Faculty Senate Minutes
for September 18, 2007
PSF 2/07-8

CALL TO ORDER:

The Faculty Senate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside met on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 In Molinaro Hall D 139.  The meeting was called to order at 3:40 P.M. by Prof. Evelyn Zepp, Secretary of the Faculty.

Senators present were Susan Funkenstein (Art), Scott Thomson (Bio Sci), David Wright (Business), Lori Allen (Chemistry), Theresa Castor (Communication), J. Ubaldo Quevedi (Computer Science), Michael Seredycz (Criminal Justice), Farida Khan (Economics), Joy Wolf (Geography), William Miller (HPEA), Laura Gellott (History), Tom Fournelle (Mathematics), Gail Gonzalez (Modern Languages), Ami Bouterse (Music), John Longeway (Philosophy), Jeff Schmidt (Physics), Linda Crafton (Teacher Education), and Skelly Warren (Theater Arts).  The Senator and Alternate from Psychology were excused.  English, Geosciences, Political Science and Law, and Sociology/Anthropology were not represented.  Also present were University Committee members Christine Evans, Stuart Hansen, Peggy James, Frances Kavenik, Greg Mayer, and  Dennis Rome.   The Chancellor John Keating, Acting Provost Gerald Greenfield were present.  The PSGA President was represented by Curtis Jackson.  The Academic Staff Committee Chair Luellen Breed was present.  Guests were Interim Associate Provost Doug DeVinny, Dean Donald Cress,  Profs. Pat Goldsmith, Kelly McFatter, Mary Kay Schleiter, Gary Wood and Leo Zaibert; other guests: Theron Snell, JoAnne Goodyear, Damion Evans, Traci Lee, and Mary Puerolla, adult student. 

 

ELECTION OF A CHAIR

Under UWPF 1.07(1) (a), the first order of business at the first Senate meeting of the Committee Year is the election of the Chair of the Senate.  The Secretary of the Faculty presides during that election. 

Frances Kavenik was nominated by Prof. DeVinny and the nomination was seconded.  There being no other nominations, nominations were closed.  Prof. Kavenik was elected unanimously, and immediately took office. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of April 17, 2007 (PSF 37/2006-7) were approved as distributed. 

 

REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR:

     Prof. Dennis Rome, Chair of the University Committee, noted that he had spoken to new faculty on the importance and privilege of faculty governance.  He also pointed out the importance for the University Council to be proactive rather than reactive.  He stated that UWPF Chapter 7 needs to be rewritten to eliminate discrepancies and for clarity.  He also stated that PRC should work with departments throughout the university to clarify tenure and promotion guidelines.  He also mentioned that a major goal for the university should be to allocate more resources to promote excellence—specifically through faculty scholarship and teaching and graduate school preparation for our undergraduates.  In short, UW-Parkside should be known for what the students take away from here, for faculty excellence, and for how it prepares people for work. 

 

REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR:

      Chancellor Keating stated that everyone is still waiting for the Legislature to pass the budget.  The Senate and Joint Finance committee versions are generous to us, with an increase in the base budget for the first time.  The Assembly version includes $125 million in cuts, with $2-3 million cut here.  Both the addition to Communication Arts and the Residence Hall addition (neither of which involves state money) were taken off the table by the Assembly.  Our representatives say we will get these buildings.  We are in a tough spot—we are ¼ through the spending cycle for the first year of the biennium, and have been spending as if we have the increases for retention which were built into our budget.  If we take a massive cut...  Faculty raises over the next four years were projected as 4.3 %; these are also being held hostage. 

 

QUESTIONS:

Written:

The following written question was received: What results came of last year’s so called “Hiring Committee”?

Chancellor Keating responded: The committee examined only faculty hiring.  We wanted to reinstate the principle that the academic side of the house controls the process, from the department to the  Provost, who is the hiring authority.    There were a lot of questions, which we wanted to resolve.

Prof. Gellott, member of the committee stated that the committee looked at process and procedure, not at CAP.

Prof. DeVinny noted that consistency had been a big issue.

Chancellor Keating noted that the committee’s report has been circulated to members; the final result will become policy.

 

Oral:

There were no other questions. 

 

ANNUAL REPORTS--2006-7 FACULTY COMMITTEES:

The report of the Committee on Teaching and Learning was received and will be filed. 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

There was no unfinished business. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

a) Discussion: Subscription to Turnitin.com (designed to identify students who plagiarize).

              Prof. Leo Zaibert presented the program.  Unlike Google, with this system, with every new client, the data base increases, as student papers are entered.

              Prof. Greenfield noted that student may object to this use of their papers.  He said he would follow up on the price quote for the campus.

