The University Committee met on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in Molinaro Hall room D135.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by the Vice Chair, Greg Mayer.  Also attending were committee members Herb Colston, Chris Evans, Peggy James, and Farida Khan. Dennis Rome was excused.  Gary Wood was present as Secretary of the Faculty.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of March 24 were approved as distributed.

Announcements

 

Greg and Gary met with UW-System administrator Stephen Kolison from the Office of Academic and Student Services on Thursday, March 19.  He informed us that the system administration is collecting data on program enrollments at all of the campuses and will provide that information to each campus administration, that the system administration is interested in having campuses develop three-year degree programs and that the Board of Regents is concerned with the high costs of textbooks.

Old Business

The committee continued its discussion of the faculty ombudsman.  There was general agreement that the way in which people seek information and advice when problems arise is haphazard.  There is no single person that everyone knows to ask.  The charge to the Secretary of the Faculty has been revised to include a statement indicating that he or she has the responsibility of providing information on policies and procedures and reviewing options for resolving problems.  Perhaps this is not widely known among the faculty.  The committee seemed to be coming to some agreement that the Secretary of the Faculty should be the source of information and advice and that the Secretary might refer people to mediators, or in some cases, advocates.  The matter was tabled for later discussion.

New Business

Linda Crafton, David Holmes, Megan Mullen, George Li, Norm Cloutier and Roby Rajan were recommended for appointment to the sabbatical proposal review committee.  Gary will ask if they are willing to serve.

A slate of nominees was selected for spring 2009 committee elections.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Submitted by,

Gary M. Wood, Secretary of the Faculty