University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Academic Staff Committee
MINUTES
January 22, 2004
Business N456, 12:00 p.m.
Present: J. Weitzer, Chair, V. Boswell, J. Dicker, R. Hall, J. Lenichek, J. McKenzie-Flynn, A. Melchior, M.
Mulroy, S. Schmidt
I.
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Joseph Weitzer, Chair.
II.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda
A.
The minutes of the December 4, 2004 minutes were approved as amended. Item VI.B:
R. Meadows spoke to the APBC regarding enrollments and making decisions about
programs.
B.
The minutes of the December 18, 2004 minutes were approved as distributed.
III.
Guests:
A.
Rita Cheng joined the meeting to bring the Committee up to date regarding NCA
accreditation process and Academic Staff Engagement Data: The NCA Accreditation
teams came up with a list of data they required. R. Cheng’s office sorted through all of
the requests for data and provided that information that was readily available to the
teams. Information that was not readily available was requested through web surveys
completed by deans, department chairs and center directors and staff. R. Cheng shared
copies of the information requested from deans and department chairs. Discussion
ensued regarding the need for active academic staff representation on the teams so
there will be sensitivity to the activities, impact and accomplishments of the academic
staff. R. Cheng stressed that although some teaching academic staff activities may be
missed, that data will be collected in the follow-up process. There was also discussion
regarding some of the requests for information made by the teams. The Committee
made some suggestions regarding other sources for data related to academic staff.
Committee also suggested that engagement and service in relation to Academic Staff
members be defined in the survey circulated to deans and department chairs.
B.
Monica Rimai joined the meeting at 1:00 to discuss updates on various policy revisions.
1.
Computer Policy Use: M. Rimai shared that her office had just received all of the
comments regarding the draft Computer Use Policy. Most of the comments had
the same issues including questions on who would be enforcing the policy and
the tone of the language in the policy. The draft policy will be revised and re-sent
to all governance groups.
2.
Administrative Investigations Policy: M. Rimai shared that the draft
Administrative Investigations Policy has not moved forward. She indicated that
any decisions regarding changes to the draft policy were up to the Committee.
Discussion ensued regarding whether the draft policy should be revised as
guidelines. M. Rimai shared that many academic staff are not aware of their
rights and the procedures for exercising those rights. The committee discussed
development of a policy so that governance is informed of the investigation and
can alert academic staff members to their rights. M. Rimai shared that
communication is now open again with the faculty regarding an investigation
policy. The Committee also discussed implementation of guidelines. Comment
was made that the guidelines can include language regarding repercussions that
may occur if guidelines are not followed. M. Rimai agreed to forward the
document to Chair electronically.
3.
University Facility Use: Committee shared with M. Rimai concerns regarding the
changes to the Facilities Use Policy. M. Rimai shared that because the policy
was developed during the recent budget crisis, the committee did not feel they
could mandate centralization because it was too drastic of a change.M. Rimai
shared that the policy is now in place but that it can be revised and improved
upon. Centralization can be added at a later date but that is not a campus
priority right now.
4.
Academic Staff Policies and Procedures: Interim Chancellor Greenstreet asked
M. Rimai to review the document. There were many questions and She has met
with V. Boswell to discuss and clarify items in the policies. M. Rimai did hare that
only a small category of items may be controversial with deans and division
heads. M. Rimai will report to the Chancellor within a week or two.
5.
Kenilworth Building Renovations: M. Rimai shared with the Committee that the
Building Commission and put off the decision for another month. Administration
is hopeful that things will move more quickly once the Building Commission has
approved.
6.
Police Chief Search: The Search committee is meeting and hopes to have
names to forward by Spring.
7.
M. Rimai reported that Andy Richards has accepted the position of director of
Business and Financial Services.
Chair invited M. Rimai to meet with the Committee on a more regular basis.
IV.
Old Business
A.
Senate Subcommittees - Update: Committee discussed the Senate Subcommittee
rosters and addition of interested academic staff to lists.
B.
Summary of AS Senate Issues (Dicker, Schmidt, Weitzer): S. Schmidt suggested that
the subcommittee meet one more time to refine the summary.
C.
Sponsorship of Foreign Hires for Academic Staff Positions: V. Boswell shared issue
concerning a department that wanted to hire a research academic staff person with
specific qualifications. Department followed the procedures for faculty sponsorship. S.
Andrews denied the request. Committee discussed parity issue between academic staff
and faculty. Sponsorship is done for faculty on a regular basis. Committee agreed to
look at the faculty policy and develop a parallel Academic Staff policy.
D.
Discriminatory Conduct Policy – Response: V. Boswell reported on difference between
the old policy and the new policy. She also shared specific concerns regarding deletion
of sexual harassment statement and a statement regarding expressive behavior and
protection of course content. UC has not yet endorsed the policy. Committee agreed to
look into the reasons for changing the policy and the issue of not including the Academic
Staff Governance processes in the procedures. V. Boswell will outline the issues
between the old and new policies and will email to the rest of the committee.
E.
AS Personnel Policies and Procedures: V. Boswell updated the committee on her
meetings with M. Rimai regarding the Policies and Procedures including general issues
such as referencing citations in Faculty Policies and Procedures. M. Rimai saw major
problem with Chapter 104.02 in relation to making fixed term academic staff probationary
after three years. J. McKenzie-Flynn reported that M. Rimai presented Chapter 104 to
deans as being problematic and that she would send the deans and outline regarding
specific problems. She also requested that the deans send any comments on the
Academic Staff policies and procedures to her.
F.
Other: None.
V.
New Business
A.
ASC Agenda - Mid-year Update (Weitzer): Chair updated the committee on progress of
issues on the committees calendar.
B.
Other: The Committee will be meeting jointly with UC on February 12 at 1:00 p.m. Chair
will get an agenda of UC’s items to the committee prior to the meeting. Committee
agreed to discuss issues concerning UC endorsement of the IRAS report and the faculty
and academic staff emeritus policies.
C.
Enrollment Management Working Groups: Chair urged committee members to sign up
for enrollment management working groups by emailing R. Williams.
D.
E.
F.
Animal Care and Use Committee Investigation Procedures: Chair shared policy with the
committee and asked that J. Dicker take it to the Category B Subcommittee for comment.
ASC Availability for Chancellor Candidate Campus Interviews: V. Boswell asked that
committee members forward to her their availability for attending campus interview with
chancellor candidates during the week of February 16, 2004.
Other: Chair met with Dean Meadows regarding the document on hiring practices and
reported that the dean was open to suggestions.
VI.
Team Reports/Committee Reports
A.
AS Reps: A. Melchior reported that Pres. Lyall will be working on governance and
contract issues in relation to the document the AS Reps put forward.
B.
APBC: J. Lenichek reported that J. Wanat attended the last APBC meeting and that he
will put out a new call for proposals for funding initiatives from units with a focus on
graduate initiatives. Funding will include on going and one time initiatives. J. Lenichek
also reported that the committee is becoming more attuned to the need for enrollment
management.
C.
Chancellor’s Search: None.
D.
Legislative: Joanne Barndt and Wendy Volz Daniels will be co-chairing the
subcommittee.
E.
Milwaukee Idea Trustee Council: None.
F.
Other: None.
VII.
Personnel Matters [Closed Session according to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1) (f)]: It was moved and
seconded at 2:17 p.m. to move into Closed Session for purposes of personnel matters pursuant
to Wis. Stats. Sec. 19.85 (1)(f). At 2:25 p.m., it was moved and seconded to rise from Closed
Session.
VIII.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m.