I. Faculty & Staff top

A. Chairperson

 

1. Duties. (As defined in Chapter 4, Article 4.07 UWM
Policies and Procedures). The Chairperson of the
Department has the following duties:

a. Serves as the official channel of communications
for all matters affecting the department as a whole
between the department and the President, the
Chancellor, the Dean, other University officials
or departments.

b. Calls meetings of the Departmental faculty and
of the Executive Committee at his/her own initiative
or at the request of any two members of the respective
bodies, presides over the meetings, transmits minutes
of the Departmental and Executive Committee meetings
to the appropriate Dean, to the Secretary of the
University, and to the Departmental and Executive
Committee members and maintains such minutes in
department files.

(Fac. Doc. 984, May 4, 1976; Regents approved July, 1976).

c. Has charge of all official correspondence of the
department, and of all departmental announcements
in the catalogue or other University publications.

d. Determines that all necessary records of
meetings, teaching, research and public service
of the Department are properly kept and are
always accessible to the proper authorities.

(Fac. Doc. 984, May 4, 1976; Regents approved July, 1976).

e. Reports to the Dean regarding the activities and
needs of the Department.

f. Has responsibility for all departmental supplies.

g. Submits new courses, major revisions of existing
courses, and deletion of courses proposed by the
Department for action by the appropriate course
committee and the Dean.

h. Takes action, in the case of emergency,
pending a meeting of the Departmental
Executive Committee.

i. In general, acts as the executive of the Department.

 

2. Method of Appointment.

a. All members of a department faculty, including
those who are designated, in accordance with 4.02,
as being eligible to vote by the Departmental Executive
Committee, shall be given the opportunity to register
an individual preference for departmental chairperson.
Departments may authorize a preliminary procedure
of nominating a limited number of candidates for
departmental chair. Such individual preferences
shall be communicated to the Dean in due course
following the request of the respective deans for same.

(Fac. Doc. 1203, 4/17/80 University Administration approval, 4/22/80).

b. The method of expression of individual preferences
must include the use of a written ballot, which may
be a mail ballot.

c. In all cases, the individual preference ballots
shall be received by a departmental faculty
member(s) designated by the department
who shall forward all individual preference
ballots to the Dean. Where the department
authorizes, the individual preference ballots
may be examined by designated faculty
member(s) for the purpose of informing
the department of the individual
preferences indicated.

d. A departmental faculty member on leave may
express a preference provided the expression
is not accomplished through a substitute person.

e. The Dean shall exercise the authority to appoint
a Chairperson from among the members of the
department holding professorial rank provided:

1. The Dean has received and examined the
individual preferences noted by the eligible
members of the department.

2. The Dean has consulted with the Chancellor.

3. Consultation between the Dean and the
departmental faculty shall occur where the
Dean exercises his/her discretion to decline
the preference recommendations of the faculty
members of a department.

4. Consultation between the Dean and both the
departmental faculty and the University Committee
shall occur when the Dean contemplates appointment
of an individual who is not a member of the faculty of the
department.

f. The term of office of a departmental chairperson is one year,
but there is no limit upon the number of terms he/she may serve.

(Fac. Doc. 1028, 5/12/77; Regents approved July, 1977).

 

3. Voting Procedures and Benefits.

a. Departmental preference voting for Chairperson will
be a two-step process. (Adopted by the Faculty, Feb. 25, 1983).
 

1. Step I. NOMINATION.

Departmental meeting to accept nominations.
All nominations must have the consent of the
faculty member they intend to nominate. A
slate of candidates will then be established
and distributed to all faculty.

 
2. Step II. BALLOTING.

Balloting will take place two weeks after
the Nominating Meeting and will entail the
distribution to all qualified faculty of a written
ballot that will be due within two days after
distribution. Ballots will be opened, tallied and
forwarded to the Dean. The Art Department will
be notified of the results of the vote as soon as
they are tallied.

b. The Chairperson’s teaching assignment per annual
year will be one three-credit course; it is the decision
of the Chair to teach the courses either during the
regular semester or during the summer session.

c. As an additional reward for the extra responsibilities
accompanying the position of Chairperson, in the
first semester following his/her years of service,
a one-class released time for each year of service
will be granted upon leaving the Chair position.

d. The Chairperson will be awarded automatic
merit equivalent to that of the highest award
category (T,R,S).
(Items 2,3 and 4 above were adopted by the Faculty, March 1, 1985).

