Academic Staff Assembly (ASA) Minutes
MINUTES - Approved 3/20/06
ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY
Monday, 13 February 2006
272 Bascom Hall (3:30-4:45 pm)
Vice Chancellor Darrell Bazzell called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
AUTOMATIC CONSENT BUSINESS
The minutes of the 12/12/2005 Academic Staff Assembly meeting were approved.
Standing Committee Reports
Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) - Frank Kooistra, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/asec.html; https://lists.wisc.edu/read/?forum=assembly
Frank mentioned the informal gathering for Assembly representatives that
took the place of a regular Assembly meeting in December. The interim
provost talked to the group about improving the search and screen process
for the future. A number of issues were discussed briefly, such as honorific
professorial titles, budget, collective bargaining enabling legislature,
and campus climate initiatives.
The March Assembly meeting has been changed to March 20 to avoid spring break week. At that meeting, slates for the standing committee elections will be presented.
The Academic Staff Institute will be held in early April. The steering committee would like to hear from some of the younger Assembly members who might want to participate in a panel discussing governance-after-the-baby-boomers-have-retired. The issue of the "graying of the academic staff" has also been a concern of the Graduate School CASI.
Frank will attend a System reps meeting this week where System administration will be looking for input from the campus on enabling legislation for collective bargaining. Frank will relay the outcome of the motion before the Assembly today. The summer Leadership Conference will be hosted by UW-Eau Claire.
Applications are now being accepted for the opening on the Athletic Board for one academic staff member. See the announcement in Wisconsin Week or contact Mary Ray for details.
Members of ASEC interviewed Patrick Farrell, the first of two provost candidates. The final candidate's interview will be February 28.
Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee (CEBC) - Bill Steffenhagen,
chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/cebc/index2.htm
The information on those academic staff due for promotion reviews was
sent to the units in January. There are 380 who fall into this category.
Districting and Representation Committee (DRC) - Charlene Krembs, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/comopp/drc.html
Nominating Committee - Mary Ray, chair
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/comopp/nc.html
Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee (PPPC) - Carla Love and John
Mather, co-chairs
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/pppc/index.htm
The latest job security data is now on the web. There is a summary, various
charts, and information by school, college, and division. http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/pppc/JS%20reports%202005/index.htm
Professional Development and Recognition Committee (PDRC) - Donna Cole
and Lisa Jansen, co-chairs
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/pdrc/index.html
Other Reports
Graduate School Committee on Academic Staff Issues - Bruce Neumann
The CASI is in its third year as an advisory body to the dean. They began
meeting every month, but now meet every other month. An academic staff
member from the CASI serves a representative on the Academic Planning
Council. An academic staff member serves as the vice chair of the CASI.
The CASI reviews and ranks professional grant applications submitted by
Graduate School academic staff members before they are submitted to the
PDRC. Academic staff are invited to serve on search and screen committees
at Graduate School level. With the exception of committees that focus
exclusively on faculty issues, all Graduate School committees have academic
staff representation.
The CASI completed a survey on performance evaluation methods. A draft
policy for implementing the honorific research professor title series
was passed and submitted for review. The CASI-sponsored professional development
workshops featuring Don Schutt, on using My UW. They also met with ASEC
in January for general discussion and to share the mission for this year
of getting more AS involved in governance, as well as working with ASEC
to get the word out to the general public on what the academic staff role
is on campus.
BUSINESS
1. Results of the ASEC election
The ballot for election of three ASEC members was sent electronically
through DoIT's web survey software. Colleen reported that over 1100 voters
participated. Elected to three-year terms were Susan Crowley, Robin Kurtz,
and Tori Richardson.
2. ASPP Chapter 14 change
A motion from the PPPC was presented for a vote. The Assembly voted unanimously
to approve a change to increase the membership of the PDRC from nine members
to twelve members. The additional members will be added after the spring
2006 election.
3. Resolution on collective bargaining enabling legislation
ASEC introduced a motion opposing Senate Bill 452 http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB452hst.html,
which laid out a plan for collective bargaining in the event that collective
bargaining legislation was eventually passed. Discussion followed. http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/doc/360SB452.htm
Those who were in favor of this motion felt that that SB452 was flawed, so were fearful that if collective bargaining was to happen, that it would be divisive. The bill is very specific about bargaining conditions and would not only split faculty and academic staff, but would allow only two campuses to be in any one bargaining unit.
Those opposed to the motion felt that a fundamental right to choose would be denied. Enabling legislation is in no way a vote for collective bargaining, which most would be against, but merely gives faculty and staff the right to make that decision once it is before them.
Don Nelson, from the chancellor's state relations group, stated that the bill was still in committee, and with the current legislative session ending on March 9, was likely to die there this session.
Read Gilgen made a motion for an amendment to the resolution, seconded, that would insert that the Academic Staff Assembly "supports the right to choose collective bargaining, but opposes SB452." The amendment carried.
Jo Ann Carr moved a further amendment, seconded, to add "Therefore be it resolved, That the Academic Staff Assembly at UW-Madison will identify and communicate to the Board of Regents and the Legislature the criteria for enabling legislation that meets the needs of academic staff." This amendment carried.
The resolution as amended was approved. http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/acstaff/doc/360SB452amended.htm
Vice Chancellor's Report - Darrell Bazzell
The vice chancellor mentioned the budget impact of tuition remission fees
on departments. The campus will be considering whether to impose a flat
fee or use another method of allocating the costs. Proposals will be brought
to ASEC, the University Committee, and the TAs for their input.
The state's fiscal climate is improving somewhat. There is now a $12 million positive balance. Though $65 million is needed, the trend is in the right direction, so no new budget cuts are anticipated.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen McCabe
Secretary of the Academic Staff