedroom set, $400. Call Margarette Carelus of Architectural and Engineering Services at 4323 or send an e-mail to carelus.
If you have an item you would like advertised in the "Bulletin Board," send it to Diana St. Lifer of Public Information.
For tickets to or information about theater events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Noon Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
Afternoon/Evening Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
For tickets to or information about dance events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Immigration Series. Sponsored by Anthropology, Educational Foundations and the Center of Pedagogy.
Home games only are listed. Schedule is subject to change. For more information, call the Athletic Office at 5234.
ON 'CARPE DIEM'
The weekly television show produced by MSU broadcasting majors features Enrico Cortese discussing his education on the GI Bill, working at NBC and his career as a makeup artist to the stars, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Randall and Leonard Nimoy. Produced and directed by Brendan O'Melia; hosted by Larry Londino. Airs April 6 at noon on Cablevision channel 6 and 9 p.m. on Comcast channel 57; and April 8 at 8:30 a.m. on CTN.
AT THE MUSEUM
Admission to the Yogi Berra Museum is $4 for adults; $2 for children
and students. There is no additional charge for programs.
Saturday at the Movies. 3 p.m.