Academic Staff
Academic Staff Governance Update
Current Issues being addressed by all committees:
Budget Repair Bill
As you’ve likely heard, within the governor’s budget repair bill, you can expect to see increased contributions to your retirement and health insurance. Of importance to note is not only can you expect to see your health insurance monthly premium go up, but starting 01 January 2012, there will be a new copay structure as well. Below are a couple of resources for you to check out to help better understand the changes:
- A 20 minute online presentation and Powerpoint by the Department of Employee Trust Funds explaining the Health Plan changes
- A publication from UW System explaining Budget Repair bill FAQs
- A publication from the Office of Human Resources addressing the Health Plan changes
New Personnel System
A committee has been assembled to work on a new personnel system specifically for UW Madison. Currently they are working on drafting the guiding principles behind a new system. A final version of the principles is expected to be available by next month’s assembly meeting. What ideas do you have for a new UW-Madison personnel system?
New Chancellor
What qualities do you want to see in a new chancellor? Your academic staff representatives want to know so we can provide your feedback to the search and screen committee.
If you have input regarding any of the above issues, please let an academic staff representative know! If you would like to communicate with all of us, an email group for all SSEC representatives has been established. Also please bear in mind that the meetings for ASA, ASEC, and CASI are open to the public, so you are welcome to attend and voice your thoughts anytime.
Committee Specific Reports:
ASA report (your reps are: Wayne Feltz, Mat Gunshor, Denny Hackel, Jean Phillips, Dave Tobin, Mark Werner):
ASA meets from September through May. Meetings are resuming soon! In the meantime, the Academic Staff Communications Committee is collecting stories about how are the state budget cuts affecting you? Feel free to contact any of the ASA reps to tell your story!
ASEC report:Wayne Feltz has ended his participation within the ASEC committee. SSEC currently does not have any employees on the committee, but Denny Hackel has agreed to attend the weekly meetings when he is able to and provide reports.
Graduate School CASI August Report in brief (your reps are: Wayne Feltz, Jenny Hackel):The current and future status of Graduate School administration was discussed with Dean Cadwallader. The search for the Vice Chancellor for Research/Dean of the Graduate School has been called off until a new chancellor is named. This is because of the unique relationship of that position with the Chancellor and Provost. Martin Cadwallader's former position of Dean of the Graduate School with the working title of Vice Chancellor for Research has been eliminated. He has been appointed as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research/Dean of the Graduate School until a new chancellor is named and the search can resume. All other current campus job openings are proceeding.
Additionally, the SSEC climate survey was discussed as a successful endeavor and recommended to other Graduate School centers. District 3 representative Nicci Schmidt (Waisman Center) suggested the addition of a survey question to describe "how are you creating ambassadors?" to explain to our sponsors how we effectively utilize funding. The question would also serve as a discussion point for each department for promoting "The Year of the Wisconsin Idea" on campus.
For full detailed GS CASI meeting notes or discussion of concerns, please contact either Wayne Feltz or Jenny Hackel.
