UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Litovsky, Ventura, Wanner (chair), Warfield

Others present: S. Smith, J. O’Meara, M. