Academic Staff Assembly (ASA) Minutes
DRAFT
MINUTES
ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY
Monday, 10 November 2008
272 Bascom Hall (3:30-4:30 pm)
Provost Patrick Farrell called the meeting to order at 3:30.
AUTOMATIC CONSENT BUSINESS
The minutes of the 10/13/2008 Academic Staff Assembly meeting were approved.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) – Susan Crowley, chair
The small-group sessions at the last Assembly worked very well according to the feedback we received. We will try that again – perhaps in February when we discuss the “Go Green” initiative.
Assembly materials will be distributed electronically from now on, with some materials available at the door.
There is good benefits information on the UW website, including a compensation estimator at http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/compest/.
ASEC met with representatives from the CASIs to hear about their priorities and collect annual reports.
Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee: Miriam Simmons, chair
The instructional leave proposal written by the CEBC was discussed with vice-provost Steve Stern, who suggested collecting some peer information to strengthen the case. Dennis Ray and Beth Workmaster are looking for some comparables.
The committee has invited Jocelyn Milner and Margaret Harrigan to the next meeting to look at Category A maxima data. A UW System report shows that a large percentage than usual of academic staff will be retiring in the next several years.
Professional Development and Recognition Committee: Kevin Niemi, co-chair
The PDRC will be reviewing the 40 professional development grant application received this fall. Excellence award information will be sent this month with a deadline for submission on January 30.
GUEST: Don Nelson, Assistant Director of State Relations
Don mentioned some changes to the state legislature as a result of the recent election. The Assembly will now be controlled by Democrats, who number 52 as opposed to 46 Republicans and one independent. With the loss of the majority position, Rep. Steve Nass will no longer be chair of the Higher Education Committee, but will probably continue to be a member.
In the Senate, the Democrats maintain their majority, so membership on committees may not change much.
The budget is a serious issue for the state with up to a $5 billion deficit. The extent and amount of cuts to agencies including the UW System is yet to be determined. Besides cost-to-continue, the UW-Madison was hoping to have additional funding available for graduate student support and a faculty/staff retention. The campuses need to think about look for ways to be flexible. More independence in managing tuition levels, purchasing authority, new buildings, and human resources could create significant efficiencies. Regents will make a recommendation to the governor in December about the faculty/staff pay plan. The chancellor understands the necessity for keeping good people here and will make the case for the campus.
Domestic partner benefits have a better chance of consideration with Dems in charge, but it will require a law change because of insurance plans.
Collective bargaining will likely come up again and will get support from faculty and staff, particularly at the System campuses. Academic staff need to make their contributions known in terms of value to the state, students, economy, etc.
The new chancellor met with legislators this summer and will start meeting one-on-one in January with those newly elected. The state relations office will coordinate meetings with targeted legislative committees. Academic staff who have expertise or interest in on special topics or bills should contact Don about going to meet with legislators.
PROVOST
The Board of Regents meets one month to have mostly informational sessions, then votes on issues the next month. This month there were presentations on the “graying” of the academic staff and faculty. Al Crist did a System summary, Pat Farrell spoke for the faculty, and Donna Dahlvang of UW-Superior gave the academic staff report. The loss of Madison faculty is staying steady at about 1/3 per year, with the mean age up just one year. The loss of academic staff is more significant because of an increase in the mean age. Concern exists for loss of faculty and staff due to the high cost of replacing talented people. The campus is looking for low cost/no cost benefits to try to attract candidates.
The campus will join other state agencies in a modified hiring freeze. All vacancies will require that deans and directors deem them essential, and requests will be monitored.
With the state budget situation, cuts to the University are coming. Just how far-reaching will be determined when the governor’s budget is set.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen McCabe
Secretary of the Academic Staff