Charter

The University Committee serves as the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, acting on Faculty matters when the Senate is not in session. It advises on educational policy, governance, budget, pay plans, and administrative appointments, and prepares agendas in consultation with the Rules Committee. The committee also receives and refers Faculty grievances and reports regularly to the Faculty Senate.

1. Membership. The committee is composed of the following members:
   1. Seven tenured Faculty members, as follows:
      1. six elected Faculty members;
      2. the President pro tem of the Faculty Senate.
         
         No more than three of the members shall be from a single college.  No more than one member shall be from a single department in a departmentalized school or college.  All UC members are automatically Faculty Senators.
         
         For all regular elections of members to the University Committee, a primary election shall be held.  The final election ballot will contain twice as many nominees as there are individuals to be elected, such nominees to be chosen in descending order from the one who received the greatest number of votes in the primary election.  The provisions above concerning membership distribution shall be honored.
   2. Vacancies in the University Committee membership are to be filled as soon thereafter as possible.  If the vacancy cannot be filled within the regular annual committee elections process as specified in 6.24(1&6), then a special election will be held through preparation of a special slate of nominees by the Nominations Committee and permitting nominations from the University Faculty followed by a ballot.  If the special slate has more than two nominees for an available position, a final election will be conducted as specified in A3.9(1)(a).  The membership that results from the filling of this vacancy will follow the membership composition restrictions of the University Committee with respect to college and departmental affiliation as cited in A3.8 (1) (a).
2. Chair.
   The Committee annually elects a Chair-elect from those having at least one more year to serve as a Committee member.  The Chair-elect serves as Chair the year following the election.
3. Functions.
   1. Serves as the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, and in that capacity performs those functions which may be delegated to it by the Faculty Senate. Takes action representing Faculty interests and prerogatives within the jurisdiction of the Faculty Senate when the Faculty Senate is not in session.  Such actions are reported to the Faculty Senate at its next regular meeting for ratification or other appropriate action.
   2. Examines any actions taken respecting the university by the Board of Regents, the various faculties or Faculty committees, or by other bodies or individuals related to the University Faculty, and makes recommendation as appropriate.
   3. On its own initiative, studies educational policy matters which are within the jurisdiction of the University Faculty and makes recommendations to the Faculty thereon.  To the extent feasible, the committee performs this function in consultation with other appropriate Faculty committees.
   4. On its own initiative, or upon request, advises UWM Administration on the implementation of Faculty action.
   5. Consults with appropriate administrative officers at University level or above on budget matters and reports thereon to the Faculty.
   6. Consults with appropriate administrative officers at University level on pay plan distributions.
   7. In consultation with the Rules Committee prepares the agenda for committee of the whole discussions concerning matters of general interest to the University Faculty.
   8. Makes an annual report at the Faculty Senate’s first regular meeting of the academic year, and regularly submits to the Secretary of the University its minutes on all matters except those matters considered in closed session as permitted by 19.85, Wis. Stats.
   9. Advises the Chancellor on the membership on any Search and Screen Committee which involves the Faculty in making nominations for appointments to major University administrative positions as specified in 6.05, and represents the Faculty on any system wide search and screen procedures.
   10. Advises the Faculty and UWM Administration on those questions concerning the operation of Faculty governance which are within the jurisdiction of the University Faculty.
   11. Receives grievances and complaints by or against members of the Faculty and refers these grievances or complaints to the appropriate Faculty standing committee.
   12. Receive notification within five working days from administrators when they, after conducting preliminary investigations, have grievances or complaints against Faculty member(s) that may lead to discipline.