Joint Restructuring Team Meeting

April 2, 2018

2 p.m. University Center 259A

The meeting began with self-introductions.

Smith reviewed the process for approvals for the proposal for a new college. That process included vetting by the Joint Restructuring Team, the UW-W Faculty Senate, the UW-Rock County Collegium, the Rock County Board (for naming of the campus), followed by presentation to UW System.

Grace Crickette presented and explained the budget available for hiring at the branch campus. This budget is included in the Draft Proposal.

Crickette noted that there were three sources of funds:

  1. UW Rock County Red Book Campus Budget (funds salaries, services, supplies)
  2. Regional Campus Budget (funds available for hiring personnel)
  3. Central funds – will be dispersed to receiving institution by System over time (we recently received a small amount for a recruiting position)

Rock has no debt service. The campus and Rock County both deserve thanks for their fiscal stewardship. Crickette noted that the buildings and grounds are maintained at very high standard. This year, there is a small budget shortfall from tuition (hopefully covered by redistribution of UW Colleges Central funds).

The UW Colleges Central office continues budget control through June 30, 2019.

Vacancies exist in the campus budget. What should those funds be used for? Should the funds be used for the same positions as previously or different ones?

Total available for hiring at this point is approximately $460,000 for salary plus monies for fringe.

Provost Elrod opened a discussion of the organization structure and draft college proposal.

The Provost noted that hiring is constrained by the budget available.

She reviewed the principles used in reviewing the organization structure.

Under Department of Education standards, the new branch campus will be named University of Wisconsin – Whitewater – Rock County. This name, though it is the DoE requirement, need not be the same name as is applied to branding the campus or the college.

Two additional names are likely needed. One would be the branding name for the branch campus (on signage and materials for recruiting, etc.). The other is the name of the academic college as it joins with other colleges on the main campus.

New academic college: College of Integrated Arts & Sciences proposed (for draft purposes, still to be reviewed). Elrod suggested that academic college name suggest discipline and programs.

The organization chart showed these aspects:

A dean would haveoversight for the campus and would be dean over both the branch campus and continuing education programs (which might have a different name).

One academic department would be created to oversee tenure/promotion. The chair would have a half-time release and a stipend, just as department chairs on main campus.

The three divisions remain but likely by another name, e.g., academic areas.

A full time Associate Dean for Administrative and Student Services would serve on the branch campus.

Additional positions would be a recruiter and an additional advisor or student services professional along with an administrative/facilities position.

Elrod reviewed the definition for a branch campus as defined by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The dean reports to the provost on the main campus. The title would be akin to:

Dean of Integrated Arts & Sciences and Continuing Education.

The group discussed roles of department chairs at main campus, hiring, reviews, scheduling, etc.

The proposal indicates that hiring authorities will be the department chair and dean.

There may be a need for additional academic department associate assistance. At this junction, only one associate position supports the campus leadership except for one LTE. This associate performs many duties including inputting the timetable, budgeting, room reservations, etc.

The proposal has no mention of technology support at this point. Pokot noted the logic of getting support and funding from UW Colleges Central office.

Naming:

Travis noted that “Integrated Arts and Sciences” is too close to existing L&S name and could be confusing to HR and students.

College of Integrated Studies (proposed)

Discussion of tuition ensued – maybe driven by program and secondarily by location. Further conversations at System level are going on

Further conversations surfaced about curriculum and faculty interactions and affiliations with disciplines and functions.

No communication staffingis available at the branch campus. Many needs exist for materials and Briggs noted an urgency to have names approved for development of recruiting materials. Based on new information, the branch website will also have to be absorbed sooner than originally expected.

University of Wisconsin – Whitewater at Rock County was suggested as the campus branding name.

The names will be discussed inthe Rock County Collegium.

Does the department need a separate name from the college?

Is the division name currently“Arts and Humanities” rather than simply“Humanities”? Duckwitz will check and follow up.

Next meeting April 19, from 9 – 11 a.m. in University Center 259A.

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