Minutes of the University Committee
for September 22, 1999

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

Reporting on the status of Y2K preparations on the campus, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Services said that he is confident that we have dealt with all of the significant contingencies that we are able to foresee. It is his opinion that the communities around the campus are also well prepared. His only concern is that there may be faculty members who have not taken appropriate steps to safeguard experiments that are in progress at the time the new year arrives. He urged all faculty/staff members who have concerns relating to Y2K issues to refer to the Information Services website: http://www.uwp.edu/info-services/y2k.cfm. After answering questions from Committee members, Mr. Goldesberry and Dr. Peischl left the meeting.

The Committee reviewed and approved appointments to an augmented Criminal Justice Executive Committee and the Facilities Planning Committee.

Carol Saffioti-Hughes joined the meeting as the Committee began its consideration of three questions recently addressed to them by the Chancellor and Provost concerning appropriate ways of celebrating accomplishments. As to whether it would be possible to grant emeritus status to a retiring academic staff member, the Committee agreed that the applicable faculty governance policy (PSF 7/80-81) only authorizes executive committees to seek this status for retiring members of the faculty "...in recognition of meritorious achievement during a long period of service...." Members of the Committee expressed the opinion that it would not be appropriate to grant this recognition more freely and argued against seeking a change in the existing policy. The Secretary of the Faculty was directed to investigate whether this practice varies among the UW institutions.

The second question concerned whether a "distinguished emeritus" status might be conferred on a faculty member who has continued to make significant contributions to the institution while in retirement. Members of the Committee expressed no support for the idea of creating this new status, arguing that it would be more appropriate to present a special award to such a person at a special event hosted by the Chancellor. Committee members also felt that this way of commemorating the person's work would be more likely to generate publicity and good will.

The third question concerned whether a special title might be conferred on a faculty member holding the rank of Professor in recognition of a long period of sustained productivity at that rank, perhaps a title such as University Professor. Members of the Committee expressed support for this idea, but argued that the title should only be conferred in exceptional cases. Some felt that the Provost should periodically invite nominations for this honor, and that nominations should be examined by a specially constituted review committee rather than by the Personnel Review Committee. The Committee agreed to seek the advice of the Personnel Review Committee and the Faculty Senate before formulating a specific proposal in regard to this matter.

John Hanson and Andrea Simpson joined the meeting to discuss matters involving University Relations. The Executive Director of University Advancement circulated a draft list of fundraising priorities and invited faculty input to the further development of those priorities. He noted that funds will need to be sought to obtain new space for the performing arts and for science, even though we have yet to raise the funds required for the addition to our Sports and Activities Center; similarly, we will continue to seek funds for unrestricted scholarships at the same time that funds are sought to support the initiatives called for in our Plan 2008. Professor Saffioti-Hughes called for assigning a higher priority to faculty development. Dr. Hanson reminded the Committee that, because our alumni base is not as mature as that of other institutions, the challenge we face is greater. He asked for assistance in developing and presenting the case for support of the liberal arts and members of the Committee assured him that the faculty was eager to help.

The Director Alumni Relations noted that the new UW-P Alumni Directory is now available in the Library and in the Dean's offices. Copies can be purchased from the publisher for $70. She also noted that special alumni organizations have been formed for Alumni of Color, Alumni of Business, and Alumni of English, and offered to be of help in bringing together other groups of alumni.

Dr. Hanson and Ms. Simpson left the meeting.

The Committee briefly reviewed items that had been submitted for the first meeting of the Faculty Senate. These included an Entitlement to Plan an MS in Computer and Information Systems, a proposal to create a Committee on Advising, a procedural resolution regarding faculty distinguished service awards, and a proposal to create an Institute for Community Studies and Action. Pursuant to UWPF 8.02, the Committee agreed to seek the advice of the Committee on Academic Planning on the last of these items before scheduling the matter for consideration by the Senate.

The meeting adjourned at 10:05.