Minutes of the University Committee
for September 9, 2008
1) CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Dennis Rome, Chair, at 3:35 P.M. Also attending were members Chris Evans, Herb Colston, Peggy James, Farida Khan, and Greg Mayer. Evelyn Zepp was present as Interim Secretary of the Faculty.
2) MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of April 15 and May 14, 2008 were approved 4-0-0..
3) ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prof. Rome stated that the first Faculty Representatives meeting is Sept. 19th.
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) UC meeting with Interim Chancellor Lane Earns
Prof. Rome announced that a meeting with the Interim Chancellor has been scheduled for September 30th. The major topic of discussion will be strategic planning. Prof. James will present her data on the evaluation of administrators. Profs. Rome and Mayer will talk about personnel issues. Prof. Evans will present the issues regarding student conduct. The Committee discussed the problem of compensation for Chairs with the Deans about two years ago; the Interim Chancellor has stated that directors, chairs and other people who are taking on large service roles are not being adequately compensated and he would like to investigate what changes we might employ to change the present condition. Prof. James recalled the Spring discussions on CAP and on faculty being part of the decision making process. Prof. Rome stated that the Interim Chancellor appears to be pro shared governance and the he (Prof. Rome) is on the Interim Chancellor’s calendar for regular meetings.
b) Chancellor Search and Screen Committee meeting with System Consultant
Prof. Evans reported that she and Prof. Rome and other governance constituents met with the consultant, Steven Portch, hired by UW-System to investigate the recent failed chancellor search and that Steven Portch had also then met with the whole search committee. The consultant said over and over that he was here to look at system policies for searches, if they need any amendment. Nothing further can take place until the consultant’s report has been received by System.
5) NEW BUSINESS:
a) Discussion of Secretary of Faculty position (the Secretary excused herself from this part of the meeting)
Members decided that an announcement of the position needed to be sent out. Prof. Zepp will remain as Interim Secretary of the Faculty until a new Secretary of the Faculty is appointed.
b) New Policies 36, 45, and 54
Discussion of these matters was postponed until the meeting after the Senate.
c) Creation of new committee for Student appeals
Discussion of this matter was postponed until the meeting after the Senate.
d) Approval of Senate Agenda for September 16, 2008
Two items suggested as agenda items under New Business were removed until the UC can consider them (revision to Assessment Committee’s charge and new policies 36, 45, and 54). A third item was revised (! + 3 Plan with Gateway), and two items were added—a presentation from the Student Government president on the Vote Rally and an information presentation ONLY (no vote) on the proposed Sustainable Management Online Degree. The Agenda was then approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
e) Updates of GE Director and Director of First Year
There have been about 38-39 applications for the Director of First Year position. No one has applied for the General Education Director.
f) Election of Vice-Chair (?)
Prof. Evans confirmed that she wished to resign from the position of Vice-Chair.
Prof. Mayer was nominated and was elected unanimously.
g) Dean Cress: Augmention of GEOS Department Executive Committee by
Paul Mohazzabi (John Skalbeck sabbatical year)
This proposal was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
h) Replacement of Evelyn Zepp on the General Education Committee (Dana
Oswald—HU—was first runner-up)
This proposal was approved by a vote of 6-0-0.
6) MISCELLANOUS BUSINESS
a) Prof. Evans announced she wished to resign from PRC.
b) A notice needs to be sent out seeking a sponsor for the Oct. First Friday
7) ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 P.M.
Submitted by Evelyn Zepp, Secretary of the Faculty
