FACULTY SENATE 2005-06

MEETING MINUTES

March 28, 2006

RSC 111, 2:30p

PRESENT: Dave Carroll, Orv Clark, Maria Cuzzo, Martha Einerson, Matt Faerber, James Holter, Laura Jacobs, David Kroll, Peter Nordgren, Chuck Reichert, Cecilia Schrenker, Chad Scott, Nicholas Sloboda, Gloria Toivola, Julius Erlenbach, Christopher Markwood, Terri Kronzer, Matthew Arthur, Deb Nordgren

ABSENT: Marshall Johnson, Susan Loonsk, Ralph Seelke

EXCUSED:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Sloboda/Toivola moved to approve March 14, 2006 Minutes. Unanimously approved.

Receive Executive Minutes, March 7, 2006.

REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR

The Chancellor announced that he has made the decision to reserve the 10% for salary equity, and a formal announcement will be forthcoming. That amounts to about $23,000. He is thinking about taking some money from the contingency line, and give us an opportunity to do more in terms of salary adjustments.

Also, we are just shy of $10 million with our comprehensive campaign, over 50% of the way towards the original goal. We are making good progress.

REPORT OF THE PROVOST

The Provost thanked those that participated in the strategic planning forums. His office has posted the priority lists from each forum on the web. Second, he has forwarded a request regarding class scheduling information, based on the Scheduling Task Force’s report. One idea is to implement alternative scheduling days for classes. He asked Senate to discuss this matter and forward their recommendations. Fall of 2007 would be the earliest we could implement any changes. Carroll clarified that he understood Senate would respond during Fall 2006 semester. Sloboda asked if the Provost has experience with the alternative scheduling he is asking us to consider. The answer was yes. Toivola asked for clarification of the 6-day schedule. The Provost responded that there could be courses offered Friday and Saturday.

REPORTS

Chair of the Faculty

No report.

Secretary

Einerson reported the results of the Faculty vote on Constitutional Amendments. The following amendments were ratified:

-Reduce number of At-Large Senators to one (1).

-Eliminate consecutive term limits for Senators.

-Chair shall serve no more than three (3) consecutive one-year terms.

-Faculty Chair and Senator At Large elections will be held on Wednesday of 3^rd week in April, AND the Chair election will require a minimum of one public forum with candidates.

Faculty Representative

No written report. Sloboda highlighted that the UWS Compensation committee meets soon and we will put a faculty forward for this committee. The BOR will also address this issue. Sloboda has drafted a motion he will present to the Executive Committee. Please email him with any concerns about compensation challenges.

Planning Budgeting, and Review Council

Senate received PBRC review of Language & Literature. Deb Nordgren summarized their review. Continued assessment in their program is recommended. They are severely underfunded. Funding their tenure-track positions is necessary in order to meet accredition requirements. Toivola asked if the percentage of Freshman courses taught by ad-hocs was noted by PBRC. Carroll asked for a motion.

Toivola/Nordgren moved to send the report to L&L and ask for their response within 60 days, and no later than September 30, 2006. Unanimously approved.

Response from PBRC to HHP to their review was acceptable. Nordgren was on PBRC when the HHP review was conducted. They asked HHP to clarify the status of the community health promotion program--make clear this is a submajor within the Physical Education program, or seek authorization for a separate major. Deb Nordgren stated that PBRC did not discuss this specifically. PBRC did indicate changes should be addressed before the next review. Kroll stated that the new categories are submajors, and the major in question was split into two submajors. Community Health Promotion is a designated submajor.

Clark asked where these reports go after consideration. Is there some linkage to Strategic Planning? Provost Markwood commended PBRC for the thorough job they do on reviews. Yes, these reviews need regular review. SPBC will begin looking through all the PBRC reviews as part of the strategic planning process. Also, his office will be forthright about that review. Carroll noted that this particular review (HHP) was discussed at length by Senate and asked for specific responses by the department back to PBRC.

Schrenker/Clark moved that we accept the original HHP self study, PBRC review of the self-study, and HHP response to the review.

Unanimously approved.

Schrenker/Clark moved these reports from all departments, together with the PBRC response, be housed together and made available online for public review and use.

Unanimous approval of motion.

Markwood asked that he receive electronic copies to post.

