University of Wisconsin–Parkside: Governance

Governance

Minutes of the Faculty Senate
for November 30, 1999
PSF 11/99-00

The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Professor Kavenik, at 3:35 in D137 Molinaro Hall. Other Senators present were Duetsch, Feldt, Gellott, Goldsmith, Gregory, Hansen, Keating, Kinchen, Lyter, Mayer, McKeever, Meyer, Mullen, Olsen, Ostheimer, Piele, Richards, Saffioti-Hughes, Schmidt, Selke, Snyder, Stevenson, Wallner, Wang, and Warren. Also present were D. Carr, D. Cress, L. Klaver, D. Nice, M. Schlecht, R. Singer, and R. Stolz.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Senate for November 2, 1999, were approved without objection.

REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR

Chancellor Keating noted that he has appointed the University Diversity Committee and that they will meet for the first time on December 2. He also noted that the Task Force on Enrollment Management is preparing recommendations that will promote retention. In regard to the pending UW System pay plan, he said that implementation is not expected to take place until the State has completed contract negotiations with its unions. In response to a question from Professor Kavenik, the Chancellor said that implementation of the plan will include retroactive pay from July 1. Professor Meyer expressed frustration about beginning the next round of merit reviews without having the pay plan in place.

REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR

Professor Gellott simply confirmed what the Chancellor had said about the pay plan.

OLD BUSINESS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DISCUSSION: WEAPONS CARRY POLICY

The discussion that was in progress on November 2 resumed. Because Professor Van Dyke (who chaired the discussion on November 2) was not present, Professor Kavenik called upon Professor Gellott to Chair the continuation of the discussion.

Professor Warren reported strong support for the current weapons carry policy among his students, his departmental colleagues, and female faculty members he has spoken with. He said it is regretable, but understandable, that the officers need weapons.

Professor Snyder expressed his belief that the current weapons carry policy is not needed, contending that the previous partial-carry policy would still be appropriate. He also asserted that the current policy is fundamentally inconsistent with the nature of a learning community.

Professor Kinchen restated his strong opposition to the current policy. He said that its proponents have failed to demonstrate need and that reports of drugs and weapons in the residence halls have continued despite the current policy. He said that it appears that the current policy was adopted in reaction to the increasing number of African-American and Hispanic students on campus. Finally, he lamented the impending departure of Chief Deane and said that his departure calls into question the departmental administration of this policy.

Professor Gregory said that the campus is a public place, similar in many ways to a Kenosha public library where armed police protection is routinely provided. Professor Saffioti-Hughes described that as a weak analogy and said that the university should provide a better role model. She expressed strong support for Professor Kinchen's views and countered Professor Warren's report of support for the current policy among women, saying that women who support the current policy have succumbed to the language of victimization. She said that reports of inappropriate behaviors in the residence halls should lead us to address those behaviors, not to arm the police.

Professor Snyder observed that no evidence had been presented to indicate that the current policy has had any effect on behaviors in the residence halls. He asked those present to consider whether the risk associated with a weapon being drawn inappropriately is less than the risk associated with a weapon being unavailable when needed.

There being no further discussion, Professor Gellott determined that there was little possibility of reaching consensus on the issues raised and the Committee of the Whole rose without report. Professor Kavenik resumed the chair.

NEW BUSINESS

NEW PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION

The Committee on Academic Planning recommended the following:

Be it RESOLVED that implementation of a B.S. in Sport and Fitness Management is approved, to begin in Fall 2000 as described in Agenda Document 2.

Doris Nice introduced the motion on behalf of the Committee and invited comments from Associate Vice Chancellor Singer.

In response to a question from Professor Feldt, Professor Klaver said that the program planners had encountered no opposition from other UW institutions. Asked by Professor Mayer about the staff that would teach in the program, Professor Klaver said that the program would draw on courses already offered in his department (HPEA) as well as in departments such as Business, Economics, and Political Science. Questioned by Professor Snyder, Professor Klaver described the careers that graduates of the program could aspire to.

There being no further discussion, the MOTION was APPROVED unanimously.

ENTITLEMENT TO PLAN

The Committee on Academic Planning recommended the following:

Be it RESOLVED that the request for an Entitlement to Plan a B.S. in Engineering Management is approved, as described in Agenda Document 3.

Doris Nice introduced the resolution on behalf of the Committee, noting that the recommendation was contingent on endorsement of the proposal by the Department of Business. Dean Stolz reported that the required endorsement had been obtained.

Professor Feldt said that this is a widely recognized program of study and that he believes there is a market for it among place-bound students. He expressed uncertainty about whether the program would seek accreditation but was confident that the program would not require additional resources. In response to a question from Professor Saffioti-Hughes, he said that evening and weekend formats will be considered during the planning process.

Professor Saffioti-Hughes expressed support for the proposal, arguing that it would attract students who have engineering jobs but do not have engineering degrees.