The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents reconvened Thursday for the first time since July to discuss a variety of matters centered on recent employment and personnel matters affecting the UW System. Those matters were addressed during the regents' Business and Finance Committee hearing.
The regents' discussion of "back-up appointments" and sick and vacation-leave practices was prompted by an over 500-page memo highlighting background information and history of UW's personnel practices and procedures created by UW General Counsel Pat Brady.
"I think for those of us who come to it for the first time, it may seem even more daunting," Brady said.
Brady's account of the current UW personnel practices dates as far back as the turn of the century when, in 1894, UW professor Richard Ely spoke out on labor movements and Christian socialism. The resulting contentious trial contributed to the creating of the American Association of University Professors and, subsequently, the process of faculty tenure.
"All of these cases raised the concern for protecting the employment rights of faculty members," Brady said. The AAUP's model for statutes and rules concerning unclassified employees was similarly used for the UW System.
Brady also outlined UW's processes for limited-appointment faculty, whose form of job security has been the so-called "back-up" system. The system allows individuals in limited-appointment positions to have a fallback position should they lose or opt to leave their position.
"They are terminable at will," Brady said of the limited appointments. "However, as a matter of job security, the positions are protected through back-up appointments."
Regents debated the current UW employment practices, citing the difficulty in expressing employment practices to the public.
"We take very seriously our role and responsibility and will be open, diligent and accountable to our stakeholders," said UW System President Kevin P. Reilly.
Business and Finance Committee members agreed to draft a new resolution to implement recommendations from the board. Regents will decide on the new resolution Friday.
Some suggestions included initiating investigations of university employees soon after charges have been filed, a review of sick-leave and vacation policies and a review of chancellor-compensation packages. It was also suggested the new resolution include a vote to lift the suspension on granting limited appointees rights to another position as part of employment terms.
"We've made big mistakes," said Board of Regents President David Walsh. "There are some instances in which we blew it. We've got to give more direction and we've got to do it right."
In other matters, Reilly announced plans at various UW System campuses aimed at helping Hurricane Katrina victims.
"As communities around the country do their part to aid the victims, I want to thank UW campuses for doing all they can to help these students maintain their footing on the path of higher education," Reilly said. "The Wisconsin Idea is about extending the UW borders to the state, and in this time of disaster, we will extend them to the nation."
Nearly 100 students who were victims of the hurricane have enrolled in the UW System.
In addition, Badger fans were able to raise $60,000 at their season-opener football game and UW-River Falls Chancellor Donald Betz has proposed adopting a damaged campus to aid in reconstruction and rebuilding.
Reilly also referenced an emergency resolution to be passed at Friday's meeting to further help hurricane victims.
