Meeting Minutes

May 22, 2006

Members Present: Kevin Bertelsen, Alicia Acken Cosgrove, Carmen Croonquist, Sarah Egerstrom, Brad Gee, Mark Kinders, Gretchen Link, Jason Neuhaus, Cara Rubis, Travis Tubré

Members Absent: Kimberly Gould-Speckman, Amber Tubré

Call to order at 2:06 PM

Approval of 4/24/06 minutes. Motion made by J. Neuhaus. Seconded by G. Link. S. Egerstrom asked that under the Chair's Report, in the section titled Change in Timing of Academic and Classified Staff Awards, that the last sentence be deleted. Revised minutes were unanimously approved.

Chair's Report (S. Egerstrom)
Nominations for Academic Staff Awards
Nominations for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence for Academic Staff are due Friday, July 7. Visit www.uwrf.edu/administration/award_for_excellence/ for details of the nomination process.

Fall Orientation Schedule
The 2006-2007 New Faculty & Staff Orientation dates are set for Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, August 31st. The current orientation schedule is in draft form.

Academic Staff Leadership Conference in Eau Claire: July 13 and 14
Look for additional information from the UW-Eau Claire campus.

UW-River Falls Academic Staff Performance Review
A new performance review form has been developed by the Human Resources Office and is in draft form. Academic Staff Council reviewed the draft and gave comments. M. Kinders stated that the term "goal" should be defined. J. Neuhaus added that the idea of being evaluated based on integrity, academic excellence, inclusiveness, community and continuous improvement seems to be too vague. M. Kinders also stated that many areas already do their own evaluations and goal setting, and if this document becomes a university tool, then departmental ones would be eliminated. If this is the case, then the campus should be asked for its input before it is implemented.

Representative's Report (K. Gould-Speckman)
Minutes from the 5/18/06 meeting of Academic Staff Representatives are attached and available at: www.uwsa.edu/acadaff/asreps/agendaminutes.htm.
S. Egerstrom mentioned that since K. Gould-Speckman has completed her term as the Academic Staff Representative for UW-River Falls, a new representative will be appointed by the chair. K. Gould-Speckman would like to schedule a transition meeting with the new UW-River Falls' representative.

Legislative Update (M. Kinders)
Taxpayers Protection Amendment
M. Kinders asked that S. Egerstrom write a thank you letter for voting against the TPA to the following individuals: Senator Sheila Harsdorf, Senator Ed Brown, and State Representative Rob Kreibich.

New Business (S. Egerstrom)
Elections
Nominations for the position of Chair were asked three times. Motion made by G. Link to nominate S. Egerstrom. Seconded by J. Neuhaus. Nomination accepted by S. Egerstrom. Motion to approve made by M. Kinders. Seconded by J. Neuhaus. Unanimously approved.

Nominations for the position of Vice Chair were asked three times. Motion made by M. Kinders to nominate C. Rubis. Seconded by T. Tubré. Nomination accepted by C. Rubis. Motion made by G. Link to nominate C. Croonquist. There was no second to that motion. Motion to approve made by J. Neuhaus. Seconded by M. Kinders. Unanimously approved.

Nominations for the position of Secretary were asked three times. Motion made by G. Link to nominate J. Neuhaus. There was no second to that motion. Motion made by T. Tubré to nominate B. Gee. Seconded by K. Bertelsen. Nomination accepted by B. Gee. Motion to approve made by T. Tubré. Seconded by J. Neuhaus. Unanimously approved.

Mary Halada: Pay-Plan, Health Insurance
Mary Halada was not able to attend. M. Kinders spoke in regard to the pay-plan. M. Kinders stated that the pay-plan will occur in two increments: a 2% increase on July 1, 2006 and 2.25% on April 1, 2007. Because our salary increases are determined by our base salary as of July 1, 2006, the April salary increases won't be considered as part of the base for future salary increases until July 1, 2008. Thus, any July 1, 2007 salary increases will only take into consideration the 2% increase that is implemented on July 1, 2006. Further information is available at www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/r060427.htm

S. Egerstrom spoke in regard to the health insurance. S. Egerstrom stated that she will gather more information from M. Halada

Continuing Business
Update on Academic Staff Orientation and Continuing Professional Development Opportunities (T. Tubré)
There were a total of thirty responses to the needs assessment survey. Overall, an orientation program is perceived as a need on the campus. The networking and campus resources categories received the highest rankings in regard to importance. Overall, individuals were willing to become a mentor. The number of mentors needed is yet to be determined. One academic year was the most commonly chosen period a person would need a mentor. A report will be put together this week by a summer school student.

Announcements
Town and Country Day (G. Link)
Town and Country Day is set for June 15, 2006. There is a free breakfast, and a great lunch with brats and cheese curds at a reasonable price.

River Falls Days (G. Link)
River Falls Days are set for July 13 - 16, 2006.

Chamber Golf (G. Link)
Chamber Golf is today.

Registration (S. Egerstrom)
Registration begins next week.

