Meeting Minutes

December 18, 2006

Members present: Alicia Acken Cosgrove, Kevin Bertelsen, Sarah Egerstrom, Brad Gee, Kimberly Gould-Speckman, Mark Kinders, Gretchen Link, Jason Neuhaus, Cara Rubis, Travis Tubré

Members absent: None

Call to Order: 2:03 p.m.

Approval of 11/20/06 Minutes: Correction: Carmen Croonquist was added to the list of members present. Motion made by G. Link. Seconded by C. Croonquist. Unanimously approved as corrected.

Chair's Report (S. Egerstrom):
Performance Evaluation Tool Update: Human Resources is alerting Deans and Directors regarding the revised tool. A memo has also been sent out to Academic Staff. Rubis asked when goals for the next year should be set. Egerstrom responded that goals should be done before merit pay is determined at the end of February.

Growth Agenda Letter of Support Sent: Letter of support has been sent to UW System President Kevin Reilly on behalf of the UWRF Academic Staff Council.

Fourth Division Title Update: Discussion of the name change has been tabled by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

St. Croix Valley Legislative Days in February: Egerstrom, Faculty Senate Chair Wes Chapin, and Student Senate President Joe Eggers will be meeting with area legislators on February 13 & 14 in Madison. According to Kinders, this will be a good "Lobbying 101" experience with a chance to encourage support of university and growth agenda issues.

Academic Staff Leadership Conference: Proposals for the 2007 ASLC at UW-Superior in June are encouraged. It would be nice to send a couple of staff from UWRF.

Pay Plan: The Board of Regents is considering a request for a 5.23 percent pay plan increase for faculty and unclassified staff.

Representative's Report (K. Gould-Speckman):
Minutes from the December 14 meeting of Academic Staff Representatives are available online.

Legislative Update (M. Kinders):
Upcoming legislative session will include continuing criticism of UW System, and there will likely be talk of a need for an aggressive era of reform. This means there will be an increased need for lobbying on behalf of UWS issues.

The state is facing a $1.6 billion budget deficit. Since $400 million must be allocated for health care and $500 million for K-12 education, UW System will have to fight for its share of the remaining budget. It is important that UWRF continue to develop good relationships with local representatives.

New Business: None

Continuing Business: Professional Development Sessions (S. Egerstrom): Since grant proposals for professional development are due in late March, Egerstrom sought input on possible grant-funded sessions for the Professional Development Day in August. Croonquist suggested a session on developing student internships and experiential education opportunities. She also thought a session would be useful on increasing diversity awareness and sensitivity. Acken Cosgrove added that she would be interested in a session on conflict management and prevention. Egerstrom asked council members to talk with colleagues and bring back ideas for the January meeting.

Handbook Updates (S. Egerstrom): The following timeline for handbook updates was agreed upon:

January 22: Sections 1-4 (Cara and Mark)
February 19: Section 5-9 (Alicia, Gretchen, Sarah)
March 19: Sections 10-13 (Sara, Carmen, Jason)
April 16: Sections 14-15 and additional procedures (Brad, Sarah)
May 21: Final approval of entire chapter (All)

Adjournment: 2:50 p.m. Motion made by J. Neuhaus. Seconded by C. Rubis. Unanimously approved.