Board of Regents
October 1998 Minutes of the BOR - University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
of the
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
Madison, Wisconsin
Held in the University Room
UW-Green Bay
Friday, October 9, 1998
9:00 a.m.
Approval of Minutes *
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD *
Report on the September 23, 1998, meeting of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board *
Report on the September 23, 1998, meeting of the Educational Communications Board *
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SYSTEM *
UW-Green Bay Presentation: An Idea for the Knowledge Age *
Status of Higher Education Reauthorization Act *
Good News *
Congratulations to Regent Olivieri *
UW-Oshkosh faculty extend a helping hand to the public schools *
Local communities invest in the UW Colleges *
Chancellor Zimpher named to Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame *
Wisconsin Archives Week *
Dean Aman named 1998 Librarian of the Year *
REPORT OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE *
UW-System: University of Wisconsin System Trust Funds Modifications Of Investment Objectives and Guidelines *
UW System: Principal Expenditure UW System Trust Funds Margaret Julia Kent Bequest *
UW-System: Contractual Agreement with Pharmacia & Upjohn AB *
Pilot Distance Education Funding Policies *
Report of the Vice President *
Annual Gift-in-Kind Report *
Annual Sick Leave Report *
Audit Subcommittee *
Sick Leave Audit Report *
Extended Degree Programs *
Audits in Progress *
Y2k Audit Update *
A-133 Audit Report Presentation *
REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE *
BadgerNet (Joint Session with Business and Finance Committee) *
Consent Agenda *
UW-Colleges: Authorization to Recruit: Campus Dean, UW-Waukesha *
UW-Madsion: Authorization to Recruit: Dean, College of Engineering *
UW-Madison: Authorization to Recruit: Director Division of Information Technology *
UW-Stevens Point: New Program Authorization (implementation) *
B.S./B.A. General Studies *
UW-Madison: Named Professorship Appointment: Howard Burler Distinguished Chair in Chemical Engineering *
Report of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs *
Presentation on UW-Green Way Accomplished Educator Professional Development Certificate *
Business Consortium *
New Program Authorizations *
REPORT OF THE PHYSICAL PLANNING AND FUNDING COMMITTEE *
UW-La Crosse: Authority to Construct a Lauz Hall and White Hall *
Window Replacement *
UW-Madison: Authority to Increase Scope and Budget of Biochemistry/NMR Addition/Instructional Greenhouses Replacement Project *
UW-Milwaukee: Authority to Construct an Engelmann Field *
Athletic Turf Replacement Project *
UW-River Falls: Authority to Construct a Four Residence Halls *
Telecommunications Cabling Project *
UW-Stout: Authority to Expand the Campus Boundary *
UW-Whitewater: Approval of the Design Report and Authority to Construct an Esker Dining Hall Remodeling Project *
UW-Madison: Approval of the Design Report and Authority to *
Increase Scope and Budget of Engineering Centers Project *
Report on Building Commission Actions *
Presentation on Design Process for New $17 million Academic Building at UW-Green Bay *
Comments by the UW-Green Bay Chancellor *
ADDITIONAL RESOLUTIONS *
Resolution of Appreciation to UW-Green Bay *
UNFINISHED OR ADDITIONAL BUSINESS *
Disruption of Speeches *
executive session *
UW-Whitewater: Appointment to Board of Visitors *
UW-Madison: Temporary Base Salary adjustment resulting in a salary above the Executive Salary Group Six maximum *
Student Appeal *
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
of the
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
Madison, Wisconsin
Held in the University Room
UW-Green Bay
Friday, October 9, 1998
9:00 a.m.
- President Orr presiding -
PRESENT: Regents Barry, Benson, Boyle, Brandes, DeSimone, Hempel, James, MacNeil, Marcovich, Mohs, Olivieri, Orr, Randall, Smith, and Staszak
ABSENT: Regents DeBraska and Gottschalk
There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the September 11, 1998, meeting of the Board of Regents were approved as distributed.
