Proposed Senate Structure Fact Sheet
Background: In December 2012, the UW Board of Regents approved the University Staff Governance Policy that was
to be implemented July 1, 2013. The scope of this policy was that classified staff at each UW institution would
structure themselves in a manner that they determined would provide participation in shared institutional
governance. Two informational meetings were held where several members of CSAC, Bob Tabor/Director of
Personnel, and Katie Jore/Associate Vice Chancellor for Personnel were present to provide answers and additional
information to classified staff. A survey was distributed to determine classified staff structural preference in shared
governance (i.e., standalone body or unified in varying degrees with the current academic staff and faculty
governance structure). Despite the survey showing a preference of a unified shared governance structure, there
were concerns expressed about the process feeling rushed and that more specifics were needed to assure equal
representation on Faculty Senate. In spring 2013, the July 1, 2013 implementation date was legislatively postponed
to July 1, 2015.
On September 6, 2013, the UW Board of Regents approved shared governance rights to classified staff effective
immediately. With this and the concerns from last year in mind, CSAC co-chairs and members worked diligently with
university leaders and committees to explore possible avenues to honor the governance rights granted classified
staff. This also provided an opportunity to explore how university internal communication might be improved, how
to address the workload of governance, and operationalizing the university strategic plan.
View the Board of Regents September 6, 2013 Executive Summary here:
http://www.uwsp.edu/csac/Review%20Documents/EXECUTIVE%20SUMMARY%20Classified%20Staff%20Gov.%
209-13%20FINAL%20Approved%209-6-13.pdf
This is the proposed Senate structure resulting from the efforts of an ad
hoc University Personnel System Committee made up of members from all categories of
employment:
What would the proposed unified shared governance structure mean for classified staff?:
•
•
Classified staff would have EQUAL representation in decision-making for university-wide matters affecting
everyone on campus (e.g. parking policies, smoking policies, the University Strategic Plan, etc.)
Facilitate greater collaboration between all employee groups (academic staff, classified staff, and faculty).
The 12 seats in shared governance would be completely separate from the Classified Staff Council - CSC (formerly
Classified Staff Advisory Council – CSAC).
o The Senate will address matters that affect ALL students and employees, (including classified staff),
whereas the CSC will discuss and address matters affecting ONLY classified staff.
o Members of the CSC would also have the option to serve on the senate (but would not be required to,
and vice versa).
o The current Faculty Senate spends a majority of their time discussing curricular matters. Moving forward
in the proposed unified structure, classified staff would not be part of the curricular discussions; faculty,
per Wisconsin statute, would have complete purview over the curriculum. In the proposed unified
structure, curricular matters will be discussed in the Joint Academic Affairs Committee (JAAC).
o The proposed structure would allow more involvement for classified staff on various committees in a
more substantial capacity. Classified staff can become involved in the decision-making process on
campus through participation in the Senate, the Classified Staff Council, the University Affairs
Committee, the University Personnel Development Committee (UPDC), or the Information Technology
Council. In addition, there are several subcommittees on campus which require classified staff
participation.
o Chairs from the Academic Staff Council, Classified Staff Council, and Faculty Council would have voting
rights on the Senate.
•
PLEASE NOTE: Shared governance is separate and entirely different from union representation. The issues
voted upon and decisions made by the Faculty/Staff Senate will not affect or interfere with union
represented rights. This is because the governance relationship with the university does not result in labor
contracts or agreements. Instead, governance provides a formal way for employees to participate in
developing university policy, including personnel policy. Through governance, classified staff can make
recommendations, consider proposals, and raise concerns to UW System institutional leadership, primarily
related to personnel matters, similar to current faculty and academic staff involvement.
•
In the proposed Senate structure, there are 37 voting senators (12 academic staff, 12 classified staff, 12
faculty, and 1 college dean). The issues voted upon will be sent to the chancellor for review and final/ultimate
approval.
•
If the proposed Senate structure is adopted, CSC will suggest a new name for the Senate. It can no longer be
named the “Faculty Senate” since ALL work groups will be represented. We also cannot name it the
“University Senate” because the Student Government Association (SGA) will remain a separate entity and the
term “university” is all-encompassing. If anyone has an idea for a new name for the proposed Senate
structure, please email or contact CSC at csac@uwsp.edu.
•
Classified staff will not be joining the current Faculty Senate. This will be two
governing bodies merging together to form a brand new Senate; one with equal
representation for all employee groups.
What would a standalone classified staff governance structure mean for classified staff if adopted
and implemented?:
The CSC will be the governing body for classified staff, separate from the Faculty Senate that will be made up of
academic staff and faculty. CSC members may or may not have an opportunity to collaborate with the other employee
groups (or vice versa) before making decisions. CSC’s final decisions will be proposed to the chancellor for approval
separate from the Faculty Senate’s proposals. The chancellor will then have two separate “votes” on each issue to
review and make the final decision on. If CSC proposes something different from what the Faculty Senate proposes,
the chancellor will need to choose.
http://www.uwsp.edu/csac/