Faculty Senate
May 5, 2005 325 Graff Main Hall
Vol. 39, No. 17 4:05 p.m.
I. Roll Call.
Present: Beck, Clow, Cravins, Dixon, Galbraith, Gendreau, Gongaware, Grunwald, Heim, Hench, Johnston-Rodriguez, Kernozek, Kraemer, S. Krajewski, Maher, Majak, C. Miller, Poulton, Ragan, B. Riley, Senger, Shanks, Shillinger, D. Sullivan.
II. Minutes.
There were no minutes to approve.
III. Reports.
The faculty senate approved the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the implications for faculty and academic programs of the chancellor’s recent administrative budget cuts relative to UW-L’s policy on university reorganization. The committee will be comprised of Bob Carney, Dan Duquette, Mark Gibson, Joe Heim, Tom Kernozek, Bob Krajewski, Peg Maher, Carol Oyster, Bruce Riley, Joyce Shanks, Steve Simpson, and Kim Vogt.
In response to the UW-System Board of Regent’s resolution to eliminate the UW-La Crosse College of Education, Exercise Science, Health & Recreation, Chair Riley submitted the following correspondence to members of the Education Committee of the UW-System BOR:
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information relevant to the resolution before the Education Committee on the elimination of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Education, Exercise Science, Health & Recreation (and the subsequent university reorganization), and to request that the Education Committee delay action on the resolution until the implications of the actions are more fully understood.
Until reading the agenda for the May 5-6 Board of Regents meeting earlier this week, faculty at the UW-La Crosse were unaware that the university was asking the Board of Regents for authorization to eliminate the College of EESHR at this time. This indirect notification of a request to eliminate the college is a continuation of a lack of communication and consultation between the UW-La Crosse administration and the faculty regarding the College of EESHR, in particular, and the development of administrative budget reductions required for the 2005-07 biennium, in general.
An earlier example of this lack of communication and consultation involves the search for a Dean of the College of EESHR. The search was initiated in fall 2004, and in February and early March of 2005 four candidates participated in on-campus interviews for the position. The search committee, and the university community, undertook their responsibilities to review the candidates and to promote the deanship, the college, and the university to the candidates. At the same time, during meetings with the Chancellor and/or Provost, candidates were told that funding for the position was tentative and that the position might not be filled. Initially, members of the university were unaware of these discussions. Indeed, the search committee only learned that filling the position was in question during conversations with the first two candidates as they were being transported to the airport following their interviews.
Once it was widely known that EESHR Dean candidates were told that the position might not be filled, speculative discussions about the situation occurred in different venues across campus without substantive input from the administration. During this time the Faculty Senate, in consultation with members of the affected units, overwhelmingly passed a resolution that the EESHR Dean position be maintained through the 2005-07 biennium. The Faculty Senate also expressed concern regarding a reorganization of the university and the integrity of the academic programs offered by the College of EESHR if the Dean’s position was not filled. Copies of the memorandum to Chancellor Hastad describing the Senate’s resolution and concerns about failure to abide by UW-La Crosse’s policy on university reorganization are attached.
On April 4, Chancellor Hastad announced to the university his decisions made relative to administrative budget reductions required for the 2005-07 biennium and, over a two day period, held listening sessions to respond to questions and comments regarding the budget reduction decisions. The budget reductions included not filling the EESHR Dean and Associate Dean positions and establishing administrative reporting lines between EESHR programs and other college deans. There was no university review of the budget reduction decisions (and university reorganization) nor was there apparent consideration of alternative budget reduction plans that faculty put forth. Consequently, the Faculty Senate established an ad hoc committee to investigate the implications for faculty and academic programs of the Chancellor's administrative budget reductions relative to UW-La Crosse’s policy on university reorganization (a copy of the motion authorizing the creation of the committee is attached).
Two years ago, UW-La Crosse administration proposed a similar reorganization of the university in which programs from the College of EESHR would have been integrated into the other three colleges at the university. During the review of the proposal, issues (mainly academic issues) emerged and the proposal was withdrawn. In addition, during the summer of 2003, Provost Hitch appointed a task force to examine the best way to organize the academic structure of the university. The task force examined but did not recommend a reorganization of the college structure of the university and presented a detailed plan on how better coordination between units in existing colleges might proceed. Thus, in two previous efforts faculty examined and rejected college reorganization at the university.
Some faculty are concerned that the administrative budget reductions are being used to implement an agenda that failed to obtain faculty approval, when it was proposed in accordance with the aforementioned university reorganization policy. Thus, the Faculty Senate’s action to review the academic implications of the budget reductions is a prudent and necessary action before the Board of Regents approves the elimination of the College of EESHR (and a reorganization of the university). The committee reviewing the implication of the budget reductions is to present a report on its findings to the Faculty Senate in early fall, 2005.
M/S/P senate goes on record as supporting the action of the SEC with letter to the university system. (unanimous show of hands)
Vice Chancellor Lostetter reported on this year’s salary savings. These funds were used for promotion salary increases and for section relief.