 

B. Associate Chair

 

1. Duties.

a. Attends to departmental communication, both
external and internal.

b. Aids the faculty in the area of research support
and identifies resources for the development of their
own work and that of their students.

c. Informs Chair of issues he/she may not be directly
involved with personally.

d. When required, serves as representative of the
Chair at meetings and functions.

e. When called upon by the Chair, prepares and
presents specific reports for the Faculty and
Executive Committee.

f. Attends to matters of curriculum, as particularly
(but not only) related to matters of new courses or
programs.

g. Responsible for summer session programming
and staffing.

h. Serves as coordinator of Departmental Committee
activities.

 

2. Method of Appointment.

a. Appointed annually by the Chairperson.

b. The Associate Chair will receive one course
released time from teaching per semester in order
to fulfill his/her responsibilities.

II. UWM Procedures & Policies top

A. Chapter IV

 

1. 4.01 Department: Defined.

a. A department shall consist of faculty members with a common
or closely related disciplinary or mission oriented interest. Schools or
colleges not organized into departments shall operate as departments
or organize into appropriate sub-units for the purpose of Chapter 4.

 

2. 4.02 Department Faculty: Membership.

a. All Persons holding appointments in a department at the rank of
professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor, and
as determined by the Departmental Executive Committee, departmental
academic staff with training, experience and responsibility comparable
to those in the faculty ranks shall have the right to vote or participate
otherwise in departmental faculty meetings, provided that this rule
shall not be construed to withdraw any membership understanding
or arrangements in effect at the time this rule was adopted.
(As adopted by UWM Administration 5/20/88).

 

3. 4.03 Department Faculty: Functions.

a. The immediate government of the department is vested
in its departmental faculty (as defined in Sec. 4.02), which
has jurisdiction over all the interests of the department,
with authority to determine all departmental questions
of educational and administrative policy, other than
those matters which are vested in the departmental
Executive Committee by Sec. 4.05. The faculty of the
department shall be responsible for teaching, research,
and public service. Each department shall meet at least
once each semester.

 

4. 4.04 Departmental Executive Committee: Membership.

a. Each department has an Executive Committee, consisting
of all full-time members of the Department who are professors
or associate professors, and as determined by the Executive
Committee at the time of appointment with tenure, and any
person holding a part-time appointment as a tenured professor
or tenured associate professor, provided that this rule shall not
be construed to withdraw any membership understandings or
arrangements in effect at the time this rule was adopted, and
provided further that all persons holding multiple or part-time
appointments at the ranks of professor or associate professor
shall be entitled to membership in at least one departmental
Executive Committee. If the University Faculty so provides,
assistant professors with tenure may have membership on
departmental Executive Committees.

b. Members of the Departmental Executive Committee who are
on leave may participate in its decisions insofar as participation
is feasible in the judgment of the Executive Committee.

c. The Department Executive Committee may designate a member
of the Department to serve as secretary, and determine the duties
of the position.

 

5. 4.05 Departmental Executive Committee: Functions.

a. Written criteria for decisions relating to renewal of
appointments or recommending of tenure shall be made
in accordance with University rules and procedures requiring
an evaluation of teaching, research, and professional and
public service and contribution to the University. The relative
importance of these functions in the evaluation process shall
be decided by the Departmental Executive Committee. A
statement incorporating the written criteria and the relative
importance of the indicated functions shall be distributed to
all members of the Department and to the appropriate Dean.

1. In case of disagreement between a department and
an administrator over specific programmatic or budgetary
decisions regarding open faculty positions and positions
occupied by probationary faculty, advice may be sought
by either from the Academic Planning Committee of the
school or college. (2.03(11) (c)).

2. A department in which a position is to be eliminated may
request the Dean to reconsider the decision. This request must
be made within ten (10) working days of receipt of notification
of the decision. The Dean shall respond to the Department
within ten (10) working days.

b. The Executive Committee may, by annual vote, delegate
to a smaller committee, or to the Chairperson, the authority
to make recommendations with respect to any or all of the
following matters:

1. salaries.
2. non-tenure appointments.
3. appointment or promotion of classified personnel.
4. appointment of assistants.
5. equipment and supplies.

(Doc. 909, 2/27/75; UWM Administration approval, 3/29/75;
Regent approval, 3/5/76)

(Doc. 990, 5/4/76; UWM Administration approval, 12/19/77;
Regent approval, 7/14/78)

(Doc.1321 revised, 4/12/83; UWM Administration approval, 6/6/85)

c. The Departmental Executive Committee may delegate
to the tenured professors of the Department the authority
to make recommendations for promotions to the rank of professor.
(Doc. 1189, 2/21/80; UWM Administration approval, 2/27/80;
Regent approval, 6/6/80)

d. In schools in which departmental structures do not exist, Executive
Committees shall have the same authority to make recommendations
concerning appointments, dismissals, promotions, salaries, and other
budget matters, to the Dean or Director, as Departmental Executive
Committees described in paragraph (1) of this section.

e. Each Executive Committee shall meet at least once each semester.
Except as otherwise provided, minutes reflecting all formal actions
taken shall be recorded. (Doc. 984, 5/4/76; UWM Administration
approval, 5/26/76; Regent approval 7/76)

III. Committees top

 

A. Responsibilities of Committee Chairs

1. Any faculty member could be called upon to Chair a committee.

2. The Chair of a Committee is responsible for maintaining the files,
including the governing policies and the record of any and all actions
taken by that committee during his/her tenure.

3. Area Heads will not be asked to serve as Chair of any committees
except under unusual circumstances or by his/her own request.

4. A yearly report of committee actions will be given to the
Associate Chair to serve as the official department record.
The Chairs of committees will pass their files on to their
successors and the Associate Chair upon completion
of their assigned task(s).

 

B. Responsibilities of the Associate Chair in Regard
to Committees

1. The Associate Chair, in consultation with the Department
Chair, is responsible for the assigning of committee membership.
( Faculty members will be asked to state a preference of
committees, even though their committee assignment for
any particular year may be in the status of the ‘stand-by
faculty pool’.)

2. The Associate Chair of the Department is responsible for
maintaining records which indicate by years the following: the
committee, Chair, and faculty assigned for all committees active
in any particular year.

 

C. Standing Committees

 

1. GRADUATE COMMITTEE

a. Membership.

1. Seven members, including Head of Graduate
Studies, three or four faculty and two graduate
students (to be appointed by the Head of
Graduate Studies). The Head of Graduate
Studies may not serve as Chair.

b. Functions.

1. Advise and assist the Head of Graduate
Studies in matters relating to the graduate
program.

2. Develop recommendations for policy and
curriculum as it would affect all aspects of
graduate study (i.e. seminar).

3. Review and evaluate students for Layton
awards and for submission to Graduate
Fellowship Committee.

4. Maintain liaison with graduate students.

5. Act as a “quality control” body to assure
the high level of the graduate program.

 

2. SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

a. Membership.

1. Three or four faculty, the Associate Chair
and the Administrative Assistant (both ex officio).

b. Functions.

1. Establish jury procedures for annual
scholarship awards; present procedures to
faculty prior to implementation.

2. Make final selections for award recipients.

3. Attempt to generate funds for tuition
scholarships and other awards for art students.

4. Organize scholarship award opportunities,
exhibitions and jury procedures, coordinate
and organize activities and events with the
department Recruitment Coordinator.

 

3. CURRICULUM AND POLICY COMMITTEE

a. Membership.

1. Seven members including three or four
faculty to include members from both 2D
and 3D areas, the Associate Chair (ex -
officio) and Director of Foundations,
one undergraduate student, one
graduate student.

b. Functions.

1. Receive all new course and program
proposals submitted by the areas.

2. Review proposals. All approved proposals
are presented to the Art faculty for consideration
and action. Upon departmental approval, these
are then forwarded to the School of Fine Arts
Curriculum Committee and then the School of
Fine Arts faculty for approval.

