1) Call to Order

              The meeting was called to order at 3:40 P.M. by Doug DeVinny, Chair.  Also attending were members Chris Evans, Frances Kavenik, Mary Lenard, Dennis Rome and Anne Statham.  Guests were Linda Busha and William Streeter.  Evelyn Zepp was present as Secretary of the Faculty.

2) Minutes

              The minutes of the meeting of November 7, 2006 were approved as distributed.

A motion was made and approved to move directly to New Business.

5) New Business

              a) Discussion with William Streeter and Linda Busha on Criminal Background Checks

     Policy

              Prof. DeVinny noted that a resolution from the Senate on this has been requested.  The latest draft is to go to UW-System by Dec. 1.

              The discussion focused on cost factors (a central budget for criminal background checks in HR), the elements left up to the Institution vs. dictated by System (there are already a number of background checks that are required by law; more are simply being added), the time pressures of searches, and concerns about the process and how records are interpreted (cases which has been dismissed etc.).  Ms. Busha noted that the tripartite group making a final decision will have access to System legal counsel and the police chief.  The decision of the “Hiring Authority” being final, the U.C. felt that there needed to be consultation with faculty (on faculty hires) before this final decision.

              Ms. Busha and Mr. Streeter left the meeting at 4:17 P.M.

              The committee formulated language to address the concern with consultation with faculty on faculty hires. After employing unit or department insert: “in the case of a faculty, teaching academic staff or adjunct hire, the Department Chair or Program Director will be included.”  The motion to adopt this language was approved.  Prof. DeVinny volunteered to send the wording changes on to Mr. Streeter

The committee moved back to the original agenda.

.3) Announcements

              Prof. DeVinny announced the receipt of an anonymous donation of $400 to be applied toward a “First Friday” campus social activity.  Dates suggested were January 26, February 23, March 23, and some time in April.  Time would be 3:30 or 4:00 P.M.; place would be the Faculty Lounge.

4) Unfinished Business

              a) Follow-up on Faculty Meeting

              There was a consensus that there should be a public gathering of information on the percentage of merit assigned to service across the campus.

              There should be an effort to invite junior faculty and accompany them to such meetings.

              Rewards for service need to take place at the Dean/Vice Chancellor level, especially if some departments advise faculty not to do service.

              The faculty suggestions made for Chapter 7 are a good example of how some things would not be in place if not for shared governance.  It would be good to document such examples.

              b) Meeting time for Spring 07

              The only time that appears to be available is on Fridays.  Eleven to one was suggested.

c) Latest Chapter 7 document

              Chapter 7 is now in its final draft.  There will be a meeting in Madison on Thursday with students, academic staff and faculty to look at the final draft.  Any final comments from U.C. members should be e-mailed to Prof. DeVinny before Thursday. 

5) New Business

              b) CAP: issues of committee workload and reporting sequence (postponed)

              The heavy workload of the committee is one issue.  Some previous problems are being rectified and the process is more transparent.  The 7 criteria that CAP is discussing sound like a promising way of clarifying why some positions are approved and others are not.

6) Miscellaneous Business

              The Senate schedule of the 5th, 9th, and 13th weeks of the semester might be something to look at in Spring.

7) Adjournment

              The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 P.M.

Submitted by Evelyn Zepp, Secretary of the Faculty