MINUTES
ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY
Monday, 11 December 2006
272 Bascom Hall (3:30-4:15 pm)
Provost Patrick Farrell called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm.
AUTOMATIC CONSENT BUSINESS
The minutes of the 11/13/2006 Academic Staff Assembly meeting were approved.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) – Read Gilgen, chair
http://acstaff.wisc.edu/asec.html; https://lists.wisc.edu/read/?forum=assembly
From System, UWS 7/11 on discipline for tenured faculty and academic staff with indefinite appointments, who have been charged with a felony, was passed by the Regents. The policy on background checks may undergo some further refinements but will be a requirement for all new hires as of May 1, 2007. The Regents passed a compensation package for a 5.23% increase in each of the 2007-09 year of the biennium. They would like most of the funding to come from the state and not from tuition. The Regents also asked for a $10 million retention fund for faculty and for raising the Category A maxima. The LAB report was submitted to the legislature, but sick leave provisions are the same for legislators as for university employees, so there may not be an immediate call for change. Rep. Steve Nass has been named as the chair of the higher education of the Assembly.
Professional Development and Recognition Committee – Lisa Jansen, co-chair
http://acstaff.wisc.edu/pdrc/index.html
Excellence Award nomination packets are due on January 26, 2007.
Of the 67 professional development grant applications received, 37 requests were granted. With the grant money used up and another handful of good proposals still unfunded, the committee asked the provost for some additional funds. The provost agreed to provide enough to cover the shortfall. The next round of grants will be in the spring with a March deadline.
BUSINESS
- Collective Bargaining Resolution #374
A motion was made and seconded to pass the resolution presented by the subcommittee to look at acceptable criteria for considering enabling legislation at some future date. There were questions from the floor asking for clarity on criteria #5 of the resolution. Kevin Kniffin of UFAS explained that the language came directly from attorney June Weisberger. It is a provision that provides flexibility with the UW System should some campuses accept agreements under collective bargaining and other reject them.
The motion passed.
- UW-System Growth Agenda resolution #375
This resolution was put before the Assembly by ASEC. Read explained that UW-System President Reilly has proposed this growth agenda as a priority to try to enroll more Wisconsin resident in four-year degree programs, to attract out-of-state students to our graduate school, and to grow job knowledge-based jobs to spur the state’s economy.
A friendly amendment was offered to at “ . . of Wisconsin System” after “President of the University . . .”.
The resolution was approved and will be sent to President Reilly.
Provost Report: Pat Farrell
The provost told the Assembly that a provision for domestic partner health care benefits would be in the Regents’ budget and probably also in the governor’s budget. The governor’s budget will go to the Joint Committee on Employee Relations (JCOER), then on to the legislature. If domestic partner benefits fail to make it through all the hoops, the UW System will take another look.
Aaron Brower is the new Vice-Provost for Teaching and Learning, replacing Gina Sapiro. Dean of Students candidates will be on campus at the beginning of the semester with a final round of interview with constituent groups. The search committee for the CIO position has begun meeting. The deadline for applications has been extended until February 1.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen McCabe
Secretary of the Academic Staff