3. Review of major course and program changes.

4. Plan summer session offerings by coordinating
departmental needs and budget with faculty
availability.

5. Review past summer course offerings and
student enrollment patterns.

6. Implement Rotation Policy as appropriate.

7. Orientation and supervision of TA’s and
examination of the Foundations program.

 

4. MUSEUM / GALLERY COMMITTEE

a. Membership.

1. Six members including three or four faculty,
one graduate student and one undergraduate
student.

b. Functions.

1. Recommend calendar of exhibitions.

 

5. ACADEMIC STAFF MENTORING AND REVIEW COMMITTE

a. The Executive committee of the Department of
Visual Art will establish a Mentoring committee for
all Teaching Academic staff members hired on a
probationary track at 50% (or more) appointment
leading to Indefinite Appointment status.

b. The Mentoring committee will meet with the
new Teaching Academic staff members during
their first semester of responsibilities to review
initial work load activities, provide informal
discussion support and to answer questions
regarding responsibilities, department practices
and expectations, and professional development
planning. The Mentoring committee’s report of
this meeting will become part of the Academic
Staff members file will be reported to the
Executive Committee, and serve as an
advisory recommendation to the supervisor.

c. The Mentoring committee will be available
to each Teaching Academic staff member for
consultation regarding responsibilities, performance
review results, departmental policy and procedure,
and other governance issues.

d. The Mentoring committee will meet for a formal
session with each Teaching Academic staff member
to assist with preparations for the annual self-
evaluation materials prior to submission of
those materials to the staff member’s
supervisor. The Mentoring committee’s
report and recommendations will become
part of the Academic Staff members file will
be reported to the Executive Committee, and
serve as an advisory recommendation to the
supervisor.

e. The Mentoring committee should be a three
member committee (not to include the Chair or
any School administrator in order to avoid conflict
of interest relative to supervisory and/or advocacy
responsibilities). The committee should serve for
at least two years per academic staff member
with rotations onto and off the committee
designed for continuity of oversight
awareness. (Approved by the Executive
Committee, February 10, 2000)

D. Semester Committees

 

1. MERIT / SALARY / COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

a. Membership.

1. Five faculty members from the Executive
Committee nominated by a vote of the entire
department faculty for a one year term.
(Approved by the Executive
Committee, 1994)

b. Functions.

1. Advise the Executive Committee
regarding salary merit pay levels for
the full Department faculty, based on
the Guidelines for Standard Expected/
Beyond Standard Expected Performance
Criteria. Other special areas of attention are:

(I.) continue to refine existing merit
procedures,

(II.) make recommendations regarding
“Catch-Up” and/or Equity pay plans,

(III.) plan for ongoing and future
retirements with concern for the
Department’s merit base.

 

2. SEARCH AND SCREEN COMMITTEES.

a. When an open position occurs within the
department, an ad hoc search and screen
committee is appointed by the Chair with the
approval of the Executive Committee. Membership
will number three or fourfaculty and will include one
member outside the area in which the open position
exists. A chairperson is elected by the committee
members. The chairperson is responsible for
developing and maintaining all correspondence
of the committee as well as presenting a final list
of candidates to the Executive Committee. He/she
is further responsible for scheduling on-campus
visits by candidates and arranging for interviews
by the Executive Committee and the Dean.
He/she or a designee will, when appropriate,
attend professional conference(s) for the
purpose of interviewing potential candidates.

 

E. Ad Hoc Committees

1. An ad-hoc advisory committee of 3-4 members will be
consulted on a need basis to assist the department chair
and associate chair in making administrative decisions
regarding budget, faculty and staff teaching assignments,
capital expenditures, assistantship assignments, and other
administrative decisions. This committee will be invited by
the chair and associate chair to meet on an occasional,
need only basis, and will make advisory recommendations
to the chair consistent with department programmatic
needs and approved planningassumptions.

Appointment to the committee will be by
the department chair.

