Approved 01-30-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:15 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/94062364316

Members Present: Richard Barajas, Aaron Crandall, Alissa Ewer, Andrew Lokuta, Albert Muniz (chair), Terry Paape, Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich, Nola Walker

Guests: Irina Diaz, Lucien Gerondeau, Charles Isbell, Douachong Lee, Karen Massetti-Moran, Emily Reynolds, Julie Scharm, Patrick Sheehan, Jenny Skibba, Abbey Thompson, Scott Wildman

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.

The minutes of January 16 were approved.

General Reports

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that the Secretary of the Academic Staff office met with the Academic Staff Appeals Committee (ASAC) co-chairs to discuss the process for reviewing and updating ASAC operating guidelines.

Liaison Reports

Richard Barajas reported that the ASEC subcommittee on morale and climate met with the Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee (CEBC) co-chairs to discuss potential partnership around remote work. CEBC co-chairs will follow-up with committee members to consider this opportunity.

Aaron Crandall reported that the School of Education (SoE) Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) met with their dean, who expressed appreciation for the role of the CASI, including providing feedback on SoE policies and related matters. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) CASI discussed academic staff voting rights within the college’s departments.

Guest: Charles Isbell, Provost

The chancellor and provost met with Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA) staff to notify them about the leadership change and transition plans, and answer questions. Provost Isbell will serve as acting director of the DDEAA. His priority is to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly and will work closely with the DDEEA leadership team to support these efforts. An interim director will be named in the near future, followed by a permanent search. Discussions around assimilating RISE hires to campus is ongoing. An announcement on the visioning committee is expected to go out soon. It will share the committee purpose and individuals named on the committee. Membership will include faculty, staff, and students. There will be opportunities for all to engage with the committee, including shared governance groups.

Recessed at 2:01 p.m.

Reconvened at 2:11 p.m.

Business

• Bereavement leave resolution

The Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee will discuss resolution feedback at their next meeting. The Faculty Senate may vote on a similar resolution in March. For greater alignment and for more time to incorporate feedback, ASEC discussed the possibility of delaying a vote on the resolution to the March Assembly meeting.

• February Assembly Agenda

ASEC reviewed the Assembly agenda and will vote to approve it at their next meeting.

• Topics for Guests

VCFA: update on the ad hoc sustainability council; DEI audit; contingency planning for loss of NIH and NSF funding; chief of police search update; UWPD and changing federal landscape.

Guest: Guests: Patrick Sheehan, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Karen Massetti-Moran, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer

In compliance with the legislative agreement from 2023, campus continues its work to realign diversity, equity, and inclusion focused positions. Positions in scope are being reviewed to ensure they align with the campus vision for inclusive excellence. OHR emphasized the importance of clear and cohesive communication about the changes being proposed and the critical role of shared governance to elevate matters to leadership and ask questions. With Workday go-live on the horizon, communications will be ramping up this semester. OHR will partner with UW System on communications that impact employees across the system. Trainings for employees are also planned for this spring. During the cutover period, they anticipate a slowdown in some HR activities. OHR will host HR ATP Cutover meetings for the HR community to support cutover activities and communicate timely updates. 

Meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff