Approved 02-29-24

ASEC Minutes

2:00 – 4:30 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024

53 Bascom Hall

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/99974309306?pwd=YWJDaVBJdmtLVDdUUlM4VmtvQjhTUT09

Members Present: Donna Cole; Alissa Ewer; Julie Hunt Johnson; Stephanie Jones; Albert Muniz, chair; Terry Paape; Lindsey Stoddard Cameron; Nola Walker

Guests: Rob Cramer; Charles Isbell; Angela Kita; Emily Reynolds; Jen Young

The meeting was called to order at 2:01 p.m.

The minutes of February 8 and February 15 were approved.

General Reports

Albert Muniz, ASEC Chair, discussed the recent leadership breakfast, which was led by Provost Isbell. Much of the discussion focused on the role of a department chair. The budget approach coordinating committee met for the first time earlier in the week and introductory information was shared. The ASEC election will launch on Wednesday.

Lesley Fisher, Interim Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that the secretary of the academic staff job posting is live, and she sent a call for nominations for the search and screen committee. Nola and Donna are participating in the finalist sessions for the dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Albert and Lesley will meet with the vice chancellor for research finalists in early March.

Liaison Reports

Terry Paape reported that the Nursing CASI is having conversations about professional development funding.

Lindsey Stoddard Cameron reported that the CALS CASI is working on bylaws revisions and is considering adding university staff to the committee.

Alissa Ewer reported that the Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee has a new committee seat for a member of the Office of Human Resources (OHR). At their recent meeting they discussed a job security one-pager that they have been working on.

Guest: Charles Isbell, Provost

Provost Isbell provided feedback on ASEC’s draft charge for ad hoc review committees on academic staff professorial titles.

Since arriving on campus, a variety of people have raised concerns with the provost about the role of department chairs. He made this topic the focus of the recent leadership breakfast to get people engaged in the conversation.

The Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) initiative has largely been expressed in terms of new faculty hires, but there are several other components that go into it including money for startup costs, staff hires, and infrastructure needs. There will be an implementation team for each initiative that will focus on ensuring that we have enough people and resources for success.

The Secretary of the Academic Staff position is now posted, and Provost Isbell looks forward to appointing a search and screen committee after receiving ASEC’s nominations in a couple of weeks.

Motion to Convene in Closed Session Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to Discuss the Nominating Committee Slate and Appointments to the Ad Hoc Committee on Age in the Workplace (Stoddard Cameron). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to Reconvene in Open Session (Stoddard Cameron). Seconded. Approved.

Business

• Nominating Committee Slate and Appointments – for vote

Motion to approve the Nominating Committee slate (Ewer). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to appoint Jeff Armstrong, Maddie Blanchard, Donna Cole, Stephen Colleton, Diane Farsetta, Sharon Kahn, Tena Madison, Angela Thorp, and Holly Yan to the Ad Hoc Committee on Age in the Workplace (Stoddard Cameron). Seconded. Approved.

Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Vice Chancellor Cramer presented on the new budget approach. Goals of the new budget approach include to efficiently and fairly distribute resources; maintain fiscal health and responsible stewardship; enable leaders to act strategically; provide greater transparency and predictability; and reward collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The project’s executive sponsors, Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor Cramer, developed the draft budget approach. Task forces will consider the draft approach and bring questions and ideas to the coordinating committee. There is also a technical advisory committee that will help think through mechanical issues.

The plan is to pilot the new budget approach in fiscal year 2025 and implement in fiscal year 2026.

Business

• Ad Hoc Review Committees on Academic Staff Professorial Titles

ASEC will wait to see if there is additional feedback from the Provost Office on their draft committee charges and then determine next steps.

• March Assembly Agenda

In lieu of the provost’s report, there will be a brief presentation on the new budget approach. ASEC will vote on the agenda at their next meeting.

• Topics for Guests

Provost: strategy for AI implementation on campus; policies around AI use; how are we ensuring AI apps meet compliance requirements; conversation about professional development

OHR: what is the process for implementing new titles; is there a process for retiring titles; what specific components of the Principles of Supervision and Management program focus on equity and building healthy workplaces; do you benchmark with peers to determine what data sources should be used for salary structure updates; update on OCCFR and support for academic staff parents

Meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Lesley Fisher, Interim Secretary of the Academic Staff