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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Report on the September 23, 1998, meeting of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board
The Regents received a written report on the September 23, 1998 meeting of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.
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Report on the September 23, 1998, meeting of the Educational Communications Board
A written report on the September 23, 1998 meeting of the Educational Communications Board was provided to the Regents.
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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SYSTEM
UW-Green Bay Presentation: An Idea for the Knowledge Age
Introducing the presentation, President Lyall noted that the UW-Green Bay idea of an educated person has been the philosophy of education that has guided the campus’ development of its interdisciplinary, problem-focused approach to student learning. This philosophy is reflected in the university’s unique academic program structure and in the development of curricular components designed to anchor students in the breadth and depth of knowledge, insight and understanding, and to give them the skills and tools they will need upon graduation from college.
Chancellor Perkins began his remarks by noting the UW-Green Bay was founded 31 years ago with a commitment to a distinctive learning process that is problem focused and interdisciplinary in nature. The result of that process is expressed as the Green Bay Idea of an educated person – a person who addresses problems and approaches life through multiple perspectives. When faced with a problem or challenge, a UW-Green Bay graduate should raise four fundamental questions: 1) "What do I know that applies to this challenge?" 2) "What is the context of this challenge? What does it mean?" 3) "What abilities and techniques can I use in facing this challenge?" 4) What am I going to do?"
Provost Howard Cohen remarked that the traditional academic program structure is not well suited to realize the Green Bay Idea. Faculty in specific disciplines generally are organized in academic departments and then into divisions or colleges. To bring faculty together to teach an interdisciplinary program would require borrowing faculty from many different departments.
At UW-Green Bay, faculty are organized by topical interdisciplinary program areas. This means that faculty, along with their budgets, curricular homes and evaluations, are housed in interdisciplinary units like Natural and Applied Sciences, Human Biology, Social Change and Development. In those units, they work together to design curricula, develop programs, and evaluate one another. This puts the focus on synthesis and cross-fertilization of ideas.
The attributes of that organizational structure, he continued, also are the attributes of a knowledge age organization. That is, faculty are team oriented; they bring multiple perspectives to the learning experience; and they focus the educational experience on breadth rather than on specialization.
Chancellor Perkins then presented a video with comments on the Green Bay Idea by alumni, students and faculty. Speakers praised UW-Green Bay’s active learning environment, in which faculty engage students from multiple points of view and allow them to see how theory plays out in the real world. Students and alumni expressed appreciation for hands on experience which permitted them to actually do science, instead of just reading about it, and to present papers at national conferences. For example, students, working with faculty, discovered on campus a type of snail that was thought to be extinct since the Ice Age. They also went into the community to help the city make a decision on relocating a fire station, rather than building a new one. It was pointed out that real world issues do not neatly fall into narrow disciplinary categories; instead, they cover and connect a number of them. The Green Bay Idea brings with if four perspectives: 1) Commitment and loyalty to learning; 2) development of skills needed to be successful; 3) open-mindedness to assimilate information from multiple perspectives; and 4) knowledge and capability to proceed with appropriate judgment.
In conclusion, Chancellor Perkins commented that employers are actively seeking students with these broad-based problem-solving capabilities.
Noting that Regents had the opportunity to meet with students at breakfast that morning, Regent MacNeil commented that students’ feelings about the Green Bay Idea were articulately expressed and that the Regents were impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm.
Regent Hempel concurred. She noted, however, that the idea of integrated education might be fairly new to many employers, who were used to hiring people from more traditional programs. She inquired about how UW-Green Bay’s approach was received in the job market.
Chancellor Perkins replied that employers are actively seeking graduates with these kinds of broad-based problem solving capabilities. In today’s world, he noted, the greatest challenges that businesses face concern the enormous amounts of information coming at them. While employers still seek people who are highly specialized, they also are seeking people who have the capacity to move across boundaries and deal with problems in different ways.
