Meeting of the Faculty Senate
Executive Committee
327 Graff Main Hall
07 August 2014
2014-2015 Members:
Bradley Seebach, Chair
Martin Allen, Vice-Chair
Janet Kirsch, Secretary
Natalie Eschenbaum, At-Large
Biology
Computer Science
Chemistry & Biochemistry
English
Members Present:
Allen, Eschenbaum, Kirsch, Seebach
Guests/Consultants:
Heidi Macpherson, Provost
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 PM.
1.
The minutes from 7/16/14 were approved.
2.
Provost announcements:
a. International Development Fund (IDF) Grants: The provost's office has been
responsible for evaluating and awarding IDF grants to faculty whose scholarship
and teaching require international travel. In the past, the process of applying for
an IDF grant has often created additional work for the applicants (many of whom
have simultaneously applied for a Faculty Research Grant for the same proposal)
and the proposals have been difficult to assess (due to the broad scope of the
submissions). The Provost asked for the SEC's support in the following:
i. The process of disbursing IDF monies should be split into three different
areas: (1) Faculty Research Grants (awarded by the Faculty Research
Committee), (2) Programmatic grants (awarded for faculty led programs
abroad by groups like the International Education Committee and the
Office of International Education), and (3) awards made by the Deans'
Council.
ii. The same limits that have applied to FRG awards in the past would still
apply (i.e. no more than 3 FRG awards in 5 years), but there may be a
possibility of raising the current monetary cap on an individual award (i.e.
from $3350 to $4000. Note that this would most likely decrease the
number of awards given).
iii. Faculty who have questions regarding proposals for international travel
should refer to the provost’s website for more information.
The SEC was in favor of these changes, and the Provost will discuss these
proposed changes with the conveners of the appropriate committees at the start of
the semester.
b. Anti-Bullying Task Force: The Provost is currently reviewing a report from this
group. It will be brought to the SEC and Faculty Senate soon.
c. International Scholar Housing: In the past, UW-L has placed visiting international
scholars in one of two university-owned houses. These houses have been deemed
unsuitable for this service and have been sold. Anyone who needs to make
arrangements for international scholar housing should direct questions and/or
concerns to the Provost's office.
d. Report to UW-System on Inclusive Excellence: The Campus Climate office has
submitted their report on Inclusive Excellence to UW-System at President Ray
Cross's request. Their feedback should provide us with future direction for the
program.
e. The Provost will report to the UW Board of Regents on UW-L's Fast Track
program and MOOC at their meeting on 8/23/2014.
f. The SEC would like to see a presentation in Faculty Senate from the
administration about the Overload Policy some time this year. The Provost
indicated that her office is currently working on a presentation.
3.
Meeting schedule:
a. The Faculty Senate will meet at 3:30 PM in 325 Graff Main Hall on the following
dates during the 2014–2015 academic year:
i. Fall Semester: 09/04/2014, 09/18/2014, 10/02/2014, 10/16/2014,
11/06/2014, 11/20/2014, and 12/04/2014.
ii. Spring Semester: 01/29/2015, 02/12/2015, 02/26/2015, 03/12/2015,
03/26/2015, 04/02/2015, 04/16/2015, 04/30/2015, and 05/07/2015.
4.
Committee nominations: The SEC filled vacancies in 2014–2015 Faculty Senate
committees.
5.
General committee charges: These will be completed and sent to the conveners and
the members of the SEC soon.
The meeting adjourned at 2:57.
Submitted by J. Kirsch