The Senate was called to order at 3:35 in D137 MOLN by the Chair, Professor Buenker. Other Senators present were F. Akindes (until Professor Castor arrived), Castor, Colston, Duetsch, Eigenberger, Evans, Gellott, James, Kavenik, Kummings, Lyter, Martin, Mayer, McCann, Monardi, Rosenberg, Ruffolo, Sasso, Schmidt, Snyder, Walasek, Warren, Wood, Wright, and Zanowski. Senator McNair was excused. Also present were A. Crist, F. Khan, T. Fossum, E. Goodman, G. Greenfield, and W. Streeter.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Senate for October 29, 2002, were approved without objection.
REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR
Professor James said that the recent examinination of faculty teaching loads was initiated because of difficulties that have arisen in meeting adjunct funding requests. The departments need to establish (and adhere to) clearly stated criteria for granting reductions in teaching assignments. She emphasized that the intent of the examination is to ensure that the PSF 11/95-96 Faculty Workload Principles are being adhered to. There will be no interference with departmental policies that are found to be consistent with PSF 11/95-96.
Professor James also reported that the responses from our state legislators about the paucity of health insurance options in this region have been varied, but most legislators have shown concern.
Turning to retirements, Professor James reported that Emeritus Professors Greenebaum and Olsen had sent notes of appreciation for recent Senate resolutions commemorating their years of service. She then read the following statement concerning the (retiring) Secretary of the Faculty.
As most of you know, Larry
Duetsch is stepping down as Secretary of the Faculty, and this will be his last
Senate meeting as
Secretary, so I would like to take a moment to express on behalf of the University
Committee, and, indeed the whole faculty, our
appreciation for Larry's years of service. Most senators see Larry here in the
Senate, and know the great care with which he
prepares the minutes of our meetings. But during the regular work of the University
Committee, and in preparations for the senate
meetings, Larry's services are, if anything, even more essential. Much more
than the minute-taking role, Larry is an archivist of
all aspects of governance, a font of information on the University's policies
and procedures, and an invaluable source of institutional memory. In addition
to his work with governance bodies, Larry also has frequently shared his expertise
with individual faculty. In all of his work, he shows a meticulous care and
eye for detail, so necessary for carrying out his office's duties. For all of
his services, we are most grateful, and know that he will not easily be replaced.
Professor Duetsch indicated his appreciation for these kind words during the warm round of applause that followed.
REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR
Provost Martin reported in place of Chancellor Keating, who was not able to attend. She said the State budget situation is clearly worsening, although specifics are not available yet. The UW System is now preparing two budgets - one for a continuation of present funding, and one for a possible five percent budget cut (or about $1.2m for UW-Parkside). An across-the-board approach will not be taken in either case. The Provost stressed that budgetary choices will be made to maintain academic excellence. She said the sabbatical program will be continued and the consideration of tenure cases will not be affected by budgetary prospects. The University Planning Council budget subcommittee will examine all budget issues that need to be addressed.
Professor Lyter asked whether positions already authorized for next year are secure and was told they are. Professor Kavenik asked whether a greater effort is being made to supplement State monies through fundraising in the community and was told the Chancellor and his staff are doing as much as they can. Professor Rosenberg noted that certain items are apparently being protected and asked what will be cut. The Provost said she could not respond at this time. Professor Khan asked the Provost to identify the faculty members on the UPC budget subcommittee and was told there are four - Professors Evans, Fossum, Norton, and Statham.
OLD BUSINESS
REQUESTS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM CONCENTRATIONS
On behalf of the Committee on Academic Planning, Professor Fossum reintroduced the proposal from the Department of Theatre Arts, saying the Committee supported the proposal but had raised questions about it that should be answered during the Senate discussion. The Senate Chair, Professor Buenker, announced that the concentrations would be discussed and acted on individually, to be consistent with past practice.
