Faculty Senate puts off HR Design vote

The Faculty Senate on Monday postponed a vote on a resolution endorsing the framework of UW–Madison’s HR Design strategic plan until its Dec. 3 meeting.

The University Committee authored a resolution accepting the framework of the plan with caveats, including strengthening language in the document regarding the role of shared governance in implementing HR Design policies. The other clauses ask that the plan emphasize quality instruction and a commitment to balance equity with market and merit considerations when determining compensation.

But senators expressed concern about voting on the plan before the HR Design project’s executive sponsors – Interim Chancellor David Ward, Provost Paul M. DeLuca Jr. and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Darrell Bazzell – finalize the plan that will be presented to the Board of Regents at its Dec. 7 meeting. The executive sponsors are scheduled to weigh in on the plan later this month.

“We want to see the final result before giving our stamp of approval,” said Chad Goldberg, a senate alternate and professor of sociology.

Mark Cook, chair of the University Committee and professor of animal science, cautioned a delay could mean that the Faculty Senate’s vote on the plan may not meet the deadline for materials submitted to the Board of Regents. He said the Faculty Senate will stay involved in the implementation process to ensure the document reflects faculty priorities.

“We are going to be involved in this every step of the way,” he said. “This is our HR system.”

The Senate ultimately voted in a paper ballot 104-55 to postpone the vote on the resolution.