Assembly Bill 586 seeks to amend the shared governance provisions at University of Wisconsin System institutions by restoring them to their status prior to the enactment of the 2015-17 biennial budget act (2015 Wisconsin Act 55). The bill repeals section 36.09 (3m) and amends sections 36.09 (4), (4m), and (5) to enhance the roles of faculty, academic staff, and students in institutional governance. Specifically, the bill stipulates that faculty, academic staff, and students shall be active participants in the immediate governance and policy development of their institutions, reversing the more advisory roles they were assigned under the previous law.

The amendments clarify that faculty will have primary responsibility for governance and policy development, while academic staff and students will also play significant roles in shaping policies relevant to their respective areas. The bill removes the requirement for faculty to ensure adequate representation of STEM disciplines in their organizational structure, thereby allowing for greater flexibility in faculty governance. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the shared governance framework within the University of Wisconsin System, promoting a more collaborative approach to institutional decision-making.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 36.09(3m), 36.09, 36.09(4), 36.09(4m), 36.09(5)