|
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
College of Letters and Science
Letters and Science Faculty
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
Special Meeting Minutes
- Call to Order -- Professor Campbell Tatham called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm in BUS N140. Seventy-two members of the Faculty were present at the start of the meeting; 51 were needed for a quorum.
- Election of Chair -- It was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously to elect Cam Tatham to chair the special meeting.
- Approval of Agenda -- An alternative agenda (copy attached) was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
- New Business
- Discussion of an L&S Faculty Recommendation to the Provost for the Appointment of Dean of the College of Letters and Science
Jack Johnson described the purpose of the meeting, noting that it provided an opportunity to listen to views of members of the Faculty concerning the dean candidates. He emphasized that this meeting was not intended to replace the submission to the Provost of individual comments.
Provost John Wanat spoke briefly, indicating that he welcomed the process chosen by the Faculty to provide an open and frank exchange of ideas, issues, and concerns relating to the appointment of a new dean. He outlined some of the constraints under which he had to work in addressing the search committee's recommendations. He also indicated that he had received a number of messages urging that he appoint Richard Meadows as dean. In order to consider that appointment, he stated, Richard first would have to be promoted to full professor. In addition, he would need to determine if Richard was willing to serve as dean, given that he had not applied for the position during the current search.
Jack Johnson stated that several people had discussed this possibility with Richard, and that he indicated his willingness to serve if it should be decided that his appointment was the appropriate action for the Provost to take.
There was a brief review of the criteria that the Academic Program Committee had recommended for the first dean search. Members of the search committee for the current search were asked if the candidates had been reviewed in the context of a budget crisis when the finalists were selected. Jack Johnson, who was a member of that committee, indicated that the budget crisis did not exist and that time, and the committee did not consider it. Some individuals noted that many science faculty members were very disappointed in the final pool of candidates, particularly since the College's deans for the past several decades have come from the humanities or social sciences. Numerous individuals expressed reservations about all the finalists for the position.
A resolution by the Academic Planning Committee had been submitted to the Secretary to the L&S Faculty and circulated to the Faculty via email. The Secretary assigned it Fac. Doc. No. 609. Individuals handed out at the meeting copies of a very similar resolution passed by the L&S Chairs and Directors.
It was moved and seconded to vote by secret, unsigned ballots on any motions that might be made. After some discussion, the motion was approved on a voice vote.
It was moved and seconded that the Faculty adopt the resolution proposed by the L&S Chairs and Directors. The Secretary assigned the resolution Fac. Doc. No. 609-Substitute since the original Fac. Doc. No. 609 had not been moved. After some discussion, the Secretary distributed paper ballots. Ballots were completed, and the Secretary collected them and tallied the results. The motion to adopt Fac. Doc. 609-Substitute passed by a vote of 85 ayes, 7 nays, and 1 abstention. The Secretary was directed to deliver the resolution to Provost Wanat as soon as possible.
While the vote was being tallied, Margo Anderson noted that the turnout at this meeting was an indication of the willingness of the Faculty to get involved when significant issues arose.
- Adjournment (no later than 5:00 p.m.) -- The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Connie Jo
Secretary to the L&S Faculty
cc: Secretary of the University
Substitute Agenda
|
·