May 19, 2014

 

Present: Bernard-Donals, Farrar Edwards, Fair, Meyerand  and member-elect Wendt

Absent: Cook, Petty

The meeting began at 1:15 p.m.

1. Minutes of the meeting of May 12, 2014 (Document 130496) were approved as disseminated.

2. Dorothy moved (Michael Bernard-Donals second) to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss personnel matters at 1:22 p.m.

Meeting reconvened in open session at 1:55 p.m.

3. Provost Deluca reported that he believes that the new search infrastructure has been successful.   He and the UC then discussed the possible implications for faculty autonomy and governance if such an structure were be put in place at the College and Schools level.  Next, he provided a general outline of how the transition the new provost will take place.

4. Chancellor Blank reported that there will be ongoing conversations about alcohol policy; especially regarding emerging data about incoming freshmen and alcohol use in the Dorms.  Michael indicated that issues  the UC will be wanting to address in the next few months are: 1) the consequences of drawing down the UW’s reserves to the level the university has done; implications for faculty when the budget working group develop an approach and possible options; and the issue of PROFS dues deduction in faculty pay checks.

5. Chief Diversity Officer Patrick Sims discussed issues that have arisen since the Faculty Senate passed the “Downs’ Amendment” adding language to the preamble of the Framework for Diversity at the May 5, 2014 Senate meeting.  As amended the “Downs’” language calls into question the entire document and sends a very mixed message about the UW’s commitment to Diversity. Three different versions of the Framework have been approved by various governance groups.  Both ASEC and the Ad Hoc committee are opposed to the amendment.   The UC does not support the amendment either.  Since the amended language was in the preamble section, the UC recommended that implementation of the Framework’s recommendations should continue to move forward.  It was also agreed that a meeting with Don Downs, Michael and Patrick should be held to discuss removing the amendment at the October 2014 Senate meeting.

6. Motion to reconvene back in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 4:20 to discuss follow-up questions from today’s meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

William A. Heiss, M.S.S.W.

Interim Secretary of the Faculty