Senate Bill 581 aims to restore the shared governance provisions at University of Wisconsin System institutions 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 emphasizes that faculty, academic staff, and students shall actively participate in the immediate governance and policy development of their institutions, rather than merely advising the chancellor on various matters.

The amendments clarify that the faculty will have primary responsibility for governance and policy development, while academic staff and students will also be recognized as active participants in these processes. The bill removes the previous requirement for faculty to ensure adequate representation of STEM disciplines in their organizational structure, thereby allowing for more flexibility in faculty governance. Overall, the bill seeks to empower these groups within the University of Wisconsin System, reinstating a more collaborative governance model.

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