Academic Staff Assembly (ASA)
Minutes
DRAFT
MINUTES
ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY
Monday, 9 February 2004
272 Bascom Hall (3:30-4:30 pm)
Vice Chancellor Darrell Bazzell called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
AUTOMATIC CONSENT BUSINESS
The minutes of the 12/8/2003 Academic Staff Assembly meeting were approved.
Committee Reports
Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) - Bruce Beck, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/asec.html
1. In a two-page memo in January, ASEC asked the provost to discontinue
the publication of instructor appointment types in the university course
timetable. ASEC is challenging the assumption that the instructor appointment
type (faculty, academic staff, etc.) is an indicator of the quality of
instruction. After consulting with the University Committee, the provost
decided he is in agreement with ASEC's position. The provost has now asked
student governance to provide input on this issue as well. ASEC members
Robin Kurtz and Bruce will attend the February 17 meeting of the Dean
of Students Advisory Board to present ASEC's position on the use of instructor
categories.
2. The University Committee of the faculty is reviewing the frequency of academic staff holding both a teaching appointment and a high-level research appointment within the same academic department. Members of the UC think appointments combining instruction and research should be reserved for faculty. To allow academic staff to assume a similar role could represent a circumvention of faculty tenure. The UC is considering proposing new rules to prohibit academic staff appointments from being structured to include both teaching and research except on a temporary or incidental basis; otherwise faculty appointments should be used instead.
3. During recent monthly conferences of the Council of UW Academic Staff
Representatives, George Brooks, UW System Associate Vice President of
Human Resources, has been describing some of the outcomes of the ongoing
collective bargaining process for state employees. After the current cycle
of collective bargaining has been concluded, the UW System Compensation
Advisory Committee may be asked to consider recommending a pay parity
plan that would extend additional compensation and benefits to unrepresented
employees, including the academic staff.
" Reduced health insurance contributions
" $250 lump sum
" additional 10 cents an hour ($208 base adjustment)
" floating holiday
4. Linda Newman has announced she will resign from ASEC on 1 July 2004, in anticipation of her retirement from the university in 2005.
5. The Faculty Senate recently voted to expand eligibility for the honorific working title of research professor to include emeritus professors who otherwise satisfy the review criteria. The Senate also approved the title be limited to academic staff members whose position is a least 50% FTE funded from nonstate GPR sources.
6. ASEC is reviewing academic staff participation on graduate degree committees. Presently, qualified academic staff may serve as an additional (or "extra") degree committee member. The issue under discussion is whether there are circumstances when academic staff could be qualified to serve as regular degree committee members.
7. Academic staff representatives to the search and screen committee for the new L&S dean are Tori Richardson and Sandra Arfa.
8. ASEC has been reviewing draft legislation to enable collective bargaining within the UW system. This legislation has not actually been introduced as a bill in the state legislature. The purpose of ASEC's review is simply for background information in the event the legislature should take up the issue of collective bargaining enabling legislation for faculty and academic staff.
Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee (CEBC) - Bill Steffenhagen
reporting
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/cebc/index2.htm
CEBC and the campus benefits office are co-sponsoring an information session
on February 26 from 9:30-11:30 am in the On Wisconsin room at the Red
Gym. All academic staff are invited to attend. No registration necessary.
CEBC is working on a brochure that will explain avenues to promotion and raises. It will be mailed to all academic staff later this spring.
A subcommittee of Bill, Jim Pavelko, Ann Lamboley, and Emuye Asfaw has been involved in a pilot program to add some accountability to the promotion process at the school/college level. HR representatives from each school and college are to report to the Academic Personnel Office either promotion for qualified academic staff or provide reasons why the promotions were not granted.
Members of CEBC met with Dick Laufenberg and Kathleen O'Rourke-Benjamin to look at the differences in benefits of unclassified versus classified staff. In some cases, it may be worthwhile to ask for parity. For instance, faculty and academic staff are the only group of state employees who cannot reclaim sick leave credits after a three-year gap in service. All other state employees have a five-year window.
The state Group Insurance Board is considering a change to Income Continuation Insurance to allow better coverage for those with salaries over $64,000. Currently, the coverage is only up to a maximum of 75% of $64K per year.
