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Office of the Chancellor:

Shared Governance

Guided by Chancellor Conway's vision, Rutgers–New Brunswick embraces shared leadership and collective purpose.

Our Vision

At the heart of the Rutgers–New Brunswick community lies a steadfast commitment to the principles of shared governance—a commitment that honors the collective wisdom, diverse perspectives, and distinct roles of our faculty, staff, students, and administration. As chancellor, I affirm our shared responsibility to steward the mission of Rutgers–New Brunswick with integrity, inclusion, and a forward-looking spirit.

Our vision for shared governance is rooted in a culture of mutual trust, transparency, and open communication—one where all voices are heard, valued, and meaningfully engaged in shaping the strategies, policies, and priorities that define our academic life and guide our institutional direction.

We aspire to build a governance structure that is collaborative and inclusive, where academic freedom, institutional accountability, and informed decision-making coalesce to advance our educational mission, uphold our values, and serve the public good. Together, we will strengthen systems that are responsive, equitable, and resilient—ensuring that decisions are guided by evidence, shaped by dialogue, and aligned with our long-term goals and values.

Through this deep and ongoing commitment to shared governance, we will meet the challenges of our time while inspiring innovation, nurturing a vibrant academic community, and modeling ethical leadership for the future of higher education.

Francine Conway, PhD
Chancellor, Rutgers–New Brunswick

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Headshot of Chancellor Francine Conway

Our vision for shared governance is rooted in a culture of mutual trust, transparency, and open communication—one where all voices are heard, valued, and meaningfully engaged in shaping the strategies, policies, and priorities that define our academic life and guide our institutional direction.

Chancellor Conway

Shared Governance Bodies

New Brunswick Faculty Council

The New Brunswick Faculty Council (NBFC) is a key shared governance body from which the Rutgers–New Brunswick chancellor seeks and receives advice on issues affecting and relevant to the faculty and campus.

Rutgers University Senate

The Rutgers University Senate is a universitywide deliberative body consisting of representatives of Rutgers faculty, students, staff, administrators, and alumni.

Shared Governance Committees

Within the university’s shared governance framework, a range of committees play a vital role in advising the chancellor on key institutional matters, ensuring collaborative decision-making and inclusive representation.

  • The Campus Policy Review Committee is established to review campus policies and advise the chancellor on policy changes and potential policy impacts.

    Charges:

    • Review proposed and existing campus-level policies to ensure alignment with university values, mission, and strategic priorities.
    • Evaluate policies for clarity, consistency, and impact on students, faculty, and staff.
    • Identify areas where new or revised policies are needed to support academic, administrative, and student life functions.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions and sector best practices to inform recommendations.
    • Ensure that campus policies complement, and do not conflict with, university-wide policies.
    • Report findings and recommendations to the chancellor for decision-making and implementation
  • The Campus Risk and Security Committee advises the chancellor on strategies, policies, and initiatives to identify, mitigate, and manage risks across the university while ensuring the security, safety, and well-being of the campus community. The committee promotes a proactive approach to risk management and security operations, integrating emergency preparedness and collaborative problem-solving.

    Charges:

    • Review and recommend policies related to campus security, emergency preparedness, and risk management.
    • Assess emerging risks and analyze incidents to inform proactive mitigation strategies.
    • Facilitate coordination and communication among students, faculty, staff, and campus safety personnel.
    • Advise on training, awareness, and educational programs to strengthen risk reduction and security practices.
    • Support strategic planning and resource allocation for long-term risk management and security initiatives
  • The Campus Transportation Committee is established to advise the chancellor on campus transportation.

    Charges:

    • Assess the effectiveness of current campus transportation systems, including buses, pedestrian pathways, bicycle infrastructure, and parking.
    • Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, reliability, and user experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
    • Explore sustainable and innovative practices to reduce the campus carbon footprint and advance climate goals.
    • Engage stakeholders to understand diverse transportation needs, including those of commuters, residential students, and individuals with accessibility considerations.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions and large-scale transit systems to identify best practices.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the chancellor to guide short- and long-term transportation planning.
  • The Chancellor’s Commission on Native Imagery advises the chancellor on respectful practices regarding Native imagery, fostering dialogue, partnership, and community and advancing cultural understanding across the university.

