PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A leaked proposal meant to restructure the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is getting pushback from faculty.
It would change the university’s approach to education and faculty workloads.
UWGB Chancellor Michael Alexander said his goal is to modernize education and better prepare the university for the future. He said that starts in the classroom and with using technology.
“We no longer necessarily just need knowledge, right? There’s all kinds of knowledge. The question is, what you do with that knowledge? The question is, how do you interpret it? How do you think about it?” Alexander said.
Alexander’s proposal also looks to generate more engagement with the community — not only creating more events, but also publicizing research that faculty conducts. Alexander said this will construct a better connection to the area.
“As a professor, they do incredible research that’s really meaningful for Northeast Wisconsin, and even if it’s not, people are going to be interested in the incredibly interesting things they’re doing. We just want them to share it with the community,” Alexander said.
The proposal is also gaining the attention of UWGB faculty and staff.
Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies Jon Shelton, who is also the president of a union which represents professionals working in the Universities of Wisconsin, is worried changes will be made to department chairs. He’s concerned chairs would be appointed by university administration.
Currently, chairs are elected by faculty.
“We have a wealth of expertise here, and I haven’t met anybody on this campus outside of administration who thinks this proposal is a good idea,” Shelton said.
Despite this, Alexander says that is not something that will change, and chairs will not be appointed by the university.
“Nothing at a university is appointed by anyone. It’s always done by a thorough search and it’s always done if it’s in the academic area with the faculty voice leading the way. Always. That won’t change,” Alexander said. “The question is, should we have the same administrative academic structure when we now have over 11,500 students as we had when the university was founded 60 years ago? I think a lot has changed in 60 years.”
In response, Shelton launched a petition. So far, it’s garnered more than 250 signatures online, mainly from faculty and staff.
Shelton worries if department chairs are no longer elected by faculty, specific curricular decisions will come from above, rather than staff who have their feet on the ground.
He said much of the proposal is unnecessary.
“These changes could dramatically change how things are done here and really, you know, hurt possibilities for our students,” Shelton said.
Faculty workload is another issue. Under a law passed in the new biennial state budget, instructors will be required to teach 24 credits. Shelton said this will likely mean everyone teaches another course.
That’s where Alexander’s research proposal comes in. He understands not everything in his proposal is popular, but believes it’s the best way to move UWGB toward the future.
“I love everyone at UWGB and respect anyone who disagrees with what we’re doing,” Alexander said. “I can’t be bullied by it. My job is to make sure the institution is moving forward.”
Shelton plans to eventually present the petition to Alexander.
More discussion with faculty and staff about the proposal is expected. Alexander doesn’t have a specific timeline for changes to take effect, but says he wants to move fast.
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