WIUPI Newsletter, August 18th, 2018

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University Assembly: Left to right: Shazia Rhaman ((English). Her sign says, “What’s up BOT?” Next is Marcus Buker (new super long name department). His sign, “The Contract Matters.” Molly K. Homer (UPI Treasurer, Honors College). Her sign, “Value the Imagination.” Then, Bonnie Sonnek (English), Brian Powell (Philosophy and Mathematics) “Rescind the Layoffs.” Next to Brian is Ilon Lauer (Communication). Behind Molly, Julia Albarracin (Political Science), Melissa Stinett, (Curriculum and Instruction). Behind Marcus Buker, Gayle Mericle (LEJA)

UPI Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 23rd from Noon to 1:30. As a first-week event, UPI will be hosting an ice cream social for our members and for all students on August 23rd, from as the headline says, Noon to 1:30. The traditional trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry will be offered, as well as non-dairy cold fabulousness. Toppings? Yes, of course, toppings! The very tippy top of toppings will be apportioned to each and any who crave them.

New membership cards will be available for those who’ve yet to sign

one. Information about the union will be available to students—many of whom don’t realize that the faculty is unionized.

Please let your ice-cream deprived students know that the UPI will be providing free ice cream and free UPI swag (like green ribbons!). And ya’ll come, too.

If inclement weather should strike, we will alert members to an alternate location or to a new date by 11:00 AM on Friday.

University Assembly: University Announces More Potential Layoffs, then Asks People to say Positive Things. President Thomas announced that the university will use Article 26, the Acadamic Program Elimination Review (APER) committee. Article 26 states, “The sole purpose of the APER Committee shall be to provide recommendations to the Academic Vice President concerning academic programs being considered for elimination which would result in the layoff of an employee.” The president followed this announcement by asking that employees say positive things about WIU. The president said that low enrolled programs per the IBHE low productivity formula will be those considered for APER. These programs can be majors or minors. Note that being on the low productivity list does not necessarily mean that a program will be liquidated. Our award winning (twice!) Physics program was on the APER list in 2015 and is still with us, winning awards.

Per the contract, UPI has not yet received any formal notification that the administration intends to form this committee.

WIUPI Newsletter, August 18th, 2018

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If (when) UPI receives formal notification, the Faculty Senate will hold an election for committee members. Five members comprise the committee, one member from each of the four colleges and one from the library.

UPI, Admissions, and Retention. Jason Woods, the new Director of Admissions, asked for everyone’s help with recruitment in an upbeat speech. UPI immediately invited him to our August 27th board meeting to discuss ways we can help. UPI leaders and members are also volunteering at the Admission Office’s booth at the Flatland Summer Jam.

One way we can immediately help is by taking attendance in our classes for at least the first two weeks of class, notifying both the student and the Academic Support Coach. Attendance is the single most important factor that correlates with academic persistence. If we can steer students back into the classroom during the first two weeks, when they are forming habits, we may be able to keep them there. It won’t work for every student, but it will let them know, as President Thomas said, that they are not simply a number. That we care enough about them to ask where they are. CITR’s Attendance Tracker allows students to be referred to the Academic Support Coach under the “Full Featured Attendance” using the “Refer” function, which is located right below a student’s name

Pictures from the University Assembly

Brian Clark (Libraries), Krista Bowers-Sharpe (Libraries), Merrill Cole (English). Behind Merrill, Richard Thurman (Engineering Technology)

Gordon Petit (Philosophy), David Haugen (Philosophy), Doug LaFountain (Mathematics)

WIUPI Newsletter, August 18th, 2018

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At bottom, Marie Aanenson (Biology), Meshack Afithile (Biology), Sue Musser (Biology). Above Meshack, Susan Czechowski, Damon McArthur, Keith Holz. Behind them Jan Clough, Timothy Waldrop, Ian Shelly, William Howard (All Art). Behind Jan, Jamie Johnson (at last count, three departments, one of them LEJA), Herbiberto Urby (Health Sciences)

Dana Lindeman (UPI VP, Psychology), Kristie Keefe (UPI Secretary, Psychology), Christina Davis (Anthropology). Behind Christina, Karen Sears (Psychology, former UPI President). Behind Dana, David Lane (Psychology).

Joel Gruver (Agriculture, Allison Farm)

Holding the sign, Kelly Quinn (Spanish). Next to Kelly, Margarita Obergon (Spanish). To Kelly’s left, Daniel Brown (French). Below Kelly, Steve Rock (SURS Board), Scribbling code at the bottom, Laurence Leff (Computer Science). In multi-colored plaid above Dr. Leff, Keith Boeckelman (Political Science Chair, former UPI Board member). To Dr. Leff’s right, Chandra Amaravadi (Computer Science). Lower left-hand corner, George Mangalaraj (Computer Science). Not pictured, Amy Carr (Religious Studies).

WIUPI Newsletter, August 18th, 2018

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Jamie Johnson (LEJA) and Herbibetro Urby (Health Science)

Moises Molina and Ivette Herryman-Rodriguez (Music). Behind Moises, in grey ponytail, Jim LaPrad.

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Tawnya Adkins Covert (Sociology)and Patrick McGinty (Sociology, UPI Organizing Chair). Above Patrick is Cheryl Bailey (Communication), Josh Averback (Communication), Chris Carpenter (Communication)

Angela Kline (Mathematics and Associate Faculty Representative to UPI Board)

Ginny Boynton (History), Richie Gabbei (Kinesiology), Laura Barden-Gabbei (Biology)

WIUPI Newsletter, August 18th, 2018

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The Fourth Estate: Christopher Ginn, Voice

Bill Cook (Archives), Sean Cordes (Libraries), Bill Knox (English)

John Cooper (Music), Jason Hawkins (Music), Brian Winnie (Music), Terry Chasteen (Music). Above Terry, Garret Hunter (Engineering Technology), next to Garrett is Hsu Yu-ping (Engineering Technology), above Ysu, standing in black is Betsy Perabo (Religious Studies) and, I think, Lori Baker Sperry (Women’s Studies.

Peter Cole (History), Jennifer McNabb (Chair of History, former UPI Board Member.)