Minutes of the University Committee
for October 18, 2001

The Committee met at 8:10 in D135 MOLN. Members present were Walter Feldt, Susan Haller, Peggy James, James Kinchen, Don Kummings and Greg Mayer. Also present were Larry Duetsch and Gene Goodman.

The Committee approved the agenda for the October 30 meeting of the Faculty Senate. The request for authorization to implement the Master of Public Administration program was placed on the agenda, but it was agreed that it should be withdrawn if the Graduate Program Committee has not developed a clear recommendation of support by the time of the meeting.

The Committee briefly discussed the division of responsibility between the Graduate Program Committee and the Committee on Academic Planning, particularly in regard to weighing the budgetary implications of new program proposals. It appears that the 'consultation' called for between GPC and CAP in UWPF 8.05(5) may not be sufficient to yield informed recommendations and it was agreed that the Committee should consider revisions to UWPF 8 in the weeks ahead.

Interim Associate Vice Chancellor Goodman asked the Committee to advise him on next steps he might take to expand the number of sections of certain courses offered by the Department of Teacher Education this Spring. He said that the department has been unwilling to use more faculty time for regular course sections and more adjunct time for supervision of student placements, as he had asked.

After answering a variety of questions, the Associate Vice Chancellor left for another meeting, with assurance that advice would be conveyed to him by Professor James.

While the need to accommodate students in the program should be paramount, in this case the issue seemed to be how best to staff different types of classes in the program: student teaching (which requires that a faculty or staff person be assigned to supervise) and regular classes. The Committee agreed that determination of the most appropriate faculty teaching assignments should be a departmental matter that is monitored by (and discussed with) the dean, who might (if it is warranted) seek additional
resources to more fully address departmental needs. Professor James agreed to review the matter with appropriate parties.

Finally, the Committee agreed to reschedule its next meeting to October 30 at 8:30.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30.