After serving on the Rutgers University Senate as senate chair for the past three years, SC&I Assistant Dean for Information Technology Jon Oliver is stepping down. He said he will continue to serve on the senate as a mentor to the new senate chair, and will also continue to serve the university through his work and teaching at SC&I. 

In our Q&A, Oliver recounts what he enjoyed the most about his years as senate chair, and he describes the senate’s mission in service to the university, explaining, “the challenges of the senate are the depth and breadth of issues we deal with and the complexities of finding solutions, However, the senate has repeatedly found ways to work together to create a beloved community that is a rich and diverse as the university it represents.”

SC&I: Describe how you got started in the Rutgers Senate, and what the purpose of the Senate is. What kind of tasks does it work to accomplish?

JO: The Rutgers University Senate has been the primary shared governance body at the University since the 1950.  It began as a faculty advisory council to the University President.  Over time, the addition of students, staff, PTL's, and alumni have been added so that the senate now includes all university constituencies.  

I became a senator in 2008 and have been re-elected every 2 years since then. I have served on the senate since 2008, was chair of the University Structure and Governance Committee from 2009 - 2020, member of the Executive Committee since 2013, Senate Parliamentarian from 2016 - 2018, Senate Vice Chair from 2017 -2019, and Chair from 2019-2022.

The senate consists of a dynamic, vibrant, passionate group of educators, students, administrators, and researchers who all care very deeply about the university. 

The Rutgers University Senate is the sole institution that represents the entire community of faculty, students, staff, administrators, and alumni to the President of Rutgers and to its Board of Governors. The senate serves as the principal advisory body to the president and on certain issues exercises legislative authority delegated to it by the Board of Governors. The senate deliberates on matters of broad educational and research policy. On its own initiative, it advises the president or the Board of Governors on any matter of concern to the university. The senate also exercises an appeal function. On certain matters, the president shall act only after receiving the advice of the senate or giving the senate a reasonable amount of time to present its views.

SC&I: Why did you decide to step down from the Rutgers Senate? Will you continue to work for the university in another capacity, or do you have other plans?

JO: The Senate Chair is term-limited. The chair's term is one year but can be re-elected twice for a total of three years. I have served all three years and could not run for further re-election but must step aside for others to run. I continue to work at the university, manage IT at SC&I, and teach for the school.  I have also been asked to participate in an advisory capacity for several boards within Rutgers.  I also have special status as the immediate past chair and remain on the senate to provide mentoring and advice to the new chair.

I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the president, his cabinet, and the Boards of Governors and Trustees, and have made many lasting friendships. 

SC&I: What did your years on the RU Senate mean to you? What were your favorite parts about it? Were there any challenges that came with being in the Senate?

JO: I have loved and cherished every year I have been on the senate and my various roles within it. The senate consists of a dynamic, vibrant, passionate group of educators, students, administrators, and researchers who all care very deeply about the university.  I have been honored to learn from and to lead this remarkable group.  I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the president, his cabinet, and the Boards of Governors and Trustees, and have made many lasting friendships.  I have been honored to play a small role in the life of the University and its governance. 

Learn more about the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website. 

Photo: Courtesy of Jon Oliver