Approved 05-22-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 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: Lucien Gerondeau, Charles Isbell, Patrick Sheehan, Kent Weigel

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

The minutes of May 1 were approved.

General Reports

Albert Muniz, ASEC Chair, reported that the Budget Approach Coordinating Committee discussed the work of the Wisconsin Idea Task Force, including the development of a database to capture work activities occurring across the state that focus on the Wisconsin Idea. The Budget Approach website was recently updated: https://finadmin.wisc.edu/budgetapproach/.

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff (SOAS), reported that Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) Coalition Letter meeting is scheduled for May 21. Members of ASEC and the University Committee (UC) met with authors of the Universities of Wisconsin Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Survey on Freedom of Expression, Academic Freedom, Viewpoint Diversity, and Civil Discourse. ASEC asked the SOAS office to inquire with the UC about a request regarding the survey timeline.

Liaison Reports

Nola Walker reported that the International Division CASI had their last meeting of the academic year. They are planning to submit their five-year review.

Guest: Charles Isbell, Provost

On April 14, the International Division and Office of Student Assistance and Support organized a town hall for international students, scholars, faculty, and staff to help facilitate information and awareness of resources. Students and former students affected by SEVIS record terminations have had their records returned to active status. Campus notified students of the recent change to their records. The International Division continues to support those impacted.

The Undergraduate Student Experience Working Group is focused on the student experience on campus, including the student support structure.

Following Derek Kindle’s departure for a vice president role at the University of Oregon, Scott Owczarek will serve as interim vice provost for enrollment management.

Guest: Kent Weigel, Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs (VPFSA)

VPFSA Weigel expressed appreciation for the Academic Staff Chats. The topics covered this spring were career progression and promotion and change management. The VPFSA was recently added as a member of the RISE Core Team.

Guest: Patrick Sheehan, Chief Human Resources Officer

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) does not track staff positions transferring from departments to shared services units. Regarding centralized growth, CHRO Sheehan recommended ASEC meet with Haley Rogers and Paul Seitz from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration to present and discuss comparative peer data, which shows UW-Madison is below its peers. For staff transitions in units undergoing reorganization, OHR is proactive in making units aware of the complexity of the change and the potential for significant impacts. OHR provides a number of resources to support impacted staff including the Employee Assistance Office, LifeMatters, and Career Counseling office. The Learning and Talent Development office provides train-the-trainer models to support supervisors and managers to engage in these conversations of transitions. The Ombuds is another resource available to employees.

The campus is rapidly approaching workday go-live. Training is underway and data shows many employees are completing the training. Self-service training opened on May 6. OHR leads are providing information on several areas including remote work agreements, time absence, performance management, etc. Important notices will go out clarifying when access to HRS will end. Work is in progress on a post Workday go-live support model. Campus is planning to utilize a ticketing system to help track and address common issues and questions.

Recessed at 3:02 p.m.

Reconvened at 3:07 p.m.

Business

• Draft Resolution to Establish a Mutual Defense Compact for the Universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance in Defense of Academic Freedom, Institutional Integrity, and the Research Enterprise

ASEC edited the resolution for the Special Assembly meeting.  

• Assembly Special Meeting Agenda – for vote

Motion to approve the Assembly Special Meeting agenda (Barajas). Seconded. Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 3:31 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff