Minutes of the University Committee
for July 21, 2010

 

 

 

The University Committee met on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 2:45 p.m. in Molinaro Hall room D135. 

Call to Order – Peggy James, Chair

The meeting was called to order at 2:45 p.m. by the Chair, Peggy James.  Also attending the meeting were committee members Rob Barber, Michele Gee and Stu Hansen, and incoming committee member James Kinchen.  Gary Wood was present as Secretary of the Faculty.  Chancellor Ford and Provost Brown were invited guests.

The announced agenda for this meeting was “Discussion with the Provost and Chancellor:  Summer Update on Campus Initiatives”.  The specific items were left to their discretion. 

HLC Reaccreditation

The Provost reported on preparations for the spring 2013 Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation process.  Several administrators and faculty members likely to be involved in the process attended an HLC preparation workshop to learn about the process.  They have been giving feedback to a plan and timeline.  The HLC review will focus heavily on the demonstration of student learning outcomes.  The Provost wants reaccreditation to be the result of a broad-based effort.  She plans to give updates at meetings of the Faculty Senate.

 

Academic Planning

 

A priority for the fall 2010 semester will be to work with the Committee on Academic Planning to finalize an academic plan.  Only UW-Parkside and UW-Green Bay have not submitted academic plans to the Board of Regents.  We are required to do so by December.  The academic plan will be used to inform any reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Related to the academic plan are our policies and procedures for academic program review.  Board of Regents policy calls for reviews of all majors on a 5-7 year cycle.  Many departments’ self studies and program reviews are delinquent and must be brought up to date to successfully achieve HLC reaccreditation in 2013. 

 

Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

 

An Interim Director for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development, working under the direction of the Provost, has been hired.  The student response team and department advising staff has been meeting individually with students in the program to help them complete their certification programs.  The next phase of rebuilding teacher preparation will be to develop a framework for new programs.  Planning new programs needs to be part of the academic plan and should involve community members and representatives from local school districts as well as UW-Parkside faculty and staff. 

 

Administrative Searches

 

Searches will begin in the fall semester for the following administrative positions.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development – national search

Director of the Center for Community Partnerships – national search

Senior Diversity Officer – national search

Director of University Advancement – national search

Athletic Director – internal search, Norm Cloutier will Chair.

The University Committee will recommend faculty to serve on these search committees. 

 

Mini-Grants to Support Strategic Planning Initiatives

 

The University Committee made recommendations on criteria for reviewing proposals for mini grants to support strategic planning initiatives.  The Chancellor and Provost will consider the recommendations and devise a process for reviewing proposals.   

 

Administrative and Academic Policy Review

 

The Chancellor’s and Provost’s offices are undertaking a review of administrative policies with a goal of revising where necessary.

 

Ombudsman

 

The creation of an ombudsman position or office for faculty, academic staff and classified staff was discussed.  There was general agreement that such an office would be helpful in resolving issues that might otherwise lead to formal grievances or complaints, or that would simply go unresolved.  This issue will be brought back for discussion in the fall. 

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Submitted by,

Gary M. Wood,

Secretary of the Faculty