The University Committee met on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 in Molinaro Hall room D135.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:35 by the Chair, Peggy James.  Other committee members in attendance were Rob Barber, Herb Colston, Stu Hansen, Farida Khan and Lisa Kornetsky.  Gary Wood was present as Secretary of the Faculty.  Guests included DeAnn Possehl and Suzanne Swiderski representing the First Year Experience Committee; Denise Hancock, Michelle Pliml and Frank Trecroci representing the Teacher Education Department; and Matt Bieser, Jo Kirst, Ted Ruffolo and Jason Wolfe representing the Parkside Student Government. 

Approval of Minutes

 

The minutes from October 6, 2009 were approved with minor modifications. 

Announcements

Peggy reported on her most recent meeting with Chancellor Ford.  They discussed the College of Arts and Sciences Dean search and screen, strategic planning, and the agenda for the October 22 Faculty meeting. 

The Chancellor wants the search for an Arts and Sciences Dean to begin in the spring.  We should have an idea by then how the current college might be restructured.  Peggy requested a more transparent process in selecting the members of the search and screen committee than was used to select the members of the Provost Search and Screen Committee.

At the October 22 Faculty meeting the Chancellor will report on strategic planning and academic leadership searches.  The committee of the whole discussion topic will be academic restructuring.  With respect to academic planning, it was noted that there is still some confusion about the relationships among the various planning groups and committees. 

Old Business

Proposed Changes to the Charge of the Academic Achievement Assessment Committee (AAAC)

The proposal to modify the charge of the AAAC will not be placed on the October 20 Faculty Senate agenda.  The University Committee Chair will consult with the AAAC Chair after the AAAC meets for an update on the status of this proposal.

Linda Crafton’s term on the AAAC has ended and Vera Kolb has asked to resign.  Two new members need to be appointed.  The names of several possible replacements were suggested.  The Secretary of the Faculty will ask if they are willing to serve.

Dennis Rome has recommended that Carmel Ruffolo be one of the administrative representatives on the AAAC, which raised the question of her status as a faculty member with respect to committee service.  The UC members agreed that an individual cannot represent the administration on some committees and the faculty on others.  The Secretary of the Faculty will contact Professor Ruffolo to resolve this issue.

Resolution Regarding the Teacher Preparation Steering Committee

No resolution was brought before the committee.

Proposed Changes to the Membership of the First Year Experience (FYE) Committee

The current committee membership specifies equal numbers of faculty and non-faculty on this committee, which is not allowed under UWPF 4.01 and 4.02.  A resolution to add a faculty member to this committee will be on the October 20 Faculty Senate agenda.  A faculty member from the School of Business and Technology has already agreed to serve in this capacity.

The Faculty and Staff FYE co-Directors presented their rationale to further modify the membership of the committee to make the Advising, Learning Assistance and OMSA Directors ex officio members of the FYE committee.  This change would remove any ability of the Academic Staff Committee to appoint a member.  Further discussion of this matter will be taken up at a later meeting. 

New Business

Shared Governance Internships Proposal

 

The Academic Policies Committee has submitted a proposal to grant internship credit to students serving on some of the faculty committees including Academic Actions, Course and Curriculum, FYE, APC and CAP.  A number of questions were discussed, mainly related to the number of credits, the academic goals and content, the responsibilities of the academic advisor and the committee chair, and whether any departments have agreed to give the credit.

Given the number of questions, the UC advised that this item not be placed on the October 20 Faculty Senate Agenda as a resolution.  It will be on the agenda as an informational item and will be sent to department Chairs via the Deans for more feedback.  The proposal should also be reviewed by the five committees it would affect.

Proposed changes to the Admissions, Records and Student Information (ARSI) Committee

 

The Chair of the ARSI committee has asked that the Director of Advising be made an ex officio member of that committee.  Action on this request was delayed until further discussion with the Chair of ARSI confirms that this request was discussed by the committee.

Creation of a Task Force to Study On-Line Course Offerings

Interim Associate Provost Dennis Rome has asked the University Committee to endorse the creation of an ad hoc task force to study on-line course offerings.  The committee endorsed undertaking the study and creating the task force with the reservation that the proposed membership of the task force contains mostly people familiar with on-line implementation issues, and not many whose main concern would be the academic content of the courses.  They also noted that the Course and Curriculum Committee, the Academic Policies Committee and the Committee on Academic planning should be kept appraised of the work of the task force and be asked for feedback and comments on any policy proposals that come from the task force.

Agenda Approvals

 

The agendas for the October 20 Faculty Senate meeting and the October 22 Faculty meeting were approved. 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Submitted by,

Gary M. Wood,

Secretary of the Faculty