 

b) Discussion: Topics for three open faculty meetings with Chancellor Keating and Interim Provost Jerry Greenfield.

              Chancellor Keating noted that these meetings are Oct. 2, Oct. 29, and Nov. 7.  They are intended as open conversations.  Questions should be sent to the U.C.

              Prof. Kavenik noted that anyone can send in a question—send e-mail or contact your U.C. member. 

 

c) Discussion: Proposed policy on Spousal Hires.

              Prof. Greenfield noted that there is not yet a written policy.  This was a two-part thing; some universities (Madison and Milwaukee) have a written S.H. policy.  We were approached by a department with concerns about the stability of the department, with actual and potential disruptions.  There was a faculty member, whom the department feared losing because that faculty member’s spouse was at another university.  This department had already had a position approved for this year, which the faculty spouse was qualified to fill.  This was presented to the Chancellor’s cabinet, which approved it in principle, since it was in the interest of both sides to do this.  However, the Cabinet was reluctant to commit to a specific policy.

              Prof. Funkenstein asked is gay and lesbian partners would be included.

              Prof. Gellott noted that this policy bears on practices we have, i.e. PARs and CAP, the work of the hiring task force.

              Prof. Mayer noted the potential conflict of interest issues within departments, especially small ones. 

              Prof. Greenfield stated that UWS has an anti-anti-nepotism policy, a specific statement about the inappropriateness of line authority in spousal situations (i.e. a Chair, when the spouse is up for tenure).

He stated it is difficult to imagine that this situation will never occur again, and noted again that the faculty member in question offered a real opportunity for the university.

              There was further discussion about line authority and domestic partnerships (Madison and Milwaukee are spousal policies only),.

              Prof. James noted her concern about writing a policy after something had already been done.

              Prof. Greenfield said he agreed, but that, in this case, when it occurred, it was very time sensitive.  Governance was involved as possible.  The approval principle is that such an action be in the interest of the university and the department.

              Chancellor Keating noted that faculty will control the hire; it is a judgment call which requires going to the Department.

 

d) Discussion: Position—Director of General Education and Academic Co-Director for the First-Year Experience.

              Prof. DeVinny noted the vital importance of this position for the mission of retention.  Prof. Allen has had an incredible work load.  The two position descriptions have been combined into one document; the position is now a 12-month position—the person is paid for summer work.  The position requires the person to teach two courses, somewhere within that time period.  The position description will go out soon.

              Prof. Evans noted her concerns about the disparate descriptions for the two Co-Directors for the First Year Experience.

              Prof. Greenfield stated the combination of Academics and Student Services is an unnatural alliance that higher education is trying to make more natural.

              Prof. Thomson asked about compensation for the department.

              Prof. Greenfield stated that there is certainly planning to compensate departments—with a Lecturer vs. adjuncts.  He noted that a lot of this is contingent on us getting the Success Initiative funds.

 

e) Discussion: Advising Center Task Force.

              Prof. DeVinny noted that the work of this Task Force has just begun.  The Advising Center took big hits in terms of staffing.  The task force needs to assess what is going on in advising throughout the campus.  There are hires that need to be considered.  There needs to be better communication between Admissions, Advising, and Student Records.

              Prof. Wright asked why students can’t get DARS reports.

              Prof. DeVinny noted it is not allowed, but is being considered.

              Theron Snell noted there continue to be glitches and DARS contain errors.

              Prof. Funkenstein noted that this disempowers students, whose responsibility it is to understand what they need for the major, etc.

 

A motion was made by Prof. Castor to extend the meeting time by 10 minutes.  The motion was seconded and APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

f) Discussion: Computing Issues.

              Prof. Greenfield noted the enormous amount of discussion which has taken place, and the frustration with change, especially when it is complicated.             The current Registrar inherited a mess, at the same time People Soft was introduced.  We have been way behind the technical curve, with outdated campus systems.  Ms. Durso was given a specific mandate—to bring our hardware up to median function. This means changing systems.

              Chancellor Keating noted that we were way behind.  We had to borrow $800,000 from System  at a time when we had no money, to try to catch up.  Each of the steps were rational when done.  We worked on the Administration first, so we could function as a university.

              Prof. Mayer noted that there have been computer system changes ever since he came to campus 15 years ago, but that the changes had never been as disruptive.  We have constantly been told that what you want to do can’t be done, even though it is done elsewhere.  It is not that we are resistant to change; it is that the changes have had such a negative impact.

              There was no sentiment among the members to extend the meeting any further. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 P.M.

 

 

Submitted by Evelyn Zepp, Secretary of the Faculty