The Committee on Academic Planning recommended the following:
Be it RESOLVED that the request from the Theatre Arts Department for authorization to implement Concentrations in Acting, Design and Technology, and Management and Direction are approved, as described in Agenda document 2.
Professor Warren addresssed the questions that the Committee had raised, saying that the English Department has indicated that it is willing to offer the courses that are needed for the concentrations, and the Theatre Arts Department is confident that it will be able to maintain course frequencies that will be sufficient to meet student needs.
MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote, without further discussion, as it pertained to the Acting concentration. MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote, without further discussion, as it pertained to the Design and Technology concentration. MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote, without further discussion, as it pertained to the Management and Direction concentration.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION REGARDING HEALTH INSURANCE
The University Committee recommended the following:
WHEREAS, since the beginning of the 2002 plan year only one affordable health insurance provider (the Humana - Eastern HMO) has been available to State employees in the heavily populated eastern portions of Kenosha and Racine counties;
AND WHEREAS, no other HMO or any PPO is offered and the far more costly Blue Cross/Blue Shield Standard Plans are not viable alternatives for the great majority of employees;
AND WHEREAS, more than one HMO plan is still available in nearly all counties with sizable populations - four plans are available in Dane County, for example;
BE IT RESOLVED, that State employees in southeastern Wisconsin are entitled to health insurance options that are comparable to those offered in other parts of the State, and deserve an end to this inequitable treatment at the earliest possible date.
MOTION APPROVED on a voice vote, without discussion.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
The General Education Committee recommended the following:
Be it RESOLVED, that a new graduation requirement in Global/Non-Western Culture is approved, as described in Agenda document 3 to become effective for students who enter in Fall 2003.
Professor Khan introduced the proposal, saying that it had been developed by an ad hoc group of concerned faculty - members of the General Education Committee and the Steering Committees of Ethnic Studies and International Studies. Professor Duetsch said the General Education Committee had strongly endorsed the proposal and Professor James said that nearly all of the UW institrutions have such a graduation requirement.
Professor Snyder asked whether courses that deal with South African or South American culture would be likely to satisfy the GC requirement. Professors Khan and James disagreed on this, but agreed that a consistent application/interpretation of the GC requirement would have to be entrusted to the designated steering committee.
Professor Gellott asked whether many courses on the current distribution list would be likely to satisfy the GC requirement and Professor Khan said that courses in Multicultural Analysis (SB) were likely to. At the same time, it was noted that courses that meet the ethnic diversity requirement (DV) are not likely to meet the GC requirement.
Professor Mayer spoke in opposition to the motion, saying that specific areas of study should not be required for general education. He argued that boundaries between Western and Non-western culture are difficult to draw and felt students should have a good deal of freedom to choose. Professor Khan said the GC requirment was not a narrow one and Professor Kavenik argued that students need to be pushed to broaden their knowledge outside their comfort zone.
Professors Wood and Mayer asked whether the impact of a GC requirement on enrollment patterns had been estimated and were told the impact was not likely to be great.
Professor Ruffolo asked whether the other UW institutions allow choice within such a requirement and Professor James said they do. Professor Ruffolo said the requirement should probably involve some specific core course(s). Professor Khan said this approach would not be practical, given other constraints within the institution at the present time.
Professor Rosenberg questioned the emphasis on global and non-western courses and Professor James said the emphasis was to be on either global or non-western courses. Professor Snyder asked why a list of acceptable current courses had not been provided and was told such a list would not have been sufficiently inclusive.
Professor Kavenik said that it was not necessary to identify courses; the emphasis in the proposal is (and should be) on desired learning outcomes. Professor Rosenberg asked whether a European history course would qualify and Professor James simply drew attention to the stated criteria.
Professor Gellott said more details need to be worked out before the proposal is adopted and Professor Snyder agreed, calling again for a list of suitable courses. Professor Ruffolo suggested that the proposal call for non-American coursework.
MOTION DEFEATED on a voice vote. A call for a division of the house produced a tally of seven yea and ten nay votes.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50.