The University Committee discussed a number of important issues this week. Students brought forward a petition that asks the campus to protect undocumented students. A parallel resolution is being brought to the Faculty Senate next week. Chair John Reisel provided an update from last Friday’s UW System Faculty Representatives meeting. This included the status of the Post-Tenure Review documents (six proposals, including UWM’s, are to be considered at Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting), and the proposed changes to the Board policy on PTR (explicitly requiring independent administrative review). An article titled “What Remains of Tenure” on the impact on the BOR policy on tenure protections appeared in Inside Higher Ed this week, with quotes from faculty at Madison and UWM. In addition, the Reps were briefed on the likelihood that concealed carry on campus legislation will be reintroduced in the legislature, and given an update on the activities of the Tuition Task Force.

The UC also considered a situation involving a faculty member who was not allowed by their College to act as an ESL evaluator of a student for whom they are the advisor. Due to the potential conflict of interest, the UC thought that it would be good practice for faculty not to serve as ESL evaluators for their own students.

The UC discussed the potential of a move by Natural Sciences departments to split from the College of Letters & Sciences, and suggested ways that the L&S Dean Search and Screen Committee might want to address this possibility with dean candidates.

Finally, the UC decided tentatively to not meet on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, and to meet on Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, 2017.