Districting and Representation Committee (DRC) - Anne Gunther, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/comopp/drc.html
Nominating Committee - Laurie Mayberry, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/comopp/nc.html
The Nominating Committee is currently working on slates for the standing
committees. Soon they will begin recruiting for members of campus-wide
shared governance committees. Anyone with a particular interest should
contact Laurie or Colleen. (A complete list of committees and descriptions
is on the Secretary of the Faculty website at http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/secfac/governance/FPP/Chapter_6.htm#602)
The Nominating Committee has posted a notice in Wisconsin Week to announce an opening on the Athletic Board. This committee membership is unique in that a résumé and cover letter are required, and there is an interview process involved before a member is selected. See http://www.news.wisc.edu/9426.html for the announcement.
Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee (PPPC) - Ann Wallace, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/pppc/index.htm
Professional Development and Recognition Committee (PDRC) - Daña
Alder, co-chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/pdrc/index.html
Barry Robinson has replaced Read Gilgen as co-chair of the PDRC since
Read is now on ASEC. Excellence award packets are being reviewed, and
winners will be announced by the end of February.
Graduate School Committee on Academic Staff Issues - Deborah Faupel,
reporting
Deborah mentioned that the Grad School got a late start in establishing
its CASI. With the help of Esther Olson and Wilt Sanders, initial by-laws
were written to define procedures for election of members. Elections were
held in November of 2002, and members held their first meeting in April
2003. Since then, they have finalized the by-laws, set up subcommittees,
and established a web site on the Grad School server with templates for
future reports. The committee would like to thank Esther and Wilt for
their efforts in getting the CASI off the ground.
Campus Childcare Committee, Lynn Edlefson
Lynn noted that there are eight childcare centers on campus serving 500
children each week. The key issue for childcare is affordability. Student
governance offers some assistance, and there are six grants available
for classified staff. Currently, academic staff have no specific programs
to help defray childcare costs. A program for in-home care when children
are sick is in the works. Lynn is a strong advocate for childcare program
accessibility in the long-term building plans for the campus.
Academic Staff Mentoring Program - Barry Robinson, co-chair
Barry announced that the deadline for applications for both mentors and
mentees is February 13. He encouraged Assembly members to participate,
particularly as mentors. Forms were mailed to all academic staff in December
and can also be found on the web at http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/mentor/Mentoring_flier2.pdf
ASPRO - Esther Olson, president
Esther invited all Assembly members to stay after the meeting today for
a reception in room 260 Bascom to mingle with ASPRO board members and
lobbyists. She noted that due to the "graying" of the academic
staff, retirements are causing ASPRO to lose membership. ASPRO is interested
in bringing in younger staff from all around the state who are concerned
with academic staff issues.
The ASPRO board had a breakfast meeting with Regent president, Toby Marcovich. The board has now met with all the new Regents except for Jesus Salas. Regent Marcovich talked about the search committee to replace System president, Katharine Lyall, which will include academic staff members.
A bill currently before the legislature has to do with health care premiums for rehired annuitants that requires a one-third appointment. This bill is so poorly written that ASPRO will oppose it until it can be redone. The bill has been tabled.
ASPRO is in favor of a bill that would allow removal of a cap on annuity payments for a return of less than 5%. New technology would allow tracking and posting of any amount.
Mark Meyer (D - La Crosse) is retiring from the state Senate. He has been a good friend of the university and academic staff. ASPRO will keep tabs on the election for his seat.
New Business
1. ASPP Change: Appeals Committee membership
The Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee offered the following
motion:
To increase the size of the Academic Staff Appeals Committee from nine
to twelve (Academic Staff Policies and Procedures 9.02).
The motion passed unanimously.
2. ASPRO by-law changes
Tabled until March Assembly.
Old Business
None
Vice Chancellor Report: Darrell Bazzell
Darrell mentioned some of the building projects projected for the coming
years. They include an addition to Grainger Hall to house the graduate
programs that will cost $40 million (with $20 million from a single donor).
It will replace the current structure at 905 University Avenue.
Two new dorms are planned, one at University Square and another on Dayton Street. to replace Ogg Hall, which will be torn down to make way for the Murray Street corridor. The AW Peterson and Extension buildings will also be demolished to allow for the Elvehjem Art Museum expansion.
A new committee is being considered that would include classified union participants and nonrepresented classified staff to discuss policy issues on campus that affect them.
In response to a question about future building initiatives, Darrell responded that childcare and handicapped facilities will be taken into consideration.
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen McCabe
Secretary of the Academic Staff