    Charges:

    • Recommend ways to honor and partner with the Lenni-Lenape people, on whose traditional territory Rutgers is located.
    • Identify opportunities for education, celebration, and community building that strengthen cultural understanding and respect.
    • Facilitate ongoing dialogues that promote awareness of Native histories and contributions within the Rutgers community.
    • Review campus symbols, practices, and representations to ensure they reflect respect, accuracy, and inclusivity.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions to identify best practices in addressing Native imagery and engagement.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the chancellor to guide policy, programming, and community partnerships.
  • The Committee on Belonging, Community, and Inclusive Excellence advises the chancellor on initiatives and strategies to foster a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

    Charges:

    • Promote a campus environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging.
    • Support efforts to recruit, retain, and advance a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.
    • Develop programs and experiences that encourage cross-cultural engagement and meaningful dialogue across differences.
    • Review policies, procedures, and practices to ensure they effectively address bias, inequity, and harassment.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions to identify best practices in fostering inclusive communities.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the chancellor to inform policies, programs, and campus initiatives.
  • The Committee on Commencement works to support a meaningful and smoothly executed commencement experience, providing guidance on speakers, programming, and overall coordination.

    Charges:

    • Provide guidance on the overall vision and experience of commencement to ensure it reflects the values, mission, and traditions of the university.
    • Coordinate and review recommendations for the selection of the commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients.
    • Support the development of logistics and programming to ensure a seamless and celebratory experience for graduates, families, and guests.
    • Identify opportunities to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and community pride in commencement events.
    • Benchmark commencement practices against peer institutions to ensure Rutgers–New Brunswick remains exemplary in its celebration of student achievement.
    • Report findings, recommendations, and updates to the chancellor on a regular basis.
  • The Finance and Business Strategy Committee is established to advise the chancellor on the Rutgers–New Brunswick budget, resource allocation, and strategic planning.

    Charges:

    • Identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost savings, and operational efficiency while maintaining academic and programmatic quality.
    • Submit findings and recommendations to the chancellor to inform decision-making and resource planning
    • Assist in the development of data strategies by identifying data needs, data deficits, and the development of a metrics framework that measures Academic Master Plan outcomes.
  • The New Brunswick Community Engagement Task Force advises the chancellor on strategies to strengthen community engagement, partnerships, and civic involvement at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

    Charges:

    • Coordinate collaborations across campus units to maximize impact and reduce duplication of efforts.
    • Review and maintain a central repository of existing and developing community engagement programs.
    • Identify best practices for engaging students, faculty, and staff in community initiatives.
    • Develop mechanisms to recognize and incentivize faculty and staff committed to community engagement and civic scholarship.
    • Evaluate gaps and opportunities to expand community engagement efforts.
    • Identify strategies to build and strengthen partnerships throughout the State of New Jersey.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions to identify effective engagement practices.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the chancellor to inform campuswide community engagement strategies.
  • The Research and Innovation Committee advises the chancellor on strategies and initiatives that strengthen Rutgers–New Brunswick’s research enterprise, expand student engagement, and foster a culture of innovation.

    Charges:

    • Evaluate policies and programs that impact research activities and productivity.
    • Identify opportunities to broaden student participation in interdisciplinary research.
    • Promote equitable access and representation in research activities.
    • Ensure research initiatives support the Academic Master Plan and university priorities.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions to identify best practices.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the chancellor to guide campus-wide strategies.
  • The Student Experience Committee works to strengthen student belonging and support by engaging students, assessing needs, and recommending improvements to the chancellor.

    Charges:

    • Engage with students to better understand their experiences and the resources available to support them.
    • Identify opportunities to foster a sense of community and connectedness among students.
    • Promote initiatives that create a welcoming, equitable, and supportive learning environment for all students.
    • Benchmark against peer institutions to identify best practices for student engagement and success.
    • Provide findings and recommendations to the Chancellor to inform campus-wide strategies and priorities.