University Committee Meeting Minutes 2016-11-14
Minutes passed November 21, 2016
Minutes for November 14, 2016
UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Broman, Litovsky, Wanner, Wendt (chair)
Others present: S. Smith, M. Felber, J. O’Meara, J. Richard, J. Skubish (Cardinal), J. Yoon (photographer), K. Niemi, H. Daniels, T. Nolan
Chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Secretary Steve Smith briefed the UC on additional information related to FPP 1.02.B. (0% externally funded) faculty appointments. The UC reviewed and discussed documents pertaining to campus PTR policy and approved them by consensus for submission to the Board of Regents for approval. The minutes of the meeting of November 7, 2016, were approved.
Athletic Board chair Laurel Rice expressed satisfaction with her months in the position. The biggest issue facing the Board recently is the Camp Randall noose incident, which eventually resulted in a policy change. The Athletic Board met with Mike Morgan, the Big10 Advisory Rep supporting African-American athletes and continues to engage and move forward on the broader issues raised by the stadium incident. The UC supports the Board’s efforts in this area, specifically working with athletes and alumni to address concerns. Rice will present the last four AB annual reports at the December Senate meeting. Ample discussion.
The UC and ASEC Chair Kevin Niemi discussed academic staff titles, specifically the possibility of revising instructional titles to meet requests from deans for a “professor of practice” title, to respond to the Academic Staff report on titling, and to address issue raised by the provost regarding the incompatibility of Madison titles with those outside the university. Consensus that a group of faculty, academic staff, and administrators should study the issue and make recommendations. Ample discussion about how broad the charge should be (e.g., whether to include clinical faculty titles, whether to address declining faculty numbers, internal and external benchmarking, etc.) and what data would be helpful (e.g., examples of negative impacts of current titles, how departments structure FTEs to meet teaching needs, #/% decrease in tenure lines, etc.). Consensus that first step should be a meeting to explore the charge with representatives from OSOF, OSAS, ASEC, UC, and HR.
Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Michael Bernard-Donals discussed the most appropriate charge to the ad hoc committee on faculty leave, balancing equity concerns of covering everyone with practical concerns of cost-prohibitive recommendations. Following ample discussion, the UC supports two-track approach of asking for recommendations on time reassignment, colleague coverage, and the like to cover instruction and at the same time asking for recommendations on cost-neutral coverage options for everyone to complement FMLA. Pooling, whether through self-coverage or sick leave donation, suggested as potential solution. General support for search for guidelines and best practices, internal consistency, and creative thinking on this topic.
The UC discussed the ASM indigenous people resolutions and all agreed that simply asking the Senate to endorse concept of “Indigenous Peoples Day” and heritage months risked an outcome with no impact. Consensus to wait until there can be more heft to this, including supporting programming. Wendt will report back to ASM chair with recommendations. Chancellor Blank indicated that VCFA is gathering information on existing programming on this topic and will forward that to OSOF once completed. The UC discussed the 7th year review ad hoc committee, which was charged in early 2015 and never met. All agreed that this is an issue which continues to be a concern, although not in an urgent way, and the best way to proceed is to contact the committee chair to determine best way to resuscitate the group and move forward on the charge.
The UC discussed a potential Senate resolution against religious discrimination. While Muslims are under direct threat, there are other (religious) groups also made more vulnerable by recent events and consensus is that it would be best to not address issues piecemeal. Smith will contact resolution author to explore expanding the document to cover other groups.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank, gamely powering through a bad cold, updated the UC on climate issues and related meetings (with Senate, community advisory board, NAACP, alumni, students), the recent Board of Regents meeting, and Homecoming. On the climate issue, Blank’s main concern is safety and addressing (increasing) student and staff concerns, fright, and anger. Blank also provided updates on several ongoing searches and discussed post-tenure review policy and process for Board of Regent approval.
Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charlie Hoslet updated the UC on staff changes, including upcoming hire of a new staffer to focus on good news. Hoslet updated the UC on ongoing statewide outreach by the chancellor and turned the floor over to Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Brand Strategy Tricia Nolan who spoke about Project72 and Reinvest in UW campaigns. Nolan distributed a 2016-17 Media Plan and explained its goals and elements. Ample discussion, including websites and audiences.
University Curriculum Committee chair Leslie Smith presented the committee’s annual report and summarized work over the committee’s short lifespan. Early years focused on credit monitoring of course proposals, which is still a big task, but the committee has been able to expand into talking more about policy, equivalences, and revising the course proposal submission form. The UCC now spends half its time reviewing proposals and half time on policy. Ample discussion followed, including about size and composition of committee, workload, and improving communications with schools and colleges.
Tom Broman moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. The motion was seconded and passed at 3:40 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved three tenure clock extensions and three dual role waiver requests. The UC selected one nominee and several backups for the search and screen committee for a new director of FP&M. The UC decided not to nominate a faculty member to the search and screen committee for the director of Purchasing Services. Broman moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 4:09 p.m., at which point Wendt adjourned the meeting.
UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Broman, Litovsky, Wanner, Wendt (chair)
Others present: S. Smith, M. Felber, J. O’Meara, J. Richard, J. Skubish (Cardinal), J. Yoon (photographer), K. Niemi, H. Daniels, T. Nolan
Chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Secretary Steve Smith briefed the UC on additional information related to FPP 1.02.B. (0% externally funded) faculty appointments. The UC reviewed and discussed documents pertaining to campus PTR policy and approved them by consensus for submission to the Board of Regents for approval. The minutes of the meeting of November 7, 2016, were approved.
Athletic Board chair Laurel Rice expressed satisfaction with her months in the position. The biggest issue facing the Board recently is the Camp Randall noose incident, which eventually resulted in a policy change. The Athletic Board met with Mike Morgan, the Big10 Advisory Rep supporting African-American athletes and continues to engage and move forward on the broader issues raised by the stadium incident. The UC supports the Board’s efforts in this area, specifically working with athletes and alumni to address concerns. Rice will present the last four AB annual reports at the December Senate meeting. Ample discussion.
The UC and ASEC Chair Kevin Niemi discussed academic staff titles, specifically the possibility of revising instructional titles to meet requests from deans for a “professor of practice” title, to respond to the Academic Staff report on titling, and to address issue raised by the provost regarding the incompatibility of Madison titles with those outside the university. Consensus that a group of faculty, academic staff, and administrators should study the issue and make recommendations. Ample discussion about how broad the charge should be (e.g., whether to include clinical faculty titles, whether to address declining faculty numbers, internal and external benchmarking, etc.) and what data would be helpful (e.g., examples of negative impacts of current titles, how departments structure FTEs to meet teaching needs, #/% decrease in tenure lines, etc.). Consensus that first step should be a meeting to explore the charge with representatives from OSOF, OSAS, ASEC, UC, and HR.
Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Michael Bernard-Donals discussed the most appropriate charge to the ad hoc committee on faculty leave, balancing equity concerns of covering everyone with practical concerns of cost-prohibitive recommendations. Following ample discussion, the UC supports two-track approach of asking for recommendations on time reassignment, colleague coverage, and the like to cover instruction and at the same time asking for recommendations on cost-neutral coverage options for everyone to complement FMLA. Pooling, whether through self-coverage or sick leave donation, suggested as potential solution. General support for search for guidelines and best practices, internal consistency, and creative thinking on this topic.
The UC discussed the ASM indigenous people resolutions and all agreed that simply asking the Senate to endorse concept of “Indigenous Peoples Day” and heritage months risked an outcome with no impact. Consensus to wait until there can be more heft to this, including supporting programming. Wendt will report back to ASM chair with recommendations. Chancellor Blank indicated that VCFA is gathering information on existing programming on this topic and will forward that to OSOF once completed. The UC discussed the 7th year review ad hoc committee, which was charged in early 2015 and never met. All agreed that this is an issue which continues to be a concern, although not in an urgent way, and the best way to proceed is to contact the committee chair to determine best way to resuscitate the group and move forward on the charge.
The UC discussed a potential Senate resolution against religious discrimination. While Muslims are under direct threat, there are other (religious) groups also made more vulnerable by recent events and consensus is that it would be best to not address issues piecemeal. Smith will contact resolution author to explore expanding the document to cover other groups.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank, gamely powering through a bad cold, updated the UC on climate issues and related meetings (with Senate, community advisory board, NAACP, alumni, students), the recent Board of Regents meeting, and Homecoming. On the climate issue, Blank’s main concern is safety and addressing (increasing) student and staff concerns, fright, and anger. Blank also provided updates on several ongoing searches and discussed post-tenure review policy and process for Board of Regent approval.
Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charlie Hoslet updated the UC on staff changes, including upcoming hire of a new staffer to focus on good news. Hoslet updated the UC on ongoing statewide outreach by the chancellor and turned the floor over to Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Brand Strategy Tricia Nolan who spoke about Project72 and Reinvest in UW campaigns. Nolan distributed a 2016-17 Media Plan and explained its goals and elements. Ample discussion, including websites and audiences.
University Curriculum Committee chair Leslie Smith presented the committee’s annual report and summarized work over the committee’s short lifespan. Early years focused on credit monitoring of course proposals, which is still a big task, but the committee has been able to expand into talking more about policy, equivalences, and revising the course proposal submission form. The UCC now spends half its time reviewing proposals and half time on policy. Ample discussion followed, including about size and composition of committee, workload, and improving communications with schools and colleges.
Tom Broman moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. The motion was seconded and passed at 3:40 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved three tenure clock extensions and three dual role waiver requests. The UC selected one nominee and several backups for the search and screen committee for a new director of FP&M. The UC decided not to nominate a faculty member to the search and screen committee for the director of Purchasing Services. Broman moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 4:09 p.m., at which point Wendt adjourned the meeting.
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