Academic Staff Assembly

Academic Staff Assembly
Academic Staff Assembly Unapproved Minutes
October 3, 2007

2007-2008 Assembly

Present: Mike Cohen (Chair), George Clokey, Gail Fox, Deb Bowen, Denise Ehlen, Michael Flanagan, Giuliana Miolo, Paula Mohan, Eric Roche, Sarah Thayer (Program Associate, Secretary).
Excused/Absent: Sandi Scott-Duex (Vice), Nancy Farmer, Amy Margulies, Wayne Youngquist

The meeting was brought to order by Chair Michael Cohen at 12:09 p.m.

1. Summer Conference Material:

Material from the Academic Staff Leadership Conference was discussed. A packet presented at the conference by Mark Bradley, President of the UW System Board of Regents, was handed out. Specifically discussed were the graphs on pages 5 and 6. Cohen announced that next year’s conference is to be held in Platteville in mid July.

2. Approval of Minutes:

Minutes of the September 5, 2007 meeting were reviewed. Minutes of September 5, 2007 were approved unanimously on an Ehlen/Bowen motion. Minutes of the September 19, 2007 meeting were reviewed. Minutes of September 19, 2007 were approved unanimously on a Flanagan/Mohan motion.

3. UW Whitewater Background Check Policy

Cohen will meet with Chancellor Telfer to discuss the changes to the Background Check Policy. Ehlen reported that at a Dean’s Council meeting, the Provost announced that the Background Check Policy is to be implemented January 1, 2008. Discussion continued over the changes to the Background Check Policy and the different views given by the Academic Staff Assembly and Faculty Senate.

4. LGBT Task Force

Roche and Mohan reported that they are unable to represent the Academic Staff Assembly on the LGBT Task Force due to conflict during the Wednesday meeting times. Cohen asked Ehlen to discuss this issue with the Academic Staff Organization Committee to see if someone is interested in serving on the LGBT Task Force.

5. Appointment to Alumni Board

Cohen reported that Tommy Jones, Director of Alumni Relations, is requesting a replacement for James Sisak on the Alumni Board. Ehlen voiced interest and will discuss time commitments and terms with Tommy Jones. A decision will be made at the October 17, 2007 meeting.

6. Policy Recommendations for Leave Reporting

Cohen requested that Assembly members review Section 3 of the memo regarding leave reporting and the handout on sick leave usage, and get back to him by Friday, October 12 with recommendations for changes. These recommendations will be discussed at the October 17, 2007 meeting.

7. Proposal for memorial name request

Cohen announced that the request for the new University Pride Center to be named after Paula P.B. Poorman was denied because of the five year separation requirement. No action can be taken on this issue, but Cohen will send comments by Assembly to John Enslin, Chair of the Memorial Committee.

8. Academic Staff Committees and Liaisons

  1. Academic Staff Awards Committee/Miolo - no report.
  2. Academic Staff Economic Issues Committee/Cohen – no report.
  3. Academic Staff Elections & Balloting/Bowen – no report.
  4. Academic Staff Government/Mohan – First meeting pending.
  5. Academic Staff Organization/Ehlen -

Ehlen motioned for approval of the appointment of Susan Kidd to the Academic Staff Title Appeals Committee and the appointment of Marilyn Kile to the Academic Staff Titling Committee. Gail 2nd motion. Motion passed unanimously.

  1. Academic Staff Professional Development/Ehlen – the call for proposals was released and that we will receive an estimated $13,000 in funding (same as last year).
  2. Academic Staff Instructional Promotions/Farmer –no report.
  3. Academic Staff Review/Cohen – no requests.
  4. Academic Staff Title Appeals/Margulies –no requests.
  5. Academic Staff Titling Committee/Youngquist –no new requests.
  6. Academic Staff Rewards and Recognition Committee/Flanagan – non-instructional rewards and recognition nomination forms will be sent out to all faculty and academic staff.

9. Announcements:

  1. UW System Strategic Framework to Advantage Wisconsin – Cohen announced that the first meeting is October 19, 2007.
  2. Cohen announced that he will get information for anyone interested in TAUWP or ASPRO organizations.

10. Future Agenda Items

  1. LGBT Task Force Appointment
  2. University Center Board Appointment
  3. Alumni Board Appointment

Meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m. on a Fox/Ehlen motion.

Respectfully submitted by Sarah Thayer, Program Associate/Secretary