Academic Staff Assembly

Academic Staff Assembly Approved Minutes

October 18, 2006

2006-2007 Assembly

Present:          Michael Cohen (Chair), Sandi Scott-Duex (Vice), Nancy Farmer, Gail Fox, Wayne Youngquist, Amy Margulies, Deb Bowen, Denise Ehlen, George Clokey, Patti Mirsky (Program Associate, Secretary)

Absent:           Excused:  Michael Flanagan, Eric Roche, Paula Mohan

Guests:           Jeanne Freeman, Director Human Resources & Diversity and

                        Dr. Richard J. Telfer, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

1.                   Approval of Minutes:  The meeting was brought to order by Chair Michael Cohen at 12:05 p.m.  Minutes of the September 20, 2006 were reviewed, minor corrections made, and then approved unanimously on a Duex/Farmer  motion.

2.                   UW System Criminal Background Check Policy:  Jeanne Freeman, Director Human Resources & Diversity and Dr. Richard J. Telfer, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs were welcomed and introductions made.  Their visit today was to discuss the proposed current Confidential Draft of the UW Whitewater Employee Criminal Background Check & Procedure (Draft).  Questions revolved around whether the checks would be conducted in-house or if they would be put out to State contract and how the procedure as a whole would affect the Open Records laws. It was also noted that criminal background checks are becoming an industry standard throughout many university systems.

            The deadline for additional questions, comments, suggestions and concerns is November 1^st, and should be directed to either Ms. Freeman or Dr. Telfer.  

            The Committee officially commends and thanks Jeanne Freeman for her work on the Draft.

3.         Change of order:  A change of order of business occurred, and number 4-K on the Agenda was taken up, due to the time constraints on members who had other commitments. See report below.

4.         LAB audit report:  June 2007 is the deadline.  Discussion was held on various concerns.

5.         Academic Staff Committee and Liaisons

            a.         Academic Staff Awards Committee/Duex – no report

            b.         Academic Staff Economic Issues Committee/ Cohen – no report

            c.         Academic Staff Elections & Balloting/Bowen

            d.         Academic Staff Government/Cohen

            e.         Academic Staff Organization/Duex Kathy Craney will serve on the Sexual Assault Committee

            f.          Academic Staff Professional Development/Ehlen 

g.          Academic Staff Instructional Promotions/Farmer-met with Jeanine Fassil, a new promotion policy will go into effect November 1st.         

h..         Academic Staff Review/Cohen--no report

            i.          Academic Staff Title Appeals/Duex

            j.          Academic Staff Titling Committee/Kidd

 k.         Academic Staff Rewards and Recognition Committee/Flanagan-- Ehlen reported in Flanagan’s absence that three nominations were received for the Non-Instructional Awards.  The Academic Staff Rewards and Recognition Committee met and discussed the nominees, and recommends $150 be awarded to Eric Roche and to Patricia Fragola. Acceptance of the recommendation of the Committee was passed unanimously on an Ehlen/Margulies motion.  More nominations will be accepted in December for new awards.

6.         Announcements:

a.                   Vacant seat on the Assembly – instructional position one year term.

b.                   Cohen reported on the teleconference on Oct 12, 2006 with System Representatives.  Discussion focused on Policy Changes, especially background checks, and on the Growth Agenda.

7.         Future Agenda Items:

            a.         Ask Randy Marnocha to come to our meeting.

Adjourned at 1:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted by:  Patti Mirsky, Program Associate (Secretary)