Chair’s Report for March 8,
2005
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.
1.
Initial Contract Period
2.
Faculty Transfer
3.
Communication Disorders Majors Name Change
1. Heard information germane
to committee and senate conversations about senate membership. If look at
percentage of academic staff that are instructional, UW-Eau Claire has largest
(61%) in system. Therefore, also smallest percentage of administrative and
professional academic staff (APAS). Other side is still decreased faculty
positions – no reward for being leanest in system. Seventy-two instructional
academic staff without faculty status are ones represented by just two
senators. Not so interested in numbers or proportional breakdown – question is
role in mission of university. According to state statute, faculty have certain
role, as do academic staff and students.
2. Handouts presented
during Open Forum would be more meaningful if had them to read and digest in
advance; could lead to more meaningful discussions.
Faculty Reps
Meeting via teleconference March 4. Next meeting in
1. Supporting the Budget:
(with Don Mash, Doug Bradley, and Freda Harris). Important to talk about trying
to maintain the governor's budget. Budget priorities: PAY PLAN - Gov
understands we are losing competitive position evidenced by his support of
domestic partner benefits and $$ for keeping our star faculty. System
recommending to Regents that the star fund be distributed to each of the campuses
proportionally for use in the difficult areas of retention. Also need to focus
on the pay plan. System working to get the state to do its fair share of
funding of whatever the pay plan will be. FINANCIAL AID – more than what
Regents requested. POSITIONS – identified more than 125 instructional positions
but reduced administrative positions by at least 200. SAVINGS – working with
DOA. Question if System can actually reach the noted goal for savings. Need
safety net in case some savings do not materialize from procurement,
administrative, and asset fund savings. Suggest that one looks at procurement
savings and assets management savings for 05-06 as actual cuts to the
institution because one has no idea if the savings goal will be met. 10% cuts
for administrative reduction due by April 1. Also each campus is required to
come up with its portion of $25 Million cuts from assets management and
procurement reductions. Suggest each campus Chief Business Officer explain
this. Suggest faculty talk about what will be the affect of the administrative
cuts on faculty and students. What can you do? Let your voices be heard at the
Joint Finance Hearings. Need powerful testimony that is personal. Contact local
legislatures via phone, letters, and email. Tone is important – try to be
positive. Legislature to begin voting on budget around April 12th. http://www.wisconsin.edu/budget/toolbox.htm
for 2005-2007 budget talking points.
2. Update on systemwide
administrative efficiencies: (with Ron Singer). In a recent joint meeting of
Provosts and CBOs, a process was developed for finding areas for cost
reductions. Draft of principles developed for systemwide look for cost
reductions. Brainstormed areas that adhered to those principles. Operational
efficiencies (outsourcing), system consolidation, regional consolidation,
staffing & hiring practices, technology efficiencies, regulatory
efficiencies, and academic programming. Planned next steps: (1) share results
of meeting with others; (2) refine and finalize process for exploring reduction
ideas; (3) share processes with Chancellors in April; (4) examine the ideas and
come up with recommendations; (5) present recommendations in fall for reducing
cost of operations. Campuses should ask for updates on the process from Provost
and CBO.
3. New policy on Gender
Identity and Expression: (with Christine Flynn Saulnier). Policy passed at last
Board meeting. List of suggestions distributed previously by email. Briefly
reviewed the list.
4. Student teaching
Evaluations: (with Pat Brady). Summary – teacher evaluations, while private,
still are subject to Public Records Law. Because students are not our peers
then there is not a sufficient relationship between faculty & students and
therefore the evaluation is not similar to a peer evaluation. Thus student evaluations
cannot be withheld. Will continue the conversation at a future meeting.
5. Assembly Bill AR8:
(Ward Churchill speech). Academic Free Speech issue. Need to pay close
attention to any action the legislature might contemplate concerning faculty
hiring and freedom of speech as a result of this controversy.
Board of
Regents Meeting – next meeting in
Legislative
Update - March 4 portions from: http://www.uwsa.edu/univ_rel/govrel/lupdate/index.htm
1.
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald and Rep. Dean Kaufert, Co-Chairs
of the Joint Finance Committee, announced plans to hold five hearings across
the state on Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget bill.
Closest hearing is: Monday, March 14, 3-8 p.m.: UW Stout.
2.
On March 2, UW System President Reilly briefed members
of the Assembly Colleges & Universities and Senate Higher Education and
Tourism committees on his efficiency and effectiveness initiatives, proposals
for consolidating some of the Madison-based administrative functions of
UW-Extension and the UW Colleges, and credit transfer between UW System and
WTCS. He was joined by WTCS President Dan Clancy, UW-Fox Valley Dean Jim
Perry, and Ted Sauve, vice chair of the Marinette County Board. Rep. Rob
Kreibich also presented his ideas on merging the two-year and four-year
campuses. To read President Reilly's testimony, please go to: http://www.uwsa.edu/president/speeches/2005/s050302.htm
3.
Sen. Alberta Darling has introduced SB 96, a bill to
allow baccalaureate or graduate degree granting institutions within the UW
System to operate or contract for the operation of a charter school with the
approval of the Board of Regents. For
more information, please see: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-96.pdf
4.
Sen. Judith Robson has introduced SB 98, a bill that
requires, with certain exceptions, all contractual services purchased by state
executive branch agencies to be performed within the
·
Assess
existing buildings to determine which ones have existing “gender neutral” or
single stall restroom facilities and re-label them as “gender neutral.”
·
Create
gender-neutral restrooms (single-stall, lockable unisex bathrooms) when all
buildings, including residence halls, are renovated.
·
Make
gender-neutral restrooms a part of all new buildings.
·
Contact
the
·
Create private changing facilities and single-person showers
(where showers are available) when recreation centers are renovated or
constructed.
·
Create single-person showers when residence halls are renovated or
constructed.
Health
Issues
Athletics
Housing
Based on my Gender Identity is
University Housing for me?
Choosing a place to live is a very important decision, and we know that
if your gender identity is not readily reflected when giving a preference for
where you would like to live, it is difficult to know what living options are
available to you. University Housing
staff are committed to working with you directly to make a housing choice that
works best for you. Contact the Director of Diversity Programs (or other
identified key Housing staff) to begin to work with University Housing directly
by May 1. (If you have an
Developed by Brett
Beemyn, Coordinator, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Services,
the Multicultural Center, Ohio State University and Eric W. Trekell, Director
the LGBT Campus Center, University of Wisconsin – Madison with assistance from
Katie Van Roosenbeek, Student Services Coordinator, The Pride Center,
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and Yves LaPierre, Director of the LGBT
Resource Center, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee