University Committee Meeting Minutes 2022-11-14

Minutes approved 11-21-2022

UC members present: Babcock, Bernard-Donals, Li, Papp (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault

Others: Michelle Felber, Jennifer Noyes, Jack O’Meara, Julie Scharm, Jake Smith

 

Chair Papp called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

The minutes for the meeting of November 7, 2022, were approved.   

Papp motioned, and it was seconded, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss committee members at 1:01.

Papp motioned to reconvene in open session at 1:30. It was seconded and approved.

The University Committee discussed bringing a very broad resolution to the Faculty Senate supporting the past work of the Public History Project.

Crystal Potts, Director of State Relations, reported on the mid-term elections. Wisconsin will again have a divided government with the legislature controlled by Republicans and the governor controlled by Democrats. There is a veto proof majority in the Senate, but not in the Assembly. The republicans won three seats but needed five.

The 2023-25 state budget will be proposed in February by Governor Evers. It will be ignored by the legislature who will start from scratch. Very few policy issues will make it into the budget given the governor’s broad veto power. UW-Madison has two large building projects proposed including an engineering building and a replacement for the Shell. In addition, both sides have acknowledged the need for a compensation increase. Legislative bills for the upcoming year might include topics of limiting what can be taught, controlling curriculum, limiting the rights of trans people and campus free speech.

Charlie Hoslet, Vice Chancellor for University Relations, reported on the federal elections. The Democrats will control the Senate and Presidency. The House is likely to be controlled by the republicans by a slim margin. Legislation may include national security issues and Pell grants. It’s likely that earmarks may continue.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, provided an update on student mental health. There were over 36,000 student mental health appointments during the last academic year. Top concerns include anxiety, stress and depression. University Health Services has 62 permanent mental health clinicians, 5 psychiatric provides and 2 psychiatric nurses. One-third of the staff identify as BIPOC and in addition to English, services are offered in Mandarin, Spanish and Hindi. They are continuing a daytime co-responder program with the UW Police Department. They continue to offer hybrid services and are contracting with a third-party service for out of state, evening, weekend and specialized services. They also are eliminating session limits.

Eric Sandgren, current UW System Representative for UW-Madison, joined the meeting via telephone to discuss the UW System strategic plan. University Committee members will send feedback to him. He is also asked the UC how governance should work at the UW System level.

Papp motioned, and it was seconded, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss a waiver and committee members at 2:32. One tenure clock extension was approved.

Papp motioned to reconvene in open session at 3:39. It was seconded and approved.

Papp adjourned the meeting at 3:52.



Keywords:
University Committee 
Doc ID:
122608
Owned by:
Julie S. in UW Secretary of the Faculty
Created:
2022-11-22
Updated:
2025-01-02
Sites:
UW Secretary of the Faculty