At its most recent meeting, the Faculty Repesentatives learned that UW-System has established a committee to deal with admissions procedures in response to the Supreme Court decision at the University of Michigan. UW-System is looking for a more holistic approach that goes beyond ACT, SAT and class standings. The agenda also included discussion of the pay plan, compression issues, and budget transfer issues between technical schools and System institutions.
IV. Approval of Spring/Summer Graduates.
M/S/P to approve the list of Spring 2005 and Summer 2005 graduates contingent upon the successful completion of the requirements for their respective degrees. (voice vote)
V. UCC Proposal on Extra-Departmental Courses.
Terry Kelly, Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee joined the senate. The UCC was charged with reviewing the recommendations regarding interdepartmental and extra-departmental courses presented to the Faculty Senate by the Academic Program Review Committee last spring; and as necessary, develop and present policies for the review of proposals for interdepartmental and extra-departmental courses.
M/S/P to approve the following recommendation from the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee: All courses being submitted to UCC identify a department or program that
will be responsible for the Academic Program Review of the course. A line would be added to LX forms asking which instructional unit has administrative and program review responsibilities for the course. (The normal APR of that instructional unit would trigger the review of the extra-departmental course, but the evaluation of that course should be done in consultation with or by those actually involved in teaching it.) (show of hands: 22-yes, 1-no, 0-abstain)
VI. Certificate Programs in Geographic Information Systems, and Middle School Mathematics.
A. In order to meet the increasing technology needs of working professionals, the Department of Geography/Earth Science has developed a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate Program. The certificate program will serve technological needs of the nontraditional student, as well as provide regular students with greater educational opportunities.
M/S/P to approve the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate Program. (unanimous show of hands)
B. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that all teachers be highly qualified in the grade level and subject they are teaching. The Middle School Mathematics Certificate Program is a professional development program intended to meet the needs of licensed teachers who desire to extend their mathematical and pedagogical knowledge in middle school mathematics.
M/S/P to approve the Middle School Mathematics Certificate Program. (show of hands: 19-yes, 0-no, 1-abstention)
VII. Graduate Council Report.
M/S/P to approve the following new policy language in the Graduate Faculty Membership. (unanimous show of hands)
Definition:
The Graduate Faculty consists of the faculty and academic staff (including adjunct, ad hoc, and clinical faculty) of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse who meet the criteria for full, associate, assistant, and affiliate membership.
The five membership categories are:
Exception. Individuals whose primary professional involvement (and employment) is external to the University, but whose involvement in, and contributions to, UW-L graduate programs are nearly the same as that of UW-L faculty, have the opportunity to apply for Full Graduate Faculty membership (these persons would need to meet all criteria for Full membership, including the doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree). Examples of such individuals include adjunct faculty whose organization is a recognized formal partner in a UW-L graduate program, are involved in planning and delivering the curriculum, who advise graduate students, and who maintain an active program of peer-reviewed scholarship that includes research with UW-L students and faculty. In addition to meeting all current criteria for Full Graduate Faculty membership, the applicant must have successfully mentored at least two UW-L graduate students through the entire graduate process as a co-major advisor or co-director (of a thesis, seminar paper, or graduate project), and have the support of the department(s) in which the program is housed. Departments should carefully review the credentials, roles, and contributions to UW-L graduate programs of professionals external to the University prior to pursuing this exception. Use of this “exception” should be carefully applied by departments/programs, and compelling evidence for Full Graduate Faculty membership must be presented.
Full members must meet the following criteria: 1) hold the doctorate or other appropriate terminal degree (e.g., M.F.A.); 2) provide evidence of the ability to teach at the graduate level; 3) provide evidence of continuing scholarly accomplishments in their discipline or professional field as defined by the department; and 4) provide evidence of the ability to serve as director of theses, seminar papers, graduate projects, or graduate comprehensive examination committees. See exception under the Affiliate Category – number 4 above.
Associate membership may be granted when all the criteria for full membership are not met, but compelling evidence indicates the individual will contribute significantly to a graduate program of the University by teaching, serving as a member of theses, seminar papers, graduate projects, or comprehensive graduate examination committees.
Assistant members must meet the following criteria: 1) hold a graduate degree; 2) provide evidence the individual will contribute special expertise through teaching internship/preceptorship supervision, serving as a member of theses, seminar papers, graduate projects, or comprehensive examination committees.
Affiliate membership may be extended only to individuals external to the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse who will contribute to the University’s graduate programs through internship/preceptorship supervision, specialized instruction, contribution of professional expertise and knowledge to a graduate program, and/or serving as members of theses, seminar papers, graduate projects, or comprehensive graduate examination committees.
1. Complete the Graduate Faculty Membership Application, include a copy of your department’s definition of scholarship, and indicate what the terminal degree is for your discipline. First time applicants, as well as applicants seeking renewal of graduate faculty status, shall include an updated c.v./resume. All materials must be received by the due date.
VIII. Old Business.
IX. New Business.
Senators thanked Chair Riley for his guidance in leading the faculty senate through many controversial issues, and moving faculty governance along in a very positive way. His openness and honesty is commendable.
X. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.