Minutes of the University Committee
for February 25, 2003

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 2:05 PM by Prof Peggy James, Chair. Present in addition were J. Buenker, J. Kinchen, D. Kummings, G. Mayer, and G. Wood; Provost Rebecca Martin, Bill Blanchard, Tim Fossum and Walter Feldt, Secretary of the Faculty.

Business - Conference with Provost Martin - UPC Budget Subcommittee

Provost Rebecca Martin was accompanied by Bill Blanchard, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment Services and Prof Timothy Fossum, a member of the University Planning Council's (UPC) Budget Subcommittee.

Provost Martin told the Committee that the UPC had created a Budget Subcommittee (UPCBS) in October 2002. With the agreement of the University Committee (UC), the faculty contingent on the UPCBS consisted of Profs Chris Evans, Tim Fossum, Sue Norton and Anne Statham.

The UPC Subcommittee (quoting from the charge) "has been formed to provide perspectives on key budget issues from faculty, academic staff, and classified staff, in the context of the broader framework of strategic planning that is vested in the UPC."

Some documentation, including the charge, membership, work plan, principles, review criteria and budget parameters were previously distributed to the UC and appended to these minutes. Attachment 1. Attachment 2.

The Provost said that she would attempt to keep the instructional portion of budget at a minimum of 56% of the state-supported UWP budget, which is the current proportion. The UPCBS statement creates a 50% minimum.

In the ensuing discussion, the role of the UPCBS was clarified. Provost Martin said that the Subcommittee would not be directly involved in identifying academic programs for possible cuts or elimination. The faculty Committee on Academic Planning (CAP) would have this task. Ultimately, the Chancellor will have to make budgetary decisions. He will do so only after full consultation with governance groups, the Provost said.

The Provost's office is currently assembling a set of data for each department, Provost Martin added. This data will be sent out to the
department chairs shortly for their reaction and suggestions. After spring break, CAP will begin to consider the data in preparation to making recommendations on reductions in the academic program area.

Provost Martin said that the proposed fall teaching schedule was being carefully reviewed to assure that associated expenses were justifiable. Some sections staffed by adjuncts will be eliminated, but far from all such sections. Elective sections will be the most likely for cancellation.

One problem, she stated, was that the final approved budget was quite uncertain. The governor has proposed a budget, but UWS has yet to issue directives on how to proceed and the legislative outcome is far from certain.

In response to a question, Provost Martin said that she is making every effort to continue with approved searches for faculty lines. As of now, we continue to try to fill these positions. Also Position Authorization Requests (PARs) for 2004-05 would be considered by CAP late this spring. By that time, she said, we should have a better idea of where the campus stands financially.

In response to another question, the Provost said that the current budget situation is probably not cyclic as has been the case in the past. She feared that the long-term prospects were for significantly reduced funding.

Provost Martin, responding to another question, said that she was hopeful that UW-Parkside would suffer less proportionately than larger campuses since we do not benefit by the economies of scale. For example, we must maintain all of the same services as larger campuses, though with less staff, and we cannot go beyond some minimum level.

The Committee thanked the Provost and Mr Blanchard. They departed at this point.

Evaluation of Administrators - The Committee reviewed drafts of the questionnaires that it planned to distribute concerning faculty perceptions of the performance of the Chancellor and Deans Cress and Wafa. Prof James reported that she had discussed the form with these administrators. Previously, it was agreed not to evaluated the Provost given here short tenure on campus.

It was agreed to distribute the forms to all members of the faculty and full-time teaching members of the academic staff, with some
differentiation to ascertain which group the respondent was part of.

It was agreed that Prof James would prepare a brief cover letter to accompany the form.

Prof Feldt said that he would attempt to get the survey mailed this week.

Appointment to the Technology Advisory Committee - The Committee appointed a faculty member to a vacancy on the
administrative Technology Advisory Committee.

Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 3:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Walter T Feldt
Secretary of the Faculty