Minutes of the University Committee
for January 29, 2002

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 2:05 PM by Prof Peggy James, Chair. Present in addition were Profs Walter Feldt, Susan Haller, James Kinchen, Don Kummings and Greg Mayer; members.

Business

Charge to Workload Committee

The Committee discussed a draft charge to the Workload Committee that it created. See discussion with the Committee (below).

Position Authorization Requests - Procedure

Interim Provost Jerry Greenfield met with the Committee to discuss the current procedure for handling position authorization requests (PARs) from the academic departments. The procedure currently involves the departments clearing their requests with the office of Equity and Diversity which checks for an adequate recruiting plan. Requests are forwarded to the appropriate dean
who then prioritizes the requests and presents them to the Committee on Academic Planning (CAP). This Committee generally interleaves the sets of requests to form a prioritized combined list. CAP seldom changes each individual dean's priorities. Prof Greenfield said, to the surprise of all, that only the CAP recommendation is forwarded. It was agreed that Prof Greenfield would check faculty legislation (see, for example, http://uwp.edu/staff/gov/facpp/chap8.cfm) and that he might propose an improved process. At that point, he will consult further with the Committee.

Workload Committee - Discussion with Committee Members

Profs Sylvia Beyer, Penny Lyter, Norm Cloutier and Jim McKeever, members of the Special Committee on Faculty Workload created by the University Committee at its last meeting, were present to discuss the charge to the Committee. First of all, UC members expressed concern about how UWS generated numbers now showed that faculty workload had dropped substantially over the past few years. The Workload Committee was specifically asked to check into the way that numbers were calculated. It was suggested that the Committee meet with Interim Associate Vice Chancellor Gene Goodman and talk with UWS Associate Vice President Ron Singer, who preceded Prof Goodman. This investigation should include a comparison with other campuses.
In an attempt to implement the Faculty Workload Policy in an equitable fashion (see http://uwp.edu/staff/gov/senate/psf9596/psf11.cfm), the Committee was asked to address issues of consistency in determining workload among the departments, including consideration of internships, student teaching, studio courses, individual lessons, etc.
After reviewing the Policy, the Committee should consider providing guidelines to the departments and deans that provide for a fair
application of the policy, i.e. a return to a 'nominal' 21 credit hour load. Ideas for improving the process would also be welcome.
The UC also asked the Committee to provide an interim report at the Early Spring Meeting of the Faculty Senate scheduled for February 19. A target might be to address the UC's first concern mentioned above. Other members of the Committee are Profs Doug DeVinny, Christine Evans, Angeline McArthur and Siegfried Christoph.

Calendar Formula Flaw?

The Committee briefly discussed an e-mail from Registrar Richard Lott stating that the current calendar formula apparently provides that classes end on Monday, December 16 in fall 2002, with common section final exams scheduled for Saturday, December 14, before some classes conclude, and other exams being scheduled for Monday, December 23. The Chair asked Prof Mayer to check the faculty legislation that established the formula to see if, indeed, this problem exists.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Walter T. Feldt,
Secretary of the Faculty Emeritus