Minutes of the University Committee
for February 21, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 3:40 PM by Prof Doug DeVinny, Chair. Present in addition were Profs Chris Evans, Frances Kavenik, Mary Lenard, Anne Statham and Dennis Rome, members, and Prof Walter Feldt, Interim Secretary of the Faculty.

Business

Certification of December 2005 Graduates

The Committee approved the following motion …

Resolved, that the University Committee, acting on behalf of the Faculty, recommends to the Board of Regents that the students certified by the Registrar to have completed the requirements of their respective degrees in December 2005, in accordance with their degree summary (or the equivalent in the case of graduate students), be congratulated for their achievements and be awarded their degrees.

 Reaction to Proposed UWS Chapter 7

 Prof DeVinny said that he distributed a draft of UWS Chapter 7, a proposed addition to the UWS Administrative Code, that deals with procedures for dismissal of faculty in special cases. The Board of Regents is asking for campus reactions.

The proposal was created in response to a few cases at UW-Madison involving faculty members charged with felonies and, in some case, imprisoned, who are continuing to collect their salaries while their dismissal cases are being considered through UWS Chapter 4.

Several faculty members had responded to Prof DeVinny’s distribution and UW-Platteville and UW-Colleges have responded through their Senates.

Common objections included a presumption of guilt and a lack of due process.

Prof DeVinny agreed to ask the assistance of Prof Greg Mayer to put together a draft response for consideration by the Faculty Senate at its March 21 meeting.

Vacancy on the Facilities Planning Committee

The Committee agreed to appoint Prof DeVinny to a seat on the Facilities Planning Committee. The seat was formerly occupied by Prof Feldt.

University Committee Election

Prof Feldt reported that he now had six nominees for the University Committee election. He agreed to send e-mails to the chairs of departments in unrepresented electoral divisions suggesting that they consider submitting nominations. Following this, he agreed to start the nomination-at-large phase, followed by the balloting.

Admissions, Records and Student Information Committee Chair

Prof Feldt reminded the Committee that the Admissions, Records and Student Information Committee still lacked a chair. Prof DeVinny agreed to seek a volunteer from among the faculty membership.

Transition – Secretary of the Faculty

Prof Feldt said that he had an agreement with Prof Evelyn Zepp, Secretary of the Faculty – Designate, whereby she would take over duties after spring break with Prof Feldt continuing to assist through at least March.

Personnel Review Committee Voting Eligibility

The Committee briefly discussed whether members of the Personnel Review Committee who are in the same department as a candidate, should vote when PRC considers the candidate. It was agreed to refer this to the PRC for its consideration.

Upcoming University Committee Meeting Plans

The Committee agreed to meet next in one week, on Tuesday, February 28. This meeting will be brief and the only agenda item will be the approval of the agenda for the March 21 meeting of the Faculty Senate.

The next meeting, on Tuesday, March 7, might involve a discussion with Provost Martin.

On March 28, the Committee tentatively talked of inviting Associate Provost Greenfield to discuss the initiatives planned by the First Year Council.

 Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Walter T. Feldt
Interim Secretary of the Faculty