My Yearly Report to the University Senate

September 24, 2021
 
Dear Members of the Rutgers Community,
 
This afternoon I offered a report to the Rutgers community at the University Senate’s first meeting of the academic year. Because the address touched on themes and ambitions that span the university and may be of keen interest to you, I want to encourage you to read a copy of my report, which is posted on my website. The meeting was recorded, and video of the meeting will soon be available as well.
 
My report reiterated the three priorities I have established for my presidency: a commitment to institutional strategic clarity, achievement of the ideal of a beloved community, and the relentless pursuit of academic excellence.
 
In addition to reflecting on some of the challenges and accomplishments we experienced over the past year, I also spoke about issues we will be tackling in the months ahead. Those topics include the future of work, university labor relations, and our commitment to carbon neutrality, as well as diversity strategic planning, athletics budgeting, and efforts to advance our academic excellence.
 
I also announced that for the initial group of faculty members who filed pay equity claims with the university, the university will be releasing a set of recommendations that would provide over $1 million in salary adjustments for supported requests. We have been working very hard with the union on requests for amending the equity review process in the labor contract and we still may be able to conclude that process. For now, it is important to get the first set of results out both to demonstrate our commitment to the process that we negotiated and to adjust the compensation of deserving faculty.
 
As I say in the conclusion of my report, I am inspired by the mission of transforming lives and communities embodied in the collective work of our students, faculty, and staff. But I also recognize that we can do better. I look forward to working with you as we take new approaches to everything from how we work to how we discover to how we learn at Rutgers.
 
I hope you will take time to read the report, and I welcome your comments.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jonathan Holloway
President and University Professor