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Status of Higher Education Reauthorization Act
President Lyall reported that both the House and Senate passed the Higher Education Act of 1998, and the President signed it into law. The Act, she said, is the result of a broad bipartisan agreement that access to education at affordable prices is essential to the continued welfare of the country.
Pell Grants have been preserved and the maximum grant has been increased from $3,000 to $4,500. Subsequent annual increases will occur through the year 2004, when the maximum grant will reach $5,800. Noting the past decade’s shift in federal financial aid from grants to loans which resulted in growing loan burdens for graduates, President Lyall remarked that the greater availability of Pell Grants will be very important to UW students. Nearly 25,000 students in the UW System receive Pell Grants every year, totaling more than $36 million.
Interest of federal student loans has been reduced from 8.25% to 7.4%. A loan forgiveness provision has been added in the statute for students who become teachers in underserved portions of the country.
$200 million is provided for early intervention and college awareness programs. It encourages state/university partnerships to provide support services to students who are at-risk of dropping out of school; and encourages the provision of information for students who are preparing for post-secondary study. This provision in the federal law, called GEAR UP, fits the UW’s Diversity 2008 initiative by providing some federal dollars to match new state initiatives in this area.
The legislation takes steps to reduce administrative and regulatory burdens. State Postsecondary Review Entities have been eliminated in the new law, and other intrusive federal regulations that would have inserted the federal government into deciding the standards of accrediting agencies have been reduced. At the same time, new reporting requirements have been added in the areas of campus crime, college costs, and teacher preparation.
The legislation establishes a new grant program to improve teacher quality and recruit highly qualified students into teaching.
The legislation urges institutions to take specific steps to combat binge drinking problems in an effort to change the culture of alcohol consumption on college campuses.
The entire Wisconsin Congressional delegation, President Lyall noted, supported the Higher Education Act on final passage. Representative Tom Petri served on the House/Senate conference committee and, along with Representative Ron Kind, he serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which wrote the bill. "We are grateful to all of our state delegation, she said, for supporting so strongly the educational opportunity that our students need."
Congratulations to Regent Olivieri
President Lyall congratulated Regent Olivieri on being selected as Hispanic of the Year. He will be honored at a banquet in Milwaukee later in the month.
UW-Oshkosh faculty extend a helping hand to the public schools
It was reported by President Lyall that UW-Oshkosh Education Dean Don Mocker and 25 faculty colleagues have volunteered to help the Oshkosh public schools meet a shortage of substitute teachers by teaching a variety of subjects and grades from kindergarten to 12th grade. Noting that this will sharpen faculty appreciation for the challenges faced by classroom teachers, she commended the Dean and faculty for this partnership initiative.
Local communities invest in the UW Colleges
President Lyall reported that local communities throughout the state are continuing to invest generously in their UW College campuses. The Fond du Lac County Board has approved $12.9 million for a new library, distance education labs and a new lecture hall for UW-Fond du Lac. Richland County is dedicating an addition to the UW-Richland administration building which houses a new distance education room, multimedia lab, and new student services offices. These kinds of investments, she commented, are evidence of the great value placed on the UW Colleges by their counties and communities.
Chancellor Zimpher named to Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame
President Lyall congratulated UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who had been named by Governor George Voinovich to the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame.
In recognition of Wisconsin Archives Week, President Lyall noted that there were special exhibits throughout the state centered around the theme of maps and land records. Wisconsin’s unique statewide library network, she explained, is the result of close collaborative work among all UW libraries, the Wisconsin Technical College System, the K-12 schools and the public libraries. Over the past decade, they have developed a unified catalog and a statewide lending system that is available to all public and K-12 school libraries with access to the Internet.
Dean Aman named 1998 Librarian of the Year
President Lyall congratulated Mohammed Aman, Dean of the UW-Milwaukee School of Library Science, on being named the 1988 Librarian of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association.
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REPORT OF THE BUSINESS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Regent Hempel, Chair, presented the committee’s report.
