Ward explains out-of-state changes

Out-of-state admissions and the developing proposal for a College for the Arts that would merge together departments from different colleges within the university were highlighted at a meeting of the Faculty Senate Monday night.

University of Wisconsin Interim Chancellor David Ward addressed FS members regarding the issue of a slight excess of out-of-state students in the incoming freshman class.

Ward said numbers are slightly more than the UW policy, which has stated only 25 percent of students can be from outside of the state. He said this created a discussion with the Office of Admissions and the Board of Regents that suggested UW is one of the only institutions in the Big Ten with restrictions on out-of-state enrollment.

As a result, the limit of 25 percent was raised to 27.5 percent, Ward said.

Due to the size of high school classes, Ward said the number of entering UW freshmen are declining. According to Ward, admissions will therefore benefit from an increased allotment of out-of-state students because it provides for more flexibility.

Ward said the out-of-state to in-state proportion must be carefully considered from a revenue point of view. He said he doubts they will meet the 27.5 percent limit, but nevertheless, that facility will be provided by the Board of Regents.

“[A] significant minority of the Regents actually want to remove any regulation whatsoever,” Ward said.

University Committee Chair Mark Cook spoke about updates on the proposed College of the Arts. Though more information will come out on this in the March, April and May FS meetings, Cook said he wanted to discuss a few highlights.

Cook cited the examples of increased visibility and voice on campus, the belief of being able to improve the ability of the arts to raise money, the need to unify the arts and improved resources as reasons why UW needs a College of the Arts.

“For decades, this has been discussed,” Cook said.

In 1998, Cook said an art institute was created to begin this process and in 2008, a group of faculty began to develop a strategic plan. Then, in 2010 and 2012, the process became more formal, Cook added.

According to Cook, art and dance from the School of Education and music and theater from the College of Letters and Science, are participants at this time.

Cook said they hope to engage the FS in a full discussion on a proposed College of the Arts by April. Following, Cook said, the proposal would have to go to the Board of Regents.

Cook also talked about an ad hoc committee on diversity planning. He said this committee is separate from the Campus Diversity and Climate Committee and is there to develop a comprehensive proposal for a new diversity plan for UW’s campus.

Also, as promised at the last meeting when the framework for the Human Resources Design was approved, Cook said UC has put together an advisory committee for HR Design’s implementation.

According to Cook, this committee will consist of two faculty, two academic staff, two classified staff and one student. He said this committee is in progress, with all but one member identified.

FS also conducted memorial resolutions for 10 professors and associate professors.

Finally, FS heard annual reports from representatives of the Campus Planning Committee, the Committee on Committees, Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Committee, the Lectures Committee, PROFS and the Committee on Undergraduate Recruitment, Admissions and Financial Aid on each group’s accomplishments from last year.

FS will hold their next meeting March 4.