Minutes of the University Committee
for May 15, 2009
The University Committee met on Friday, May 15, 2009 in Molinaro Hall room D135.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by the Vice Chair, Greg Mayer. Also attending were committee members Herb Colston, Peggy James and Farida Khan. Gary Wood was present as Secretary of the Faculty.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from April 28 and 30, and May 4, 5 and 7, 2009 meetings were approved with minor modifications to the May 5 minutes.
Announcements
Farida reported on the most recent meeting of the Chancellor with University Governance representatives. The strategic planning leadership team has been divided into six subgroups to address the six strategic directions. Questions about the directions are being placed on the web. The campus community will be invited to respond to the questions. A deadline of June 2 was mentioned.
There have been no specific directions from UW-system on how to implement the sixteen days/two years furlough. The Chancellors discussed prorating this to 12 days for nine month employees. The committee discussed the possibility of simply closing the institution for the required number of days rather than a more haphazard approach of individual classes being cancelled by instructors.
Old Business
1. The position description for the new Director of Assessment position was reviewed. Greg noted that one of the responsibilities, “leads the implementation, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation of the goals and objectives of instructional programs” comes very close to conflicting with faculty responsibility for curriculum and instruction. This concern was communicated to Associate Provost Doug DeVinny.
2. The proposed UW-System guidelines for making textbooks more affordable were reviewed. Except for the federally mandated inclusion of ISBN numbers and prices in the course catalog none of the other items are mandates and, in fact, reflect what many faculty members already do.
3. The committee selected a number items and issues to include in a report to the new chancellor. Gary will write a draft report for the committee to review.
New Business
1. Potential members of the search and screen committee for the new Director of Assessment position were reviewed.
2. The committee recommended faculty for appointment to the 2009-2010 appointed faculty committees.
3. The Committee on Advising will be asked to review policies and procedures regarding the Advising Excellence Award and to bring the award to the Faculty Senate for approval. Unlike the teaching, research and service award, the advising award was created by the Committee on Advising and not by a resolution of the Faculty Senate. There are now guidelines regarding how many such awards may be given each year.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Submitted by,
Gary M. Wood,
Secretary of the Faculty
