The Board of Regents convened for their monthly meeting at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Thursday to discuss accountability, student misconduct and campus safety issues.
The focus of the regents’ initial discussion involved the Voluntary System of Accountabilities and College Portraits — a published report from all 13 four-year UW System universities to provide clear and understandable information to students and parents, including tuition prices and educational opportunities, said Board of Regents Vice President Chuck Pruitt.
Pruitt said the board will take a series of key action steps to further develop and maintain the accountability system.
The regents discussed the guidelines of student misconduct highlighted in UW System policy, which highlights nonacademic misconduct, student due process and privacy rights, the disciplinary process and consequences for misconduct.
According to Giroux, the changes proposed Thursday will go to the full board today to determine whether said changes should be brought to the state Legislature.
The primary focus of this discussion was an amendment to UW System policy pertaining to expulsion or suspension from an academic program instead of from the campus itself.
“The Board of Regents amended that if someone is suspended or expelled from a specific academic program this charge is not appealable to the Board of Regents,” Giroux said.
The board also heard a presentation called “Leading from the Center” from Linda Bunnell, chancellor of host campus UW-Stevens Point.
According to Pruitt, the presentation described the initiatives taken by UW-Stevens Point work with the economic needs of its county.
“UW-Stevens Point is trying to work with local industries and business leaders within the community,” Pruitt said. “They are trying to create training that will enable students to get jobs at the major businesses within the area.”
Pruitt added UW-Stevens Point has had a long history with community outreach initiatives.
“I think they’re responding to the needs of the students and the region,” Pruitt added. “In the case of natural resources, Stevens Point has one of the top sustainability programs in the country.”
Sentry Insurance also announced they would extend their endorsement of the Stevens Point arts program for an additional five years.
According to Pruitt, this endorsement is an example of many privately funded arts programs present at many UW System universities.
“Sentry has been supporting this program for a number of years, and this will just enable it to continue,” Pruitt added. “It has obviously brought great value to the university and the region as a whole.”
The regents’ Business, Finance and Audit Committee heard a presentation from Greg Diemer, UW-Stevens Point vice chancellor for business affairs, providing an overview of the measures that they have taken to ensure safety within its campus.
Diemer’s presentation was supplemented by a talk about the preparation of a “survival mindset,” which was intended to educate UW campuses on how to act in the event of a shooting incident, according to the statement.
UW System budget priorities were also discussed, Giroux said, adding plans discussed Thursday with be voted on at today’s meeting. The board will also hear reports from UW System President John Reilly and Board of Regents President Mark Bradley.