Presenting Resolutions 7776-7778, which were unanimously approved by the committee, Regent Hempel moved their adoption by the Board as consent agenda items. The motion was seconded by Regent Marcovich and carried unanimously.
Resolution 7776: That, upon the recommendation of the Regent Business and Finance Committee, the modification of Investment Guidelines to update the foreign equities and foreign fixed income restrictions be approved.
UW System: Principal Expenditure UW System Trust Funds Margaret Julia Kent Bequest
Resolution 7777: That, upon recommendation of the President of the University of Wisconsin System, and the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the principal and income balance of the Margaret Julia Kent Bequest become available for spending.
UW-System: Contractual Agreement with Pharmacia & Upjohn AB
Resolution 7778: That, upon recommendation of the President of the University of Wisconsin System and the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Board of Regents accepts the agreement with Pharmacia & Upjohn AB entitled "Data Analysis Center for the Histopathology Studies of Latanoprost."
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Pilot Distance Education Funding Policies
The Business and Finance Committee and Education Committee, with other Regents invited to attend, met to discuss pilot distance education funding policies and BadgerNet. A proposed action on funding policies was tabled and will be returned to the Board in three months.
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The Committee heard a report from Vice President Bromberg on gifts-in-kind received by UW institutions.
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The Business and Funding Committee heard a report by Senior Vice President David Olien on annual sick leave usage. The report is required because the Legislature initiated a cap on the amount of unused sick leave which can be converted to retiree health insurance unless that cap is waived by meeting certain conditions, including an annual report to the Board. The statistics showed that the usage of sick leave is similar to that reported in previous years.
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It was reported to the Subcommittee that there has been an extensive audit of sick leave usage throughout the UW institutions. The audit recommended some enhancements and clarification to the way that policy is administered across the System.
Audit Director Ron Yates described the status of various other audits, including one of extended degree programs at various institutions, which has led those programs to be administered more efficiently.
Reporting that there are a number of audits in progress, Regent Hempel noted that most of them are programmatic in nature as opposed to simply quantitative audits. These audits, she commented, help the Board to become more comfortable with many of the Legislative and Regent initiatives that are reviewed in this manner. Some of them include library acquisitions, faculty recruitment and retention, competition with the private sector and child care centers.
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The Subcommittee received a progress report on the year 2000 issues facing the System..
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A-133 Audit Report Presentation
Finally, Mr. Yates provided the results of the A-133 Audit which is conducted across not only the UW System but all state agencies in order to comply with federal grant requirements. This audit found that the UW System was in very substantial compliance with the federal program requirements and there were only small amounts of dollars at issue in the outcome of that audit.
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REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Committee’s report was presented by Regent Brandes, Chair.
BadgerNet (Joint Session with Business and Finance Committee)
Following discussion of the proposed distance education funding policy in the joint meeting with the Business and Finance Committee, a report was made to the two committees on the status of Badgernet by Ed Meachen, Associate Vice President for Learning and Information Technology, and David Lois, Information Technology Consultant.
Regent Brandes moved adoption of Resolutions 7779-7783, which had been approved unanimously by the Education Committee, as consent agenda items for action by the Board of Regents. The motion was seconded by Regent Randall and carried unanimously.
UW-Colleges: Authorization to Recruit: Campus Dean, UW-Waukesha
Resolution 7779: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Chancellor be authorized to recruit for a Campus Dean, UW-Waukesha.
UW-Madsion: Authorization to Recruit: Dean, College of Engineering
Resolution 7780: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Chancellor be authorized to recruit for a Dean, College of Engineering, at a salary that exceeds the Executive alary Group Six maximum.
UW-Madison: Authorization to Recruit: Director Division of Information Technology
Resolution 7781: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Chancellor be authorized to recruit for a Director, Division of Information Technology, at a salary that exceeds the Executive Salary Group Six maximum.
UW-Stevens Point: New Program Authorization (implementation)
Resolution 7782: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Chancellor be authorized to implement the B.S./B.A. in General Studies.
Resolution 7783: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the following named professorship be approved, effective July 1, 1998:
Juan de Pablo - -Howard Curler Distinguished Chair in Chemical Engineering
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Report of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Presentation on UW-Green Way Accomplished Educator Professional Development Certificate
Chancellor Mark Perkins introduced the presentation on the UW-Green Bay Accomplished Educator Professional Development Certificate, which was described as an alternative route to becoming a master teacher that is standards-based and student focused. Presenters, who emphasized that a wide variety of individuals collaborated in this project, included Dean Nancy Kaufman, UW-Green Bay College of Professional Studies and Outreach; Catherine Coles, Institute for Learning Partnership; Tom Beattie, Superintendent, Pulaski County School District; Jim Blank, Executive Director, United Northeast Educators Uniserve Unit of WEAC; and Linda Helf, 4th grade teacher, Madison School, Manitowoc School District.
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Dean Joe Domirtz and Dean Alan Hartman, of the UW-Whitewater and UW-Oshkosh Business Schools, respectively, reported on the activities of the Business Consortium. The Consortium has been engaged in such activities as the successful Business Faculty Summer Institute; a range of collaborative educational programs; and numerous alliances with business. Committee members agreed with the recommendation that future reports from the group be provided in writing, with consortium leadership addressing the committee directly on specific programs and issues of interest to the Regents.
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The Education Committee held an initial review of UW-Platteville’s proposed M.S. degree in Project Management, which was described by Professors Donna Perkins and Sheila Yadaz-Olney. The program is being developed in cooperation with the Learning Innovations Center and initially will be offered only via the Internet. On-campus or other modes of presentation will be developed as appropriate. Dawn Drake, Director of UW-Platteville’s Distance Education Center, stated that the program will be marketed through Learning Innovations, Internet advertising, the Virtual University Gazette, in promotional visits to Wisconsin businesses, and on the program’s Internet site. Approximately 30% of the program revenue will be shared with Learning Innovations when the program is profitable; and Learning Innovations will continue to receive these funds after initial start-up costs are paid. Two hundred businesses were surveyed and responded very positively to the offering of this program.
REPORT OF THE PHYSICAL PLANNING AND FUNDING COMMITTEE
The Committee’s report was presented by Regent Barry, Chair.
Regent Barry presented Resolutions 7784-7789, which were unanimously approved by the Committee, and moved their adoption by the Board of Regents. The motion was seconded by Regent Mohs and carried unanimously.
UW-La Crosse: Authority to Construct a Lauz Hall and White Hall
Resolution 7784: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-La Crosse Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, authority be granted to construct a Laux Hall and White Hall Window Replacement Project at an estimated total project cost of $309,400 Program Revenue Cash.
Resolution 7785: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-Madison Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, authority be granted to increase the scope of work and project budget for the Biochemistry/NMR Addition/Instructional Greenhouses Replacement project by $6,900,000 Gift/Grant funds for a revised total project budget of $45,148,000 ($17,250,000 of General Fund Supported Borrowing – WISTAR Matching Funds and $27,898,000 of Gift/Grant Funds).
UW-Milwaukee: Authority to Construct an Engelmann Field
Athletic Turf Replacement Project
Resolution 7786: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-Milwaukee Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, authority be granted to construct an Engelmann Field Athletic Turf Replacement project at an estimated total project cost of $230,000 - Program Revenue.
UW-River Falls: Authority to Construct a Four Residence Halls
Telecommunications Cabling Project
Resolution 7787: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-River Falls Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, authority be granted to construct a Four Residence Halls Telecommunications Cabling project at an estimated total project cost of $420,000 of Program Revenue Cash.
UW-Stout: Authority to Expand the Campus Boundary
Resolution 7788: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-Stout Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, authority be granted to expand the campus boundary on the north campus, to include six parcels of land.
