FACULTY GOVERNANCE

Faculty governance has traditionally played a strong role on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus. While curriculum is the faculty's major area of responsibility, faculty play an important role in recommending policies to the administration in many other areas as well. Our Chancellor has demonstrated a commitment to strong faculty governance, the success of which depends upon the administration's openness to listening to and consulting with the faculty, and the faculty's willingness to participate.

Faculty governance information including meeting agendas, minutes and related documents are available in the Faculty Senate Public Folders in Microsoft Office.

FACULTY SENATE

Chapter 36 of the Wisconsin Statutes directs the faculty and academic staff to determine its own organization to participate in institutional governance. The Constitution of the Faculty Senate specifies the Faculty Senate as the primary governance representative body. An additional body under the statutes representing the academic staff is the Academic Staff Council.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee members include the Chair and Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate, the Chair-Elect (the incoming Chair of the Faculty Senate), and the chairs of the standing committees. The main function of the Executive Committee is for the chairs of the standing committees to discuss with each other the items that are coming before their committees. The Executive Committee also acts as a liaison group between the Faculty Senate and administration. For example, it is common for the Chancellor and the Provost to attend executive committee meetings to ask for input, to inform the group of upcoming campus issues, and to report on UW System activities and initiatives. While the Executive Committee is not a decision making body (it is not charged with bringing action items to the Senate floor), it can bring items to the Senate floor for discussion.

2008-2009 Executive Committee members include:
Chris Sadler, Chair, Faculty Senate
Randy Olson, Vice Chair
Vacant, Chair-Elect for 2009-2011
Diane Gillo, Chair, Academic Affairs Committee
Mike Pagel, Chair, Academic Staff Council
Rhonda Sprague, Chair, Curriculum Committee
Alice Keefe, Chair, Faculty Affairs Committee
Patty Caro, Chair, Graduate Council
Michael Williams, Chair, University Affairs Committee
David Henry, Chair, University Personnel Development Committee
Vacant, Chair, University Technology Committee
Eileen Gavinski, Secretary to the Faculty Senate

HOW TO BRING AN ISSUE THROUGH FACULTY GOVERNANCE

An issue or resolution may be brought to the Faculty Senate through a number of approaches. Information regarding how to bring an issue through governance is available in the Faculty Senate Public Folders.

STANDING COMMITTEES

To carry out its duties, Faculty senate committees seek input and give detailed consideration of the issues. Membership on these committees is not restricted to members of the Senate. All committees report to the full Senate for final action. However, some issues reported to the Senate for information are considered final, unless the senate decides to vote on the issue (example: acceptance of new courses). Standing committees whose chairs are elected by the faculty and whose members are appointed by the chair: Academic Affairs Committee; Curriculum Committee; Faculty Affairs Committee; and University Affairs Committee.

Standing committees whose members are elected by the faculty and whose chairs are elected by the members: University Personnel Development Committee; and University Technology Committee.

Standing committees whose members and chair are elected by a specific group of faculty/academic staff:: Academic Staff Council; and Graduate Council.

Information regarding governance standing committees is available in the UWSP Public Folders

BUDGET REVIEW AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Budget Review and Advisory Committee is not a standing committee of the Faculty Senate. It is a specially nominated committee of the Senate to assist the Chancellor, the Line Officers and Deans with advice and information concerning the campus budget and to provide broad campus input into budget decisions. The purpose of the committee is to review the campus budget and consider changes and reallocations as necessary to address budget mandates that come from UW System and the Legislature and adjustments that would be in the best interest of the clientele we serve. Specifically, the committee gives advice when data is presented indicating that it is in our best interests to shift resources to meet growing and changing demands. Those who serve on this committee are expected to maintain confidentiality when addressing potential budget impacts that may affect personnel.

The membership of the committee may be found in the Faculty Constitution (Article XVI).

The Budget Review and Advisory Committee reports to the Chancellor and Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate. Members are expected to provide information of a general nature to their respective governance units to keep them apprised of issues that the committee is addressing. They may not, however, provide confidential information regarding individuals or units possibly impacted by recommendations.

UNIVERSITY HANDBOOK

The University Handbook contains the essential policies, procedures and general information which affects faculty and academic staff employment at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The contents include a wide range of topics dealing with UWSP and the University of Wisconsin System operations.

INTEREST IN SERVING ON FACULTY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES

Faculty and academic staff are encouraged to express an interest in serving on any of the governance committees that include members appointed by the chair of the committee.

Other governance standing committees are either filled through election or with members specified by the Constitution.

Please send an email message to FacultySenateOffice@uwsp.edu if you are interested in serving on one of these committees.