University Committee Meeting Minutes 2026-02-23
Minutes for February 23, 2026
UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Chui, de Leon, Kendall, Mathieu
Others present: Michaela Aust, Gillian Drummond, Michelle Felber, Zoey Jiang, Ashley Hagen, Becky Jacobs, Genevieve Lambert, Sabine Martin, Julie Scharm
Chair pro tem Bernard-Donals called the meeting to order at 1:19 pm.
Dean Marcelle Haddix from the School of Education and the University Committee discussed shared governance both within the school as well as connections between the UC and schools/colleges.
Susan Ellis Weismer and Regina Murphy, part of the ombuds program, reported that there are now 7 ombuds that are all retired faculty and staff. The ombuds provide a confidential, impartial, informal resources that engages in listening and references. In 2024-25, they had just over 500 visitors. Based on their experiences, they have suggested to the provost that supervisors could use more oversight and training.
The minutes from February 16, 2026, meeting were approved.
The University Committee approved sending a response to the copyright policy edits.
The University Committee discussed the chapter 10 FPP edit and will bring it forward to the Senate for consideration. They also added a resolution about federal immigration agents on campus.
John Zumbrunnen, Interim Provost, shared that interest in a system level policy regarding Artificial Intelligence was brought up at the February Board of Regents meeting. UW-Madison has a policy about the safe use of AI related to data and cybersecurity, but no pedagogy policy. UW-Madison deans have been discussing AI readiness, and the UC expressed interest in participating in these discussions.
The cost of RISE hires is within the original amount budgeted by the VCFA, $30 million in base salaries and $90 million in start-up/infrastructure costs. They have redirected some funding towards the HQs and renovation as well as research/computing costs. Regarding metrics for the program, some ideas include hiring, output of research dollars, collaborative grant success, new courses and cross-disciplinary academic programs.
The strategic framework is on track to be released this spring. UW-Madison is not discussing the idea of 3-year degrees although the campus’ accreditation body would allow for this.
Kathryn Sanchez, chair of the Committee on Disability Access and Inclusion, reported that the committee focused on a plaque acknowledging the complicated history of Van Hise in Van Hise hall. They have been working closely with offices and services on campus to collaborate.
Chief Brent Plisch, UW Police Department, said they have been watching the immigration actions in Minnesota and talking with law enforcement officers there. They are staying in touch with local and state partners to discuss what their response would be and participating in discussions on campus. UWPD has a policy which prohibits them from engaging in immigration activities.
He also discussed Flock, which is an automated license plate reader technology. It captures public information about vehicles on the roadway and does not have facial recognition technology. They have used them for 8 months and found them to be useful in solving crimes.
UWPD has put in a number of safeguards including that no agency outside the state of Wisconsin is able to access the data and must complete a request to the UWPD. There is an audit trail for any information that is accessed. Accessing information requires case number and the name of the investigator and the reason for the request. Only 9 individuals at UWPD have access to the system. The ability of the system to compare automatically compare license plates to amber alerts, silver alerts and stolen vehicles or license plates has been disabled.
Bernard-Donals adjourned the meeting at 3:10 pm.
Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.