Resolution 7789: That, upon the recommendation of the UW-Whitewater Chancellor and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Design Report be approved and authority be granted to construct an Esker Dining Hall Remodeling project, for an estimated total project cost of $2,387,000 Program Revenue Supported Borrowing.
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Moving adoption of Resolution 7790, Regent Barry noted that the Committee was supportive of moving the project forward as rapidly as can be accomplished. The motion was seconded by Regent Smith and adopted unanimously.
UW-Madison: Approval of the Design Report and Authority to
Increase Scope and Budget of Engineering Centers Project
Resolution 7790: That authority be granted to proceed with design of the Engineering Centers project and return to the Board of Regents for authority to construct.
Report on Building Commission Actions
Assistant Vice President Nancy Ives reported on eight UW System projects totaling nearly $17 million that were approved at the September State Building Commission meeting.
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Presentation on Design Process for New $17 million Academic Building at UW-Green Bay
Regent Barry reported that the Committee heard an excellent presentation on the design process being used for the new Academic Building at UW-Green Bay. Funding of $17 million will be available in July 1999. The project design used the Charette process, which involves an intensive interaction between designers and the university community. The focus is not only on constructing a high quality building, but also on building a sense of commitment within the university community to the goal that the building is being designed to achieve.
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Comments by the UW-Green Bay Chancellor
Chancellor Mark Perkins shared with the Physical Planning and Funding Committee comments on some of UW-Green Bay’s unique programs, including the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, and UW-Green Bay’s approach to construction of student housing through a 501(c)(3) process.
In response to a question by Regent Randall at the Board meeting, Regent Barry explained that when UW-Green Bay was founded in the 1960s, funding was not made available for provision of student housing. The need was filled in 1970 by a private sector project which provided housing for about 500 students. This housing was acquired in 1980 by the university. To address the need for additional housing, the university created a 501(c)(3) foundation, to which it transferred 40 acres of land. The foundation constructed residential facilities for students, both in traditional dormitory style and, more recently, in suite configuration. The advantage to this process is that it can construct a building much more rapidly than going through the state process. Costs to students are competitive with other university housing systems.
Regent Brandes inquired about maintenance of the housing, to which Regent Barry responded that maintenance was managed by UW-Green Bay.
Regent Mohs added that he had been part of a discussion about student life and that students commented very positively about campus housing. Their only concern was that it is prioritized for freshmen and sophomores and that juniors and seniors are only admitted on a lottery basis. Their comments indicated that there is a demand for more housing to accommodate upper-class students.
Regent Randall inquired about responsibility for overall operation of student housing. Chancellor Perkins replied that the resident life program is entirely the responsibility of the university and is done under contract with the foundation. The foundation’s sole purpose is to provide funding for construction.
Regent President Orr commended the Green Bay community and all involved in developing this innovative approach to providing much needed student housing.
Turning to the Chancellor’s comments about the Weidner Center, Regent Barry noted that the Center is an example of a program revenue operation that generates significant economic impact to the community – approximately $20 million annually in receipts. This situation, he said, brings up an issue of governance in the context of state budgetary control, with the ability to manage fund balances not being as clear as the campus would like. This has implications for the community at large, which is the major stakeholder in the operation, with state investment in the facility being much less than community and donor investments. For that reason, he felt the Weidner Center should be considered for greater operational flexibility in the future.
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Regent Hempel presented the following resolution, which was adopted by acclamation.
Resolution of Appreciation to UW-Green Bay
Resolution 7791: Whereas, the Board of Regents is very pleased to have been invited to hold the October 8 and 9, 1998, meetings at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; and
Whereas, this visit has been enriched by the interesting tour of the campus that was provided on Thursday morning; the opportunity to talk with campus and community leaders at the reception and dinner Thursday evening; and the special performance at the beautiful Weidner Center for the Performing Arts; and
Whereas, the opportunity to join UW-Green Bay students at a breakfast meeting and discuss a number of important topics with them was particularly appreciated; and
Whereas, the Board’s meetings were enhanced by informative presentations on the Professional Development Certificate to the Education Committee; on UW-Green Bay’s new academic building to the Physical Planning and Funding Committee; and on An Idea for the Knowledge Age at the Board of Regents meeting; and
Whereas, the gracious hospitality extended by Chancellor and Mrs. Perkins; faculty and staff; and the entire Green Bay community is deeply appreciated;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System hereby extends deep appreciation to UW-Green Bay and all those involved in making the Board’s visit a truly enjoyable and educational experience.
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UNFINISHED OR ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Regent Barry pointed out that recently there had been an invited speaker at UW-Madison who found it impossible to proceed due to disruption by the audience. Over time, there had been other cases like that, not confined to one campus. Noting that the Chancellor and Faculty are addressing the matter, he said he would follow those deliberations with interest and with support for the plaque on Bascom Hill that speaks eloquently of the importance of freedom of inquiry.
Regent Mohs cited another disruptive incident – the 150th anniversary of the founding of the UW-Madison, at Which Governor Thompson was invited to speak. While he delivered his thoughtful remarks over the voices of hecklers, there were people in the audience who were unable to hear him. In the case of the speech by California Regent Ward Connerly, to which Regent Barry referred, hecklers prevented him from even giving his remarks. Only after a negotiated settlement was the speaker allowed to respond to questions. The result, Regent Mohs commented, was that the speaker’s thoughts were lost and people who had come to listen could not hear them. He also expressed the hope that the faculty and administration would consider a more effective way to provide leadership to students, many of whom are searching for the right thing to do, about how to be an effective citizen in a democratic society.
Regent Smith commented that the interpretation of rights guaranteed under the First Amendment is continually reviewed in different times according to different circumstances. He agreed with Regent Mohs and Barry and supported the work being done by the Faculty and administration.
Regent Staszak cautioned that not all people involved in the disruptions were students.
President Lyall noted that the Faculty Senate intended to bring action options to their next meeting. She concurred that this is a time where leadership is needed to get people to revisit the meaning of free speech and to rethink how important that is to the campuses and the learning environment.
At 10:05 a.m., the Board recessed for 15 minutes. The Board reconvened in open session at 10:20 a.m., at which time Regent Smith moved adoption of the following resolution. The motion was seconded by Regent Randall and adopted on a unanimous roll-call vote, with Regents Boyle, Brandes, DeSimone, Hempel, James, MacNeil, Marcovich, Olivieri, Randall, Smith, Staszak, and Orr voting in the affirmative (12). There were no dissenting votes and no abstentions.
Resolution 7792: That, the Board of Regents recess into closed session, to consider appointments to the UW-Whitewater Board of Visitors, to consider honorary degree nominations at UW-Madison, to consider a student appeal from a UW-Madison decision, and to consider naming of a facility after a person at UW-Green Bay, as permitted by S.19.85(1)(f), Wis. Stats.; to consider a salary adjustment at UW-Madison, as permitted by S.19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats; to discuss competitive matters as permitted by S.19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats., and to confer with legal counsel, as permitted by S.19.85(1)(g), Wis. Stats.
The Board arose from Executive session at 10:45 a.m. having adopted the following resolutions:
UW-Whitewater: Appointment to Board of Visitors
Resolution 7793: That, upon the recommendation of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor and the president of the University of Wisconsin System, the following re-appointments be made to the UW-Whitewater Board of Visitors for terms ending in 2001:
Dr. Fannie Hicklin
Mrs. Fern Young
Resolution 7794: That, upon recommendation of the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the President of the University of Wisconsin System, the Board approves a temporary base salary adjustment, effective October 1, 1998, for Anders Andren, Director of the Sea Grant Institute and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, resulting in a salary of A$134,651.
Resolution 7795: That, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Student Discipline and Other Student Appeals, the Board of Regents adopts the attached Decision in the matter of a student appeal from a UW-Madison decision.
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Judith A. Temby, Secretary