Approved 06-05-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, 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: Michael Bernard-Donals, Heather Daniels, Natalia de Leon, Ashley Hagen, Charles Isbell, Annie Jones, Bob Mathieu, Percival Matthews, Craig Thompson, John Zumbrunnen, Ellen Zweibel

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

The minutes of May 8 and May 15 were approved.

General Reports

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, reminded ASEC about the upcoming Academic Staff Professionals Representation Association and Public Representation Organization of the Faculty Senate hosted meeting with State Representative Alex Joers on May 27.

Liaison Reports

Alissa Ewer reported that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) met with Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Director of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP), Kurt McMillen, to discuss opportunities for RSP morale. RSP recently posted their strategic plan for 2025-2027 on their website: https://rsp.wisc.edu/. ASEC discussed inviting Kurt to a future meeting. As ASEC vice chair, Alissa met with the Ad Hoc Committee on Age in the Workplace co-chairs, Stephen Colleton and Tena Madison, to discuss progress of the draft report. A meeting will be scheduled for the co-chairs to discuss the draft with ASEC.

Andrew Lokuta reported that the Librarians’ Assembly/CASI steering committee met to start planning for the next fiscal year. 

Motion to Convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss nominations for ASEC chair and vice chair, and a personnel matter (Stojanovich). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to Reconvene in Open Session (Stojanovich). Seconded. Approved.

Guest: Craig Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Relations (VCUR)

The Office of University Relations is diligently focused on advancing UW–Madison’s priorities as it relates to the 2025-2027 state budget and current federal activities. The Office of Federal Relations, a unit within the Office of University Relations, has experienced some staff turnover. Laura Phillips is working in Washington, D.C. as the university’s new director of congressional affairs. She has served in this role since August 2024. The federal relations office is planning to hire another staff member in the research area.

Recessed at 3:00 p.m.

Reconvened at 3:05 p.m.

Business

• ASEC chair/vice chair – for vote

ASEC elected Alissa Ewer and Diane Stojanovich as its chair and vice chair, respectively, for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.

• Letter regarding survey delay

ASEC discussed a draft letter to the authors of the systemwide faculty and instructional academic staff survey on Freedom of Expression, Academic Freedom, Viewpoint Diversity, and Civil Discourse requesting the survey be delayed until Spring 2026.

• Topics for Guests

VPFSA: CASI Coalition Letter meeting; role of the VPFSA

VCSC: engagement with Deans Council; Research Moves Us Forward site (https://news.wisc.edu/research-impact/); communication at the department level vs school/college vs central campus

OHR: CASI Coalition Letter meeting

Meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff