Senate
update
1. Important
links to agendas, minutes, Chair's Reports and other sites of interest are available
on the Senate web site: http://www.uwec.edu/Usenate.
Senate Chair’s Report will be available on this site by noon on the day of the Senate
meeting.
2. During
debates, Senators may speak only twice to any motion or amendment. Each speaking term is
limited to 10 minutes. The Chair will add names of those wishing to speak to a speaker's
list upon recognition.
Faculty
Reps Meeting – March 30
1. Budget
Update – System working on request to Governor to add more positions (see Legislative
Update). Language requesting more evening/weekend courses was pulled out and included in
the non-fiscal related lists, which should make the request easier to defeat. If
additional money becomes available, the System’s first priority is the Economic
Stimulus Package, second is compensation, then third is requesting a reduction in the
proposed $6 Million base cut.
2. Follow-up
to March Regent’s Education Committee Program discussion – Based on the
Regents’ discussion, seems that new programs should have a focus on collaboration and
use of distance education; include convincing market research; and be consistent with the
campus mission. Based on the Regents’ discussion, two programs that were in the
pipeline are now on hold: a Master’s program at Stout and a Software Engineering at
LaCrosse.
3. Reps
had a brief discussion about the Instructional and Research Academic Staff titling report.
Concerns were expressed: erosion of faculty responsibility; no faculty say for lateral
moves and choice of new title; shifts balance from faculty to administration. Some reps
urged other campuses not to support the report.
4. Research
with Human Subjects – New regulations for those conducting research that is federally
funded will significantly change the workload of campus IRBs.
5. Teleconference
with Regent Olivieri – Spent time discussing the use of digital technology. He urged
each campus to look at how to utilize technology in teaching and learning. Sees the use of
digital and electronic technology in a way similar to how one thinks of books – not
as an add-on, but as an essential part of how we are going to teach in the future. Such
technology allows some students to do things that could not be done before. Discussion
then shifted to expectations of faculty concerning scholarship. Olivieri is interested in
finding ways to give recognition and credit for tenure for the creation of worthwhile
products. Believes products have enormous value – example: simulations add to
knowledge and are a valuable academic product.
1. 2001-2003
Capital Budget – Building committee endorsed plan for long-term maintenance
2. University
of Wisconsin E-University – language in proposal by Governor to create Department of
e-government. Differences between E-University (decentralized, learning-based) and
E-Government (centralized, transaction-based) discussed.
3. Alcohol
and Drug Abuse policies presentation included, among others, Chancellor Mash, Bob Shaw,
and alum Bill Keeton – Academic Affairs Director of United Council. Current
statistics and proposed revisions to UW System Policy on the use of alcohol on system
campuses were given. Regent Brandes stated she was deeply embarrassed and concerned at the
depth of the problem. Regent Olivieri didn’t like the fact the statistics presented
were not campus specific. He was also concerned that the proposed policy language was not
strong enough using “may wish to” rather than “shall direct”. Regent
Olivieri then stated he wanted to direct the chancellors to take action – holding
them accountable in future performance reviews. Chancellors responded: campuses vary in
their student populations and thus must address the problem in different ways; complex
issue requiring research and noted that funding for such research is not readily
available; stressed the need to involve the community in seeking solutions; emphasized the
importance of keeping the focus on the consequences, not the drinking itself.
Regents’ Education Committee deferred action on proposed revisions to System policy
until the May meeting.
4. After
hearing the report on orientation programs and information provided to students on sexual
assault and sexual harassment, Regent Olivieri requested information on the impact of the
activities cited in the report – “how do we know we have made a
difference?” Interim Senior Vice President Beaver said he would convene a group of
Chief Student Affairs Officers and other interested parties and charge them with
determining how to assess the impact of what campuses are doing.
5. During
the Full Board meeting on Friday, Regent Gottschalk presented a motion (not on the agenda)
to reaffirm the principle of Freedom of Speech “Whatever may be the limitations which
trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should
ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth
can be found.” Motion passed.
Legislative
Update
1. The
Department of Administration (DOA) has sent a letter to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC)
requesting three modifications to the Governor's budget bill on behalf of the UW System.
First, DOA recommends adding 165 FTE positions to the authorized number to implement
budget initiatives. Second, the department recommends delegating the salary setting
authority for UW System Senior Executives to the Board of Regents. Finally, DOA recommends
exempting the UW System from the newly created Department of Electronic Government. These
recommendations still need legislative approval.
2. April
10, 10 a.m., Room 417 North, State Capitol - Assembly Health Committee. The agenda
included discussion of Assembly Bill 69, which allows individuals to use unused sick leave
credits to purchase long-term care insurance under WRS.
3. April
11, 10 a.m., Assembly Parlor, State Capitol- Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee. The agenda includes discussion of Assembly Bill 243, which prohibits the Board
of Regents of the UW System to administer any state financial aid to students who are
required to register with the Selective Service and have not done so. Audio of this
hearing available at: www.legis.state.wi.us/insession
4. April
17, 2001, Room 411S. State Capitol - Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee. The
committee will arrange for a video conferences so students, teachers and staff from the
Universities of Eau Claire, LaCrosse, and Green Bay will be able to testify. LRB 2254:
Rep. Kreibich, Sen. Grobschmidt Allows for grandparents to receive same tax incentive as
parents and guardians under the Ed Vest Wisconsin College Savings Program. LRB 0103/3:
Speaker Jensen, Rep. Rhoades, Sen. Meyer, Sen. Darling. The bill would create a
nonrefundable income tax and franchise tax credit for businesses that pay tuition for an
individual to attend a university, college or technical college. The credit will equal 50%
of the tuition paid by a business. If the individual's taxable income is less than 185% of
the federal poverty level the year prior to participation in the program, the credit
increases to 75% of tuition paid.
5. New
Legislation - SB 125: Income Continuation Coverage. Senator Risser (D-Madison) and
Representative Musser (R-Black River Falls) proposed legislation that would eliminate the
current requirement that a state employee must exhaust his or her sick leave credits
before becoming eligible for income continuation insurance benefits. Referred to Committee
on Universities, Housing, and Government Operations.
Announcement
The UW Day exhibit will be set up on the stage of the Council Fire Room during Student Research Day, Monday, April 23. Senators are invited to take a look at the exhibit when attending Research Day.