Chancellor Rebecca Blank called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. with 135 voting members present (109 needed for quorum) and presented her State of the University Address. After welcoming new senators and introducing new leadership, Blank highlighted accomplishments in recent months, including launching UW’s largest-ever fundraising campaign and welcoming the largest and one of the most diverse freshman classes in the university’s history. She recognized that there is no question that this is a challenging time for the UW and outlined the two key strategies for creating a stronger and more resilient university: building a more stable financial base and making sure this is a place where outstanding people want to be. The details of these include, among other elements, a new budget communication strategy, greater financial independence from uncertain state dollars through development of multiple revenue streams, investment in compensation, finalization of post-tenure review policies, and focused engagement on climate and inclusion. [The entirety of the address is available as both audio file here (State of the University address), and at secfac.wisc.edu/Faculty-Senate.htm.] 

University Committee Chair Amy Wendt outlined plans for the coming year. Several questions were put to the chancellor concerning compensation, climate, summer session, bonding, and outreach. The minutes of the meeting of May 2 and the special meeting of May 17, 2016, were approved as submitted. Chancellor Blank called attention to Faculty Document 2633, “Highlights of Faculty Legislation, 2015-2016.” Information Technology Committee Chair Rafael Lazimy and Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Steven Cramer presented information on the Canvas learning management system. There were two questions.(Faculty document 2634)

Professor Wendt moved adoption of Faculty Document 2635, which endorses the return of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. There was one question and the motion passed by voice vote.

Professor Wendt moved approval of Faculty Document 2636, which implements changes to the academic calendar. Professor Tom Broman (District 120, University Committee) moved to amend the document to “Set fall semester commencement to always be on the Sunday during the summary period or on the Sunday immediately following the summary period when the summary period ends on a Friday or Saturday.” There was no discussion and the amendment passed unanimously by voice vote. Assistant Professor Betsy Stovall (District 63, Mathematics) moved to amend the document to eliminate the changes to Faculty Legislation II-105(6), thereby leaving that aspect of the policy as currently written: “Course grades must be completed by each instructor and submitted to the Office of the Registrar within six calendar days (144 hours) from the date and hour of the two-hour block scheduled during the summary period.” The motion was seconded. There were several questions and comments and the amendment passed by voice vote. There were two comments on the overall proposal as amended. The academic calendar changes as amended passed by voice vote (related polices: Faculty documents 2636a and 2632)

Professor Wendt moved adoption of Faculty Document 2637, which increases flexibility regarding Senate alternates. There was no discussion and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Professor Ruth Litovsky (Communication Sciences & Disorders) moved endorsement of the institutional statement on the campus commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (Faculty Document 2638). The motion was seconded and there was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Professor Wendt presented revisions to the campus post-tenure review policy (Faculty Document 2639) for a first reading. There were four comments, which will be taken into account prior to this matter being brought to the Senate for a vote at its next meeting (and faculty document 2639a).

The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m.

Steven K. Smith

Secretary of the Faculty

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