Approved minutes for April 3, 2017          Approved April 10, 2017

UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Broman, Litovsky, Wanner, Wendt (chair)

Others present: S. Smith, J. Richard, M. Felber, H. Daniels, C. Springer, J. Lucas, M. Bernard-Donals

Chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Secretary Steve Smith informed the UC that faculty elections have gone live and that the annual UC dinner will be held on June 29. 

Minutes of the meetings of March 24, 2017, and March 27, 2017, were approved. Michelle Felber announced that a PROFS legislative update will be circulated at the Senate meeting and that public hearings on the state budget have begun. There will be six over the next 2 weeks, including one today in Platteville, the closest hearing to Madison, where students are testifying against the fee opt out provision. A third panelist has been confirmed for the insurance forum to be held next Thursday. Some discussion on legal fiscal bureau and other budget testimony. The UC postponed discussion of possible blanket dual role waivers for directed study and short-term assignments to a future meeting and also directed the SOF to request input from Academic Staff on the matter. The UC discussed the impending Faculty Senate meeting, including some brainstorming on ways to increase future pools for Hilldale Awards (and Lectures). Wendt called attention to memo from Dean Scholz on the Faculty Assistant resolution, which led to much discussion. Substance of resolution is supported, but Senate not appropriate venue. 

Bowers moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. The motion was seconded and approved at 1:24 p.m. The UC considered a dual role waiver request. While the committee is favorably disposed to the request itself, additional information on the impact of the dual role on the individual’s workload is needed prior to deciding on the waiver request. The UC nominated a faculty member to a joint UAPC/CPC seat and one faculty member and a backup to both the Committee on Access and Accommodation in Instruction and the University Book Store Board. The UC discussed appointment terms and election slates for the University Research Council with VCRGE Marsha Mailick; appointed seats will be staggered, with two people being renewed for a term of 4 years and two for a term of 3 years. Mailick also updated the UC on the status of the IRB working group; invitations have been sent out and will be made public once confirmed/accepted. Broman moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 1:50 p.m. 

Mailick and the UC reviewed a recent editorial from the Chronicle of Higher Education [Long-SoughtResearchDeregulationIsUponUs.Don’tSquandertheMoment] on university research. Senior leadership have discussed the points raised in this article, an appropriate frame for discussions and actions on IRB and research rankings. Mailick has launched a blog to facilitate dialogue with research communities, particularly around federal developments. Nadine Connor has been appointed as associate vice chancellor for research and compliance and Karen Oberhauser has accepted appointment as Arboretum Director. Possible federal defunding of NEA and NEH is a serious concern; UW currently receives about $400,000 per year from these agencies. Backup plans are being developed and will be further discussed with the UC as they develop. This relatively small amount is critical to the arts and humanities on campus. OVCRGE, Memorial Library, and L&S have organized a research funding workshop for humanities to be held on April 7. In response to UC concerns about restrictions on use of internal grants, Mailick pointed to a joint senior leadership initiative to reduce administrative barriers to excellence in research. The provost, VCFA, and VCRGE are drafting a mission statement, but the group has already resolved one million-dollar research issue regarding short-term employees overseas. The group will also look into the issues raised by the UC. Ample discussion ensued.

Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf will be joined by Tom Broman in Platteville for the Board of Regents meeting at the end of the week. Mangelsdorf and the UC discussed the ever-closer Faculty Senate meeting. Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charlie Hoslet invited University Communications Director John Lucas to introduce the new campus listserv library for official email communications. Lucas projected and explained the site, part of the suite of changes resulting from the communications APR project that also includes Working at UW, the connected newsletter, and language lines of information from the newsletter. The listserv library should launch officially by the end of this semester. Campus leadership will have access to various bulk email lists all in one place, with access granted based on position (Bascom, governance, deans and directors, etc.). The listservs will be moderated for a while in order to gauge usage. Discussion included appropriate usage of the lists, possible ways to reduce email overload, and possible ways to categorize and/or bundle messages. Hoslet updated the UC on the Badger Spring Family Visit (each weekend in April), Sibs Day (April 8), and activities related to the state budget (MadREP event with chancellor Blank and the Whitewater chancellor for business leaders; UW Lobby Day; and Research in the Rotunda). Brief discussion about monitoring of workload.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank indicated that all expectations are that PTR will go through BOR later this week smoothly. UW Communications is working with OSOF on a statement about tenure changes for posting after the BOR meeting. Other items on the BOR agenda include SERF funding, Amazon pickup point, and some other contracts. Blank is looking forward to Hilldale awards presentation and reception later today. ROTC leadership came to Olin House last week. The statewide Fund for Wisconsin Scholars will hold a reception on Wednesday. This need-based award funded by the Morgridges has become an important part of financial aid. Next week the chancellor starts a series of talks around the area with other chancellors as part of business outreach efforts, including MadREP event noted above and events with MKE chancellor at Rotary Clubs in both cities. JFC hearings have begun. Higher education groups (APLU and AAU particularly) are gearing up for lobbying federal government on budget issues. Discussion, which included Chronicle article mentioned above, IRBs, and ICR. Blank praised the IRB report and subsequent actions and reiterated need for change, which must include clear and consistent guidelines on timing and process. Wendt adjourned the meeting at 2:59 p.m.