Minutes of the University Committee
for December 15, 1999

The Committee met at 8:40 in 262 CART. Members present were Walter Feldt, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, and Lee Van Dyke. Also present was Larry Duetsch.

Professor Gellott reported on the most recent meeting of the UW System Faculty Representatives. She said the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, David J. Ward, presented a strong case for greater State support of the UW System in order to promote economic development and diminish the "brain drain" the State now experiences. He emphasized that State economic growth has lagged, particularly in relation to neighboring Minnesota. Professor Gellott also reported that plans are in the works to "target" the annual competition for sabbaticals, by encouraging applications that are related to specific teaching themes without denying awards to deserving applicants who have other teaching-related objectives. Finally, she noted that a task force will soon be appointed to develop proposals related to the treatment of instructional academic staff throughout the UW System.

Professor Kavenik described the work of the UW System Committee on the Status of Women (of which she is a member) and said that the group will make a formal report to the Board of Regents in February. She said their report will especially call for targeted initiatives that can be expected to strengthen the representation of women in leadership roles throughout the UW System.

At the request of Professor Duetsch, the Committee held a preliminary discussion of the nature of the Steering Committee that Chancellor Keating would soon need to appoint to plan and guide the self-study process in preparation for our accreditation review by the North Central Association in 2002.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00.