Late last night, I was thumbing through the stack of thesis and dissertation drafts that had been given to me by students in anticipation of a December graduation. I swore under my breath over the unpleasant task ahead — not the reading per se but rather the gratingly unaesthetic form in which I had to read these tomes. Each one represented approximately two journal papers worth of content inefficiently spread out over 120+ double-spaced, single-sided sheets of text and oversized figures. Some of these were not early drafts requiring extensive copy-editing; they were final drafts requiring only my approval and that of my fellow readers before being deposited with the Graduate School.
Archive for the ‘The Schools’ Category
A Graduate School reform we can all get behind: new thesis format requirements
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009Stepping up to protect free speech on campus
Monday, November 16th, 2009Just days ago, this forum reposted a message that had been circulated by the AAUP concerning loopholes in the legal protection of speech on campus due to a controversial Supreme Court ruling in 2006.
Today, in the article “Free speech constraints spark criticism, concern”, the Daily Cardinal has reported that Prof. Donald Downs (Political Science) is taking up that issue with our University Committee. That article, and the background information from the AAUP, is essential reading for anyone who might ever disagree with an administration decision.
A memo from Dean Sandefur (L&S) on the proposed reorganization of the Graduate School
Friday, November 13th, 2009This memo by Dean Gary Sandefur (Letters and Sciences) was copied to L&S faculty, staff, and graduate students. It is reproduced here for the convenience, and public comment, of S&W readers. – Eds.
Letter from the Provost concerning restructuring
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009The following broadcast message from Provost Paul M. DeLuca, Jr., was received on November 11, 2009 and is reposted here for the convenience of S&W readers (a similar or identical message also appears on the Provost’s own website). Public comments are strongly encouraged. – Eds.
November 11, 2009
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:
As you know, we have been reaching out to get your views into the challenges that confront us as a research and learning community. A potential realignment of our research infrastructure has, not surprisingly, resonated in different ways with many of you. I write today to let you know that your comments and concerns will be important factors in any change that may be implemented. The strength of our university is derived primarily from the creativity and hard work of our faculty, staff and students. Without your efforts and inspiration, UW-Madison would not be the great university it is, and thus any substantive change to our research apparatus will occur only through the combined efforts of the campus community. (more…)
Resolution passes
Monday, November 2nd, 2009Moments ago, the Faculty Senate voted on the Resolution from the Department of Sociology Regarding the Proposed Reorganization of the Graduate School. The vote was nearly unanimous — there was only a single opposing vote.
Why the Faculty Senate should support the resolution
Monday, November 2nd, 2009At today’s meeting in Bascom Hall, the Faculty Senate will vote on this resolution submitted by the Sociology Department. Unless we are completely misreading faculty sentiment across campus, it will likely pass by a large margin and will thereby reassert the faculty’s commitment to the tradition of shared governance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The town hall meeting that didn’t happen
Friday, October 30th, 2009I’m frustrated by the proposal to restructure the graduate school. Indeed, I’m afraid of such action.
I’m frustrated that only one plan is presented. The Provost says at each Town Hall that he has looked at this in a variety of ways and that this is the only solution he can come to. Complex problems need to be addressed by a team of diverse capabilities, so it is not surprising that he came up with one solution, and likely not the best one.
I’m frustrated by the lack of broad faculty input in the development of a plan to address these problems. There is no involvement by the UC, the graduate school or academic staff in developing an appropriate plan.
I’m frustrated by Town Hall meetings and the inability of the Provost to answer questions at those meetings. Seriously, review the videos. Listen to the question and then the Provost’s response. Often his response is an anecdotal story that really doesn’t answer the question posed. Too many times does he say “I don’t see why you would think that.”
So, as Halloween approaches I thought I’d take on a scary costume.
The official text of the resolution
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009The following resolution is scheduled to be voted on by the Faculty Senate on Monday, November 2, 2009:
(more…)
The Madison Experiment
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009Chancellor Martin’s letter to the community indicates that she and the provost have accepted the shared governance process, belatedly. This is a positive development. So, in the spirit of shared governance let’s consider the administration’s proposal and see what we think about it.
The essence of the current proposal is to centralize control over our research enterprise by splitting research functions off from the Graduate School and consolidating them in a new office for research under a new vice-chancellor. The question of whether such centralization would be a good move can be broken down into two parts. First, what might we gain? Second, what could we lose?