Personnel Council

No report.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs Council

No report

Graduate Council

No report

Student Senate

Matthew Arthur reported that Student Senate is working on an advisement plan that will eventually come to this body, asking for excellent seniors to work with freshman in mentoring and advising. They are working with the Advisement Office as well.

They are also working with Tammi Fanning on daycare. They currently have $20,000 to subsidize daycare for students, which begins next year.

Strategic planning forums are missing students, so they are hoping to have a forum for students only. Commencement planning is underway. Daniel Fanning will give the commencement speech.

Women’s Resource Center was funded, and they are in the process of using money which was allocated. If any of us have ideas for resources to be added to the Center, let Dianna Hunter know.

Academic Staff Senate

No report

NEW BUSINESS

I. Funded Alternative Assignment for Senate Chair & Secretary

Carroll shared proposal from Executive committee that .25 funding be made for Chair and Secretary for alternative assignment time.

Toivola/Cuzzo moved to fund the .25 funding for ad-hoc replacement to departments for the Chair and Secretary of Faculty Senate.

Discussion ensued. Unanimously approved

OLD BUSINESS

I. NCA Senior Experience - Cecilia Schrenker summarized their report and highlighted their process. Primarily, they wanted departments to have autonomy in setting Senior Year Experience requirements, and these Senior Projects be publicized and shared with the campus community.

Toivola/Cuzzo moved to adopt the Senior Experience Report as presented.

Unanimous approval of motion.

Sloboda stated that Language and Literature was concerned the approach was fragmented with so much autonomy given to departments. Schrenker said this approach was based on the diversity of departments. Schrenker asked for understanding that this report will be acted on and not simply sit on a shelf. Carroll added that other university’s universities have done similar senior projects and have worked around fall graduations.

II. Faculty Senate Bylaws - proposed changes

Carroll reminded this body that according the Charter, Senate introduces this at one meeting and then vote on the Bylaws at the next regular meeting. Sloboda highlighted the four items we will address. The Charter Review committee met with the various Councils and received cooperation and input from these councils.

Under UAAC, term limits are eliminated.

Second, Personnel Council also recommends the elimination of term limits.

Third is Ad-Hoc grievance committee work already discussed at length.

Last, the proposal that PBRC be split into two councils-which he explained, including elimination of term limits.

Carroll asked about the Budgetary Review Council, should terms be staggered for members. We will honor these requests. Provost Markwood asked what type of planning do we mean when discussing Planning separate from Budgeting? Sloboda explained the intentions, emphasizing programming and planning for departments related to departmental mission aside from budgetary matters. The Budgetary Council would dialog with SPBC. Carroll added that during budgetary considerations, PBRC would get well behind in their program review process. Toivola clarified that the Provost might suggest that budget and planning are more related than planning and program review, which is assessment. Cuzzo noted that PBRC traditionally has been reactive in budgeting, rather than proactive. This move could allow the budget review process as well as program planning to be more proactive. Seelke expressed concern over the proposed lack of term limits. Cuzzo also believes the term limits are helpful and eliminating them is risky. The plus side is that there are folks who are really good at assessment and we should be able to draw on their talents.

Toivola/Faerber moved to approve all four amendments

Ten (10) voted yes. One (1) voted no. Motion carries. Bylaws are amended.

III. System Dismissal Policy

Toivola distributed a complete document as the version posted on the webpage was incomplete. Toivola also highlighted the alternative dismissal policy. Under existing policy there is no provision for suspension without pay. This alternative gives in on this point, and also recommends the burden of proof lies with the administration. This alternative was presented yesterday at Madison and was very well received, and we are hoping this becomes a part of all campus’ recommendations on the dismissal policy.

Toivola/Scott moved that:

Because UWS 7 as proposed is seriously flawed, be it resolved that the Faculty Senate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior rejects UWS 7 as proposed and urges the adoption of the alternative UWS 7.

Sloboda moved a friendly amendment to add WHEREAS, a number of ambiguities exist in the alternative proposed policy, and propose procedures in a cover letter document which address these and makes recommendations. Discussion ensued.

Vote was taken on the motion:

Ten (10) voted yes.

One (1) voted no.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjourned, at 4pm.

Respectfully submitted this 10^th day of April, 2006.

Martha J. Einerson, Faculty Secretary