The committee that oversees the UW-Madison faculty disciplinary process voted to amend a proposal that if passed would expedite suspension without pay hearings for faculty convicted of serious misconduct.
The push to alter the policy comes in response to revelations last year that the university employed three felons, one of whom was suspended with pay for 18 months during the process of his trial.
""We had three people charged with crimes and they clearly did it,"" said David Walsh, UW Board of Regents president. Walsh cited taxpayer and Legislature frustration with how long the process of suspending the perpetrator without pay took as a cause to alter the policy.
Walsh said some faculty expressed concern over the possibility that those charged with serious misconduct could be suspended without pay before a conviction. However, he maintained it is fair to do so as long as the chancellor reviews the investigation and deems it appropriate. ""Most faculty would say fire these people,"" Walsh said of the felons.
Written investigations will still have to be reviewed by the chancellor before the faculty member may be suspended without pay.
Walsh said he believes it is important that a speedy path exists to halt pay to faculty convicted of serious misconduct so that taxpayers do not have to pay such a faculty member while a decision is being made.
Michael Spector, Board of Regents chair, said Monday's decision to alter the proposal will not be finalized until the board of regents approves it.
""We're moving forward with an evolutionary process,"" said Spector, who expects the proposal to be voted on by the UW System legislature during the December Regents meeting.
