UMM Consultative Committee Meeting Date: 9-29-03 Members present: Joyce Amborn (replaces Nancy Helsper), Brenda Boever, Kevin Ely, Bart Finzel, Lee Korby, Margaret Kuchenreuther, Michelle Page (chair), Jeff Ratliff-Crain (XO), David Wuolu and Mary Zosel Absent: Reginald Davis, Kt Schwaderer, Rebecca Webb Visitor: Chancellor Sam Schuman U of M System Home Page: A working draft of a letter regarding the redesign of the U of M homepage effectively eliminating a system-wide page was distributed for later discussion. When asked his opinion of such an effort Schuman said that he believes a protest coming from all four of the coordinate campuses would be more effective than a response solely from the UMM campus. Strike Plan: Schuman was invited to the meeting to discuss UMM's plans for action in the event of a strike by the AFSME Clerical union. He responded that he could reveal few details, but could say that if there is a strike there would be a strike plan. Since negotiations are system-wide, planning for a strike occurs for the system with some specifics for individual campuses. It is the intention of the University to remain open and to make students the top priority. He hopes that some kind of agreement can be worked out. Because state union contracts at coming up at the same time, failure to reach agreements has the potential to be very disruptive. Underlying principles of the University's response to a strike include: 1) those not on strike cannot participate in sympathy strikes 2) no cancelled classes, closed residence halls, etc. 3) pickets would be near campus entrances, not at the doors of academic buildings In response to a question about whether faculty could choose to hold their classes off campus, Schuman responded that it would be very hard to police this sort of action but that it could cause problems for students that had tightly scheduled courses if they had to travel to and from an off-campus location for class meetings. Consultative Committee Plan of Work: Schuman was asked if he had ideas about issues the Consultative Committee should address this year. He suggested the following: 1) The Executive Committee has referred a proposal from the Faculty Development Committee to create a new Faculty Affairs Committee. He suggests that the Consultative Committee consider this proposal carefully. He feels that it is already sometimes hard to see how the missions of the Consultative Committee and the Campus Resources and Planning Committee are different. Adding a Faculty Affairs Committee could further complicate the issue. Therefore, if a new committee is created mission differentiation is important. 2) He and Dean Schwaller will come to the Consultative Committee in a month or so with ideas about faculty salary improvement. Since it is clear that UMM cannot rely on the legislature or central administration for the money necessary to keep salaries competitive, UMM must come up with other ways. Effects of Budget Cuts: The Chancellor was asked if he sees a role for the Consultative Committee in providing data about the effects of the budget cuts, given that there is grumbling in the community about lost job, etc. He responded by saying that the Budget Task Force passed on discussing individual positions to cut and left that to managers He acknowledges that the positions which have been cut are terrible losses in human terms, and stressed that the administration has been able to mitigate some of the harm to individuals by targeting positions where there was a retirement or by shifting the duties of an employee whose job was eliminated. He doesn't believe that UMM can "cut its way to greater strength and efficiency," as some would argue, because we already have a bare-bones operation. The administration is trying to monitor the implication of the cuts. If the Consultative Committee could suggest constructive ideas about how to ease the difficulties caused by these cuts, he would be open to them. Within two weeks he should have figures about the current effects of enrollment numbers, the hiring freeze, etc. and will then be in a position to decide whether or not it will be necessary to reconvene the Budget Task Force to discuss further cuts. The Big Idea: One member wondered about the state of the Big Idea since there has been little official communication about it this year. Schuman says he feels that it is his job to find financial support for the program and the job of others to keep planning. He notes that he has found the money to begin the pilot program. Most of it was given to the Capital Campaign's strategic initiatives fund to launch new academic programs. The amount in this fund totals approximately one-twentieth of the Campaign's income. His tactic for funding the program is not to look at traditional UMM funding sources but rather to find people who are interested in funding an initiative like The Big Idea and attract them to support UMM's program. Schuman said that he does not want to lock the program in institutionally during the planning phase. Therefore, it will stay in his office until proven. Then it will switch to the auspices of Academic Affairs. He has informed the Admissions Office that they can begin to recruit for the first experimental group of 60 students. A survey is currently being drafted to help decide where the first group will go, etc. Schuman will come to the next Consultative Committee meeting to continue discussion about The Big Idea.