Minutes of the Faculty Senate
October 5, 1999
PSF 2/99-00

The meeting was called to order by the Larry Duetsch, Secretary of the Faculty, at 3:35 in D137 Molinaro Hall. Other Senators present were Colston, Feldt, Gellott, Gregory, Hansen, Kavenik, Keating, Kinchen, Lyter, Mayer, Meyer, Mullen, Noriega, J. Olsen, Ostheimer, Richards, Ross, Selke, Van Dyke, Wallner, Wang, and Warren. Also present were D. Cress, A. Dudycha, T. Fossum, D. Sharp, R. Singer, and R. Stolz.

ELECTION OF CHAIR

Professor Duetsch called for nominations for the position of Chair for the current academic year. Professor Gellott nominated Professor Kavenik. There being no other nominations, Professor Kavenik was elected by voice vote and assumed her role as Chair.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Senate for April 20, 1999, were approved without objection.

REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR

Chancellor Keating briefed the Senate on the most recent developments in regard to the 1999-2001 State budget for the UW System. He described the budget proposal that has been recommended by the Joint Finance Committee as providing the best treatment of the UW System in many years. Significant features include: state funding to underwrite a tuition freeze for 2000-01; expanded Board of Regent authority to spend and set tuition levels without Legislative approval; increased funding for precollege programs; provisional funding to enable the System to absorb one thousand additional students; substantial improvement of retirement provisions; immediate health insurance coverage for new employees; and funding sufficient to provide a 5.2 percent pay plan in each year of the biennium.

Professor Mayer asked whether this campus has met its enrollment goals and, if so, what effect that would have on our budget. Chancellor Keating replied that the campus enrollment is more than 100 FTE over the target enrollment and that we could expect to retain 75 percent of the revenue generated beyond our target.

The Chancellor cautioned that we must now focus on improving our retention of students, keeping in mind that we already have relatively high per student costs compared to other UW institutions. To that end, he reported that he has formed (and will co-chair) an administrative committee that will examine our entire array of student services and develop recommendations. A consulting firm (Stamats) has been hired to assist in this effort. He noted that when we admit students we have an obligation to provide the kinds of support they need to be successful.

REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR

Professor Gellott reported on the most recent meeting of the UW System faculty representatives. She noted that President Lyall had been optimistic about the prospects for the 1999-2001 UW System budget and also noted that UW System administrators were quite concerned about three pending legal cases. One case involves allegations of discrimination as a consequence of affirmative action hiring practices at UW-LaCrosse; a second case (soon to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court) involves alleged infringement of student rights at UW-Madison as a result of the use of segregated student fee income to support organizations that some students oppose; a third involves allegations of discrimination against majority students at UW-Plattville that would result from implementation of their Plan 2008. Finally, Professor Gellott noted that members of the Board of Regents continue to be concerned about apparent variations in sick leave reporting practices among the UW institutions. Comparisons show that UW-Parkside has one of the lowest reported rates of sick leave taken.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

The Annual Reports of the following 1998-99 Standing Committees were accepted and filed: Academic Policies; Athletic Board; Course and Curriculum; Faculty Rights and Responsibilities; General Education; Graduate Studies; Lectures and Fine Arts; and Personnel Review.

NEW BUSINESS

ENTITLEMENT TO PLAN AN MS IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Committee on Academic Planning recommended the following:

Be it RESOLVED that an Entitlement to Plan an MS in Computer and Information Systems is approved, as described in agenda document 9 (revised version distributed at the door).

Professor Dudycha introduced the motion, noting that the planning committee would continue to involve faculty members is both Computer Science and Management Information Systems.

In response to a question from Professor Mayer about where the program would be housed, Professor Fossum said that it would be housed in the Computer Science Department, but that faculty members outside the department would participate in it.

Dean Cress asked whether students who enter the program with a limited background will be able to count transition courses toward the degree. Professor Fossum said that several transition tracks were being contemplated and that the current thinking was to allow just six transition credits to count.

MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote.

CREATION OF COMMITTEE ON ADVISING

The University Committee recommended the following

WHEREAS the faculty of the University of Wisconsin - Parkside attach great importance to sound academic advising, be it RESOLVED that a standing faculty committee on advising shall be formed, as describe in agenda document 10.

The Secretary of the Faculty drew attention to a misprint in Agenda Document 10--the first of the two general functions labelled (b) should be returned and the second should be deleted. Professor Gellott introduced the motion. In response to a question from Dean Cress about why the proposal required the appointment of professional advisors from the College and the School, she said that the intent was to ensure that full-time advisors were involved in the work of the committee.

MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote.

FACULTY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The University Committee recommended the following:

WHEREAS the faculty of the University of Wisconsin - Parkside wish to recognize and reward outstanding records of service by one or two of their colleagues each year, be it RESOLVED that the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty shall solicit nominations for this honor each February. Further be it RESOLVED that these nominations shall be reviewed by a faculty committee consisting of the people recognized for this award in the previous two years, two members of the University Committee, and the Provost or her/his designee (nonvoting). Further be it RESOLVED that this review committee shall forward its recommendation(s) to the Chancellor before the end of the Spring semester.

Professor Gellott introduced the motion, explaining that, because the selection process had never been formalized, no one had thought to initiate the process this past year. This resolution will ensure that the fine work that faculty do will not be overlooked again.

MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote.

REVISION OF UWPF 4.09

The University Committee recommended the following:

Be it RESOLVED that UWPF 4.09 is revised, as shown in agenda document 11.

Mr. Wallner expressed concern that there may be very few (perhaps no) members of the teaching academic staff who would be suitable appointees to this Committee. He MOVED TO AMEND 4.09 (1) (a) by striking the word "teaching." MOTION SECONDED by Professor Van Dyke. Professor Mayer noted that the amendment would not prevent the appointment of a teaching member of the academic staff. Dean Cress spoke in support of the appointment of a person with teaching experience to this Committee.

MOTION TO AMEND APPROVED on a voice vote.

Professor Gregory said that she felt that the list of areas of expertise in 4.09 (1) (e) may be inadequate and MOVED TO AMEND the list by adding the words "or other skills as appropriate." MOTION FAILED for lack of a second.

MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 4:50.