University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Academic Staff Committee
MINUTES
July 15, 2004
Business N456, 1:00 PM.
Present: Joseph Weitzer (Chair), Jon Lenichek, Sarine Schmidt, Jim Dicker, Rebecca Hall,
Annie Melchior, Jennifer McKenzie-Flynn, Mary Mulroy, and Victoria Boswell.
Absent: None.
I.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:08 p.m. by Joseph Weitzer, Chair.
II.
Approval of Minutes -- Approval of the minutes of June 3rd and July 1st was deferred.
III.
Old Business
A.
Memorandum of Understanding/Investigation Procedures. V. Boswell indicated
that the working group had reviewed the document provided by M. Rimai and felt
the document had conflicting and language. Boswell explained that the faculty
position was that faculty could ask for any investigatory help they wanted but that
the grievance/appeal process still began with peer review. She said that she sees
distinct problems with what Rimai had proposed, and indicated that she and
Mulroy will come back to the committee with an alternative proposal
B.
Conflict of Interest Policy (revision provided by UC) – Weitzer explained that the
revisions to the policy provide for an augmented Faculty Ethics Committee which
would be the reviewing authority. The Faculty Ethics Committee would be
comprised of the existing Ethics Committee along with academic staff
appointments (which could be done by the ASC). This modification essentially
removes the need to develop two additional committees as suggested in previous
drafts.
C.
Annual Report – J. Weitzer provided a revised copy of the ASC Annual Report
which incorporated comments as submitted subsequent to the last meeting. V.
Boswell moved to approve. Mulroy seconded. Motion carried. Weitzer asked
Nina to place the report on ASC web page until approved by the entire AS Senate.
IV.
Personnel Matters - J. Dicker moved to move into closed session in accordance with
Wis.Stat.19.85(1)(f). V. Boswell seconded. Motion carried. The ASC moved into
closed session at 1:26 PM. V. Boswell moved to rise from closed session. S. Schmidt
seconded. Motion carried. The ASC rose from closed session at 2:03 PM.
V.
New Business
A. Centralization of Development – J. Weitzer provided the ASC a copy of the letter
sent to Lucia Petrie outlining the items previously requesting in the personnel report.
J. Weitzer indicated that it was his intention to allow L. Petrie a reasonable amount of
time to respond and then go to Chancellor Santiago if necessary. V. Boswell made a
motion to adopt Weitzer’s strategy and if no response is received from Petrie by
August 2, 2004, then ASC will discuss the situation with Chancellor Santiago in
person. M. Mulroy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
B. AS Hearing and Appeals – V. Boswell indicated that the Hearing and Appeals
Committee has four cases coming and it is anticipated that three will go forward with
hearings.
C. Meeting Schedule – J. Weitzer indicated that he was able to get on the calendar of
Chancellor Santiago, but not until August 12th. It was suggested that the ASC cancel
the meeting scheduled for August 5th and meet on the 12th instead. After a brief
discussion, J. Weitzer indicated that the meeting of the 5th would be rescheduled for
the 12th and the ASC would also meet on the 19th off campus. V. Boswell agreed to
try to get BUS N440 for the meeting on August 12th. S. Schmidt asked if the ASC
had a specific agenda for its meeting with Chancellor Santiago. J. Weitzer said that
he felt it was important to let Chancellor Santiago share his ideas and concerns and
determine how the ASC would work to support the Chancellor’s initiatives.
D. Nominations for Provost Search and Screen – J. Weitzer indicated that he has
received an official request for nominees from the Office of the Secretary of the
University. The process needs to be started and Randy Ryder wants names to discuss
with Chancellor Santiago. He indicated that it was likely two academic staff would
serve on the committee and four names are being sought. A slate of nominations was
generated. V. Boswell moved to accept the final list of names generated. S. Schmidt
seconded. Motion carried.
VI.
Other
A. Committee Appointments/Nominations
1. Advisory Committee on LGBT Issues - Gloria Kopke, Justin Mayer, Carl Bogner,
and Lori Marks would be forwarded to the Provost.
2. APCC – Lori Fitzenberger (Advisor) and Kim Pietsch would be forwarded.
3. Honorary Degrees Committee –Michael McBain would be forwarded for the
appointment.
4. Extension Policy Committee – Judy Panich and Jeffrey Sachse would be
forwarded.
5. Research Policy Committee – Tom Moore and Michael J. Carvan would be
forwarded.
6. University Relations Committee – Theresa Franz would be forwarded.
B. Discriminatory Conduct Policy – M. Rimai has asked for suggestions regarding the
structure of the Committee and names of individuals who might serve on the working
group. The ASC agreed that committee should be a four-person committee with a
representative from each of the following: Academic Staff, ADA Advisory
Committee, Faculty, and Legal. ASC forwarded Tory Boswell as the AS Rep and
suggests John Erikson as member of ADA Advisory Committee with Pam Bolton as
an alternate.
C. Use of “Distinguished” title in Research Title – The College of Letters and Science
was seeking clarification regarding the use of the “Distinguished” title in the
researcher title. V. Boswell noted that the campus has been granted permission to use
the “Distinguished” title from system. S. Schmidt said that units have the power to
make decisions regarding the use of “Distinguished” and may establish their own
criteria and process for review provided the minima is consistent with that established
by System.
D. Administrative Governance and Chancellor Santiago – V. Boswell spoke about the
implications of Sona Andrew’s June 17th memo and then Monica Rimai’s “briefing”
to Santiago that had been posted on the Academic Affairs website. Rimai’s statement
was a large faux pas according to many on campus. We must work with Chancellor
Santiago to insure governance works for the campus and its mission.
E. Discussion of Minnesota Plan (health insurance) - UW Health Care System just
brought back their HMO, which appears beneficial for Dane County but does nothing
for the rest of the state. It may open the UW-Milwaukee to pursue other alternatives
as well as there is a pressing problem, that being that Milwaukee County is thinking
of disallowing Humana as a provider. J. Weitzer indicated that this is a real issue we
need to get behind. It would be beneficial to have a “Task Force “examine
alternatives and provide the Economic Benefits Committee some initiatives or
direction regarding the pursuit of alternatives. A. Melchior agreed to bring-up health
care plans as an issue for the AS Rep’s to take-up this year.
ASC agreed to create an ad-hoc committee called Health Options Task Force (HOT)
composed of Boswell, Melchior, Weitzer, Randal Ryder and Sammis White. This
Committee will begin by studying the Minnesota Plan. The goal of the committee
will be to consider alternatives to the current health care plan.
VII. Adjournment – S. Schmidt moved to adjourn. V. Boswell seconded. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Nina M. Jones, July 26, 2004