Two New Hires in Enrollment Services (S. Egerstrom)
Sandra Oftedahl (a UWRF alumna) has been named the new Financial Aid Director at UWRF and will begin on June 1, 2006. Dan Vande Yacht has been named the new Registrar at UWRF and will begin on July 10, 2006.

Adjourned at 2:54 PM. Motion made by G. Link. Seconded by J. Neuhaus. Unanimously approved.

2005- 06 University of Wisconsin System Council of Academic Staff Representatives
Thursday, May 18, 2006 Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Judith Blackstone, UW-Eau Claire, Samantha Surowiec, UW-Green Bay, Deborah Veglahn, UW-LaCrosse, Frank Kooistra, UW-Madison, Jon Lenichek, UW-Milwaukee, Ann Marie Johnson, UW-Oshkosh, Rick Haskey, UW-Parkside, Cyndi Reuter, UW-Platteville, Kimberly Gould Speckman, UW-River Falls, Julie Schneider, UW-Stevens Point, Vi Jones, UW-Stout, Donna Dahlvang, UW-Superior, Michael Cohen, UW-Whitewater, Dave Carlson, UW Rock County, Mike Wilson, UW-Extension, Bill Steffenhagen, UW-Madison (ASPRO President), David Blough, UW System Administration, Bob Jokisch, UW System Administration

The session began with a joint meeting with the Faculty Representatives and President Kevin Reilly. President Reilly started the session by discussing his Communications Initiative. He noted that states that have a higher percentage of its population with baccalaureate degrees have higher income per capita. 24% of Wisconsin's population has a baccalaureate degree compared to the national average of 27%. Minnesota has 32-33% of its population with a baccalaureate degree and is $4000 ahead of us in terms of income per capita. Wisconsin is very low in attracting people to the state with baccalaureate degrees. If we look 10 years forward, out of 100 eighth graders, only 18 will achieve associate or baccalaureate degrees; what will happen with the other 82? President Reilly stated that people are starting to understand that the UW System is the engine that will determine the success of the economy.

As part of his Communications Initiative, President Reilly has been meeting with editorial boards and Chancellors have been meeting with local legislators. Other activities include:
" Buddy system with Board members and legislators
" Higher education/business roundtable
" News briefs with President Reilly and Board President Walsh before each Board meeting
" Open house meetings with legislators
" Legislative dinners
" Alumni for Wisconsin initiative
" Actions with personnel policies have built public trust

As a result of these activities, there have been a number of positive signs:
" 6.25% pay plan
" Legislative support for non-resident tuition change and executive pay
" Governor came to Board meeting to support Wisconsin Covenant and Growth Agenda
" Defeat of Taxpayer Protection Act

President Reilly added that in the past six years, the UW System has been cut by $400 million, cut 1000 positions, and added 3800 students.

The Faculty Representatives began the discussion with President Reilly by noting that they have concerns with recruitment, retention, and morale. The Star Fund has hit hard on faculty morale. Regarding the Growth Agenda, they asked questions about the process for developing the budget initiatives on campus. The process was very fast and did not allow time for adequate governance input. The Faculty Representatives also raised concerns about UWS7; the suspension without pay could be a back door way of getting at faculty administration doesn't like. Other issues raised include getting more of a faculty voice at Regents' meetings, annual background checks, and the UW System's poor public image.

Academic Staff Representatives also raised concerns about the disciplinary process; there is no language shared specifically about academic staff. They were pleased that the UW System now has an agenda, and is not just reactive. With a lot of new chancellors, they need to be made aware of governance and Chapter 36.

There was further discussion on the Growth Agenda regarding the need for further communication and buy-in by faculty and staff. There is resistance because of concerns that we can't afford the students we have now. President Reilly explained the importance of this strategy for additional resources for the UW System.

There was also further discussion of governance issues and the need for top administrators to understand Chapter 36. Suggestions were made to include these issues in Chancellors' and Regents' orientation.

Separate meetings were then held for both the Faculty Representatives and the Academic Staff Representatives.

The meeting of the Academic Staff Representatives began with the approval of the minutes from the April 20 meeting, with minor edits.

Judy Blackstone from UW-Eau Claire led the discussion of the Academic Staff Leadership Conference. They are looking to have a Board member and a legislator speak at the conference. Anyone interested in presenting at the conference should contact Judy. Suggestions were made for a panel on adjunct academic staff, breaking barriers between instructional and administrative academic staff, and governance comparisons by campus. A question was raised about the number of academic staff allowed per campus. There are no limits, but some campuses only support a certain number. For the 2007 Academic Staff Leadership Conference, UW-Superior is planning for June 28th and 29th.

Regarding AB1147, Cora Marrett and Bill Steffenhagen noted that the bill did not get out of committee.

Regarding criminal background checks, concern was raised that this was an overreaction to the situation. This issue is not going to the Board in June.

Regarding academic staff reps presence at Board meetings, this would be worked out over e-mail. Cora Marrett suggested that she could recognize faculty and academic staff reps at the first Board meeting of the academic year. Another issue discussed was the attendees at the Academic Staff dinner with the Board of Regents; the suggestion was made that those selected should be part of academic staff governance. Finally, the idea of joint meetings with the Faculty and Academic Staff Reps was raised.