Minutes of the University Committee
for January 18, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 2:05 PM by Prof Gary Wood, Chair.
Present in addition were Professors Sylvia Beyer, Douglas DeVinny, Susan Haller, James Kinchen and Paul Mohazzabi, members; and Prof Walter Feldt, Secretary of the Faculty. Provost Rebecca Martin attended the early part of the meeting.

Business:
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Spam Reduction
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The Committee had a brief discussion with Provost Martin concerning the reduction in the receipt of unwanted, unsolicited e-mail (aka spam) in recent days. Provost Martin said that Computer and Network Services had initiated some spam blocking in recent days after the matter was discussed at a Provost's Cabinet meeting on January 12.

Dean for Community Engagement
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Provost Martin said that considerable discussion had gone into redefining a position once held by the retired Esther Letven. It was agreed to focus the position on developing and managing the community-based interests of the faculty. The new position would be a Dean for Community Engagement.

Several units of the Center for Community Partnerships would be relocated, for example, the Small Business Development Center would report to the dean of the School of Business and Technology.

She also reported that she had consulted with Profs Wood and Feldt several weeks ago concerning the search process for the dean and they advised that since this was not an academic dean position, the search committee need not have at least 2/3 faculty (see UWPF 4.19 ..
http://uwp.edu/staff/gov/facpp/chap4.cfm#419).

The Provost said that Prof Dirk Baldwin (Business) had agreed to chair the search and screen committee and that Profs Ann Statham and Chris Evans had expressed interest in serving. The Committee suggested an additional faculty member.

The composition of the committee would be 4 faculty members, 2 members from the Center for Community Partnerships (1 managerial, 1 classified staff), 1 administrator, 1 UW-Extension dean, 2 community members (1 from Kenosha County, 1 from Racine County) and 1 student. The membership thus totals 11 members.

Provost Martin departed the meeting at this point.

Dean of the School of Business and Technology
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Provost Martin said, that in view of the timing of Marwan Wafa's resignation as Dean of the School of Business and Technology, she thought it best to appoint an interim dean for the 2005-06 academic year and to have a search process initiated later in the spring.

She also said that she would consult with the faculties of the departments in the school and with the University Committee before appointing an interim dean.

University Committee Election
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Prof Feldt said that it was time to start the University Commitee election process. This election is done earlier than the regular spring elections in order to more easily arrange released-time for the committee chair for 2005-06. The procedure is governed by PSF 40/90-91 as amended by PSF 30/00-01. See http://uwp.edu/staff/gov/senate/psf9091/psf40.cfm, section 14.

Prof Feldt said that he would send out a notice to the faculty requesting that they submit nominations for two seats on the University Committee.
Self-nominations are allowable.

Secretary of the Faculty Recruitment
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Prof Feldt said, that, while he has not finalized his plans, it is his current intent to retire this May. He suggested that the Committee consider starting recruitment activities for a Secretary of the Faculty.
He agreed to prepare a draft vacancy announcement for the Committee's consideration at its next meeting.

University Planning Council Vacancy
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Prof David Holmes has expressed a desire to vacate his seat on the University Planning Council. Several potential nominees were discussed and Prof Feldt was asked to contact them serially to ascertain their interest in being nominated.

Student Code of Conduct
-----------------------

Prof Feldt agreed to contact Dean of Students Steve McLaughlin to see what progress he has made at formulating a presentation concerning an appropriate code of conduct for students, in accordance with UWS and UWP policies and procedures.

First Friday Reincarnated
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Prof Feldt reminded the Committee of a practice wherein the University Committee hosted an event called First Friday, originally intended to recur on the first Friday of every month during the academic year. The social event included appetizers and liquid refreshment and was funded, at least in part, by UC members. The intent was to provide an informal social event allowing faculty to meet and chat.

One issue with previous incarnations was the cost. Prof Feldt agreed to investigate possible cost-saving measures with Aramark, the campus contractor for food services.

It was agreed to try to schedule a First Friday on Friday February 11, in conjunction with the conclusion of the advising mini-conference and the Small Print show currently showing in the Art Gallery.

Adjournment
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The meeting adjourned at 3:20 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Walter T Feldt
SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Kenosha, WI 53141-2000
Voice 262.595.2483
Fax 262.595.2607