 

a. SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMMITTEE

1. Membership.

(I.) Three faculty members selected each
Spring by student ballot. Final membership
will be determined by the Department Chair,
based on the highest number of votes
received by individual faculty. Committee
membership will include representation
of both genders. Committee member’s
names, office hours and telephone
extensions will be posted in Art
Department classrooms.

2. Functions.

(I.) To provide an initial contact with Art
Department faculty for students who
have concerns regarding sexual
harassment encountered with
the Department.

(II.) To provide students with
information about possible means
for resolution of the problem.

(III.) Inform EOO, etc.

(IV.) Plan annual sexual harassment
information session for all faculty,
TA’s and adjunct teaching staff.

 

b. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

1. Membership.

(I.) Three faculty members.

2. Functions.

(I.) Be familiar with the SFA grievance
procedures.

(II.) Respond to student grievances
when referred to by the Chair.

IV. Post-Retirement Teaching top

A. Pursuant to present and future curricular needs,
retirees of the Art Department may request post-
retirement participation in our program to
the extent of teaching two courses per year.

1. Procedures.

a. Letter of request addressed to the Chair
b. Chair meets and secures approval of Area Head
c. Executive Committee approves.

V. Faculty Workload Policy top

A. The faculty workloads in the Art Department are
established by the faculty-as-a-whole and are
accountable to the Dean of the School of Fine
Arts for that determination.

1. The expected ‘normal’ teaching load for all
full-time faculty is set at five (5) three (3) credit
courses, 30 contact hours, per academic year.

2. The factors that justify a variance to the ‘normal’
teaching load are definedbelow and are established
by the Executive Committee of the Art Department
with further approval of the Dean of the School of
Fine Arts.

a. The Chair of the Art Department teaches one
(1) three credit course per academic year. Additionally,
for each year of service as Chair, that faculty member
is granted one (1) three credit course released time
teaching load, after retiring from the position of Chair.

b. The Associate Chair of the Art Department is
granted one (1) three credit course released teaching
load per semester.

c. The Head of Graduate Studies is granted one (1)
three credit course released teaching load per semester.

d. The Director of Foundations is granted one (1) three
credit course released teaching load per semester.

e. An individual faculty member may be granted up to
one (1) three credit course released teaching load per
semester to act as Curator for a major exhibition.

f. An individual faculty member may be granted a released
teaching load for a Sabbatical and/or Grant that is variable
in percentage dependent on the nature of the proposal.

g. Under the circumstances, faculty accepting a one-half
year Sabbatical leave shall teach their three course load
during their non-Sabbatical semester of the academic
year during which their Sabbatical leave takes place.

VI.General Information top

 

A. Semester Timetable

1. The semester timetable of department courses offered is the overall
responsibility of the Chair with the assistance of the Administrative Assistant.
Area Heads are asked to submit,

a. proposed area courses to be taught,
b. maximum enrollment per course,
c. instructor,
d. days, times and rooms. These are examined and
integrated into a workable timetable by the Chair. The
Administrative Assistant prepares all of the necessary
copy for printing.

 

B. Summer Sessions

1. The summer sessions listing of courses and instructors is
the responsibility of the Associate Chair in cooperation with the
Curriculum & Policy Committee and with the approval of the Chair.
Each year, the faculty will be canvassed concerning interest and
availability for teaching summer session. The committee will
construct the schedule of courses by integrating instructional
needs, faculty availability and existing summer session funds.

2. Summer session teaching assignments will be made within
the Rotation Policy guidelines: (Adopted by Department Faculty,
Oct. 29, 1980)

a. that summer teaching is determined on a rotational basis
and that all faculty may not teach more than four summers
out of five with a maximum 1/2 teaching assignment at 1/9
academic salary.

b. that exceptions to this policy are to be made on a
programmatic need basis. (Any faculty who is within
three years of retirement will be excepted from this
rotation policy).

3. It is understood that faculty who have filed a Letter of
Intent to Retire in a specific year will be assigned summer
teaching (upon their request) for the three summers prior to
the year of retirement as follows: Professor A will be retiring
June 1995. Automatic summer teaching assignment in
summers 1994, 93, 92 upon request.
(Adopted by Department Faculty, Feb. 26, 1988)

 

C. Leaves of Absence

1. Semester or year request for leaves are initiated by
the faculty member interested in effecting the request
and, if approved by the Executive Committee, is sent
by the Chair to the Dean for his/her action. If approved,
it is sent to the Chancellor for his/her action.

