Academic Staff Executive Committee Minutes 02-19-2026

Approved 02-26-26

ASEC Agenda

1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2026

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97722653207

Members present: Aaron Crandall, Richard Barajas, Hanna Blazel, Alissa Ewer (chair), Eunsook Jung, Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich

Members absent: Terry Paape and Nola Walker

Guests: Emily Reynolds, Dan Tokaji, Scott Wildman, John Zumbrunnen

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

Motion to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss the Nominating Committee slate (Senter). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to reconvene in open session (Blazel). Seconded. Approved.

Business

• Nominating Committee slate – for vote

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

The minutes of February 5 were approved.

Guest: John Zumbrunnen, Interim Provost

At the Spring 2026 Academic Leadership Breakfast Chancellor Mnookin reflected on her time at the UW. Interim Zumbrunnen presented on a number of topics including measles, immigration, Budget Approach, and Act 15. Currently there are no active measles cases on campus. University Health Services hosted measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine clinics for students and staff.  UW–Madison launched a new vaccine disclosure requirement for students. Campus created a new webpage for guidance on federal immigration activity: news.wisc.edu/federal-immigration-activity/. The Budget Approach will go live on July 1, 2026. When it is first implemented, the campus will use hold harmless calculations for schools, colleges, and divisions. As part of Act 15, UW System received $25 million to attract tenure-track faculty in high-demand fields. An additional $2 million was provided to UW–Madison for high-demand faculty in areas that promote diversity of thought and the foundation of free markets. Regarding the core general education requirements (CGER), courses on campus are being mapped to the CGER categories. Campus is also working on an instructional workload policy. Interim Provost Zumbrunnen anticipates the policy will be available for the March Academic Staff Assembly meeting.

Guest: Dan Tokaji, Dean of the University of Wisconsin Law School

In Dean Tokaji’s first year at UW–Madison, the Law School developed and implemented an ambitious strategic plan, most of which has been accomplished. The school is working on its next strategic plan. Following an interactive and inclusive process that incorporates broad input, including academic staff, the goal is to approve the next strategic plan by the end of the semester. The next strategic plan will need to be mindful of budget realities and will likely necessitate enhanced fundraising and the pursuit of additional external revenue opportunities. 

The Law School Committee on All Staff Issues (CASI) has been especially active over the past 3-4 years. University staff are also members of the CASI. The Dean regularly attends CASI meetings.

General Reports

ASEC Chair Alissa Ewer received a request from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) to communicate about the Operational Excellence Advancement Program (OpEx). This request aligns with the VCFA office’s broader effort to elevate awareness of OpEx through multiple communication channels. At a recent ASEC listening session, questions were raised about the institution’s use of outside consultants, including the use of consultants engaged to support Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP). ASEC intends to address this topic once the new director of RSP has been appointed.

Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf reported that the finalist public presentations for the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs position will take place the week of February 23^rd.

Liaison Reports

Richard Barajas reported that the School of Veterinary Medicine Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) discussed expanding CASI membership to include university staff. The committee is also working on its five-year self-study report.  

Hannah Blazel reported that the Law School CASI discussed clinical teaching faculty and the Act 15 teaching workload policy, consistency for onboarding staff, and the school’s strategic plan.

Nicole Senter reported the Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee (CEBC) shared a layoff support document for ASEC to review. At CEBC’s recent meeting they discussed the Deloitte report, OpEx, Link UW, and the staff climate survey.  

Aaron Crandall reported that the Districting and Representation Committee continues its work to determine how to assign academic staff to districts using Workday data.

Diane Stojanovich reported on the Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) CASI meeting. Interim Executive Director of WPM Jordan Seigler provided the committee with an update on the unit’s strategic plan. Finalist public presentations for the executive director of WPM begin tomorrow and end on February 27^th. The presentations will be video-recorded and available to the university community until March 2^nd at 5 p.m.

Chair Ewer reported that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research CASI plans to add a co-chair role to the committee. This addition will require an update to the committee bylaws and a vote for formal approval. The CASI also discussed international and out-of-state remote work.

Business

• March Assembly agenda

ASEC reviewed the agenda. Chair Ewer reminded ASEC that feedback on the draft surveillance resolution is due on February 20^th. 

• Topics for ASEC meeting guests:

Interim Provost: PhD Project

CoE Dean: strategic priorities; staff interactions and input; CASI engagement

• OHR: remote work; framework for establishing and expanding new units/central service units; TTC and salary ranges; strategies to support employee retention

Meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff