Minutes of the University Committee
April 3, 2001

The Committee met at 2:05 in 262 CART. Members present were John Buenker, Walter Feldt, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, Greg Mayer, and Carol Lee Saffioti-Hughes. Also present were Don Cress and Larry Duetsch.

Dean Cress presented a series of questions about implementation of UW-P Faculty Workload Principles that establish a formal teaching expectation of 21 credit hours per year (PSF11 95/96). What is the nature and frequency of the called-for review of individual teaching loads expected to be? Who is to keep track of whether UW-P teaching loads are comparable to those of other UW System comprehensives, as the document calls for? To what extent and in what manner have
differential workloads for individuals been enacted? If "documents from relevant national associations" are to bear on the determination of teaching loads, what are these documents and how have they been incorporated into departmental policies? The Dean said that these substantial questions must be answered if we are to explain the decline in average credit hours of group instruction by UW-P faculty from Fall 1996 (11.0, fourth lowest among the comprehensives) to Fall 1999 (9.1, lowest
among the comprehensives).

Members of the Committee speculated about the reasons for these apparent changes in workload over this period, but could provide no definitive explanation of the data. Dean Cress invited further comment at any time and left for another meeting.

The Committee agreed on the agenda for the April 17 meeting of the Faculty Senate [later rescheduled to April 19 to minimize conflicts with a Provost interview], setting consideration of the old and new business before the reports of the Chancellor and the University Committee Chair.

The Committee agreed on procedures that will be followed in reviewing the four nominees for this year's Faculty Distinguished Service Award.

The Committee unanimously approved the May/August graduates that are certified by the Office of the Registrar.

The Committee agreed on additional nominees to complete the slate that will soon be announced for Spring all-Faculty elections.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25.