2. Partial leaves.

a. Faculty members requesting reduction of teaching
loads shall request approval from the Executive
Committee. Approved requests are sent to the
Dean for his/her approval. It is possible for a faculty
member who has been approved for a two course
reduction to receive up to 40% pay if he/she
continues commitments to committee service,
graduate and independent study students.
No set pay formula exists and each case
is considered separately.

VII. Facilities Use Policy top

A. In order to provide a safe and secure working environment
for students, faculty, and staff, the following facility use policy
will govern all Art Department studio and classroom facilities
and the use of equipment and supplies.

1. In compliance with university policy, only qualified
students, staff, and faculty may use Art Department
studio and classroom facilities and their corresponding
equipment and supplies. Students must be officially
registered as a university student in good standing;
staff and faculty must be officially employed by
the university.

2. In compliance with university policy, no facilities
or university equipment may be used directly for
the generation of private profit or any other benefit
outside of the educational mission of the university
without prior official approval.

3. Facility use policy regarding access, schedule, and
specific operation guidelines for classroom studios will
be set by the area faculty of that supervising area.
Area faculty and qualified facility supervisors should
be informed about which students are qualified to
use a studio facility and its equipment.

4. Facility use policies for specific areas and classes
will be included in course syllabi or as a supplemental
handout distributed to all enrolled and other qualified
users. These policies will be posted in all studio
classroom Facilities.

5. If students are required to use potentially
dangerous equipment, materials, or tools,
they will be properly instructed in their operation.
Successful completion of department coursework
by the student constitutes proper instruction in the
use of such equipment. The department faculty
should make sure thestudent user understands
and agrees to the facility and equipment in
accordance with the supervising area guidelines
and safe use policies, university policies regarding
drug and alcohol policies, and is responsible for
damage or loss of equipment during their time
of use.

6. Access to and use of facilities and equipment must
be supervised during regularly scheduled class periods
by a faculty member or other qualified supervisor. All
designated supervisors should be familiar with the
facility use policy of that studio, properly trained
and familiar with all emergency and notification
procedures regarding that facility, equipment,
and supplies. Emergency and notification
procedures must be posted in all equipment
and tool intensive areas. Unsupervised and
open access to any facilities will be allowed only
on a case-by-case basis with prior written approval
from a supervising faculty. This prior written approval
must document the user, facility, dates of use, and
reason, and must be accompanied by a completed
release form. A copy of the written approval should be
kept by the user and the supervising faculty member.

7. The official end date of a term, and during official term
breaks and holidays must comply to the facility use policy
procedures. In most cases, undergraduate degree students
should have access to facilities only after the start of classes
and only until the official exam time for their classes. Special
and graduate students must have prior written approval.

8. Supervisors will be trained by faculty. Supervisors will
observe, enforce, and report violations and suspected
violations of the department or university facility use
policies immediately to the supervising faculty, head,
and department chair.
(Approved by the Art Department, Feb. 12, 1998)

VIII. Audit Policy top

A. Auditors should participate in the class they are enrolled in.
Auditing should not simply be a means for a student to gain
access to the building and/or equipment. Auditors should
enroll in 1-3 credit hours (at the auditor rate), but will only
be allowed to audit 3 courses in any one area, regardless
of the amount of credits taken. The department forbids
auditors from working unsupervised and/or from doing
work unrelated to the class.

B. Although auditors are often experienced students/artists,
they are not paid employees of the university. Therefore,
they should not be put in a position of responsibility for
training/supervising other students. If an accident were to
occur, not only would the university, the SOA, and the
department be liable, but the auditor could also be held
liable, and possibly sued. This is not to say senior students
cannot help other students, but they must do so under the
direction and supervision of the instructor and within the
parameters of the class they are enrolled in.

C. Auditors will not be given keys to the building.

D. When appropriate, auditors should be assigned
a lab fee to cover consumables. This fee would be
determined by the area head, in consultation with
the Chair.