UIUC AAUP Policy Committee
Minutes for September 6, 2017
217 Illini Union
Web site:  http://www.aaup-ui.org/

Present:  Bettina Francis, Harry Hilton, Richard Laugesen, David O’Brien, Robert Parker, Daniel Steward, Donald Uchtmann, H. F. Williamson

The meeting began at about 12:08 p.m. with Harry Hilton presiding.   He asked those present to introduce themselves.

(1)  Review of the Minutes for April 26, 2017 Meeting of Policy Committee.  The minutes were approved.

(2)  President’s Report.  Hilton reviewed the key topics in his report, some of which are covered further elsewhere in the minutes.
(a)  He reported on attending the AAUP national conference and the removal of the University from censure.  The principal opposition was from the Illinois state organization principally because they were not consulted.
(b)  He continues to follow up on the status of the revisions in the Statutes regarding hiring policies that have been approved by the three senates and the Senate Council. They were transmitted to the president on December 5, 2016. 
(c)  President Killeen has arranged for a meeting of Trustees Koritz (chair) and McMillan (past chair) with O’Brien, Prussing and Hilton Sept 6.  President Killeen and Vice President Wilson will also attend.
(d)  Parker continues to track actions which are being taken at the state level regarding tenure and course content.
(e)  The shared governance questionnaire will be resent by the Provost’s office.  A similar questionnaire will be sent to tenure track and tenured faculty through the Provost’s office.
(f)  He has arranged a meeting with President Killeen and Vice President Wilson at 11 a.m. prior to the regular Policy Committee meeting on October 11.
(g)  As soon as the new Provost is in office, Hilton will work with her/him and Associate Provost Bernhard to set  up a date for the Tenure and Promotion Workshop in the spring.

(3)  Resolution.  As part of the President’s Report, Hilton circulated a draft of a resolution from O’Brien expressing our gratitude to Vice President Wilson and President Killeen for their efforts to remove the University from AAUP censure and the efforts from President Killeen and Chancellor Jones to address the presence of hate groups on campuses across the United States.  It was suggested that the existence of long-standing AAUP policies regarding the latter by included.  A motion to approve the resolution was passed.  Hilton and O’Brien will arrange its circulation on the chapter web site and elsewhere.    

(4)  Schedule of Fall Meetings: The meetings for the rest of the fall are as follows.  All will be in 217 Illini Union:
(a)  11 a.m.; Wednesday, October 11:  President Killeen and Executive Vice President Wilson
(b)  noon, Wednesday, October 11: Policy Committee, 217 Illini Union
(c)  noon, Wednesday, November 8, 2017: Policy Committee, 217 Illini Union
(d)  noon, Wednesday, December 13, 2017: Policy Committee, 217 Illini Union

(5)  Preparation for Meeting with President Killeen and Executive Vice President Wilson.  The draft agenda was reviewed.  One added topic will be to ask what the campus is doing in response to the announced revocation of DACA.  If our guests would like to join us for lunch, the meeting time will be adjusted accordingly, say from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
(6)  Discussion of Annual Chapter Meeting and Program on May 9, 2017.  The experience last spring led to discussion of how we might improve attendance through the choice of topic and speakers and through the timing of the meeting.  The possibility of separating out the Annual Meeting part and/or holding elections online was also discussed.

(7)  Composition of Continuing Chapter Committees for 2017-2018.  One change from the Committee leaders for last year will be a shift by O’Brien from Governance to Membership.

(8)  Report from our Liaison to the NTFC Local #6546 Chapter.  Steward indicated that there was no report today but that their group did have some experience with online elections. 

The meeting adjourned at about 1:00 p.m.

As noted above, the next meetings will be on October 11, 2017 in 217 Illini Union.

Prepared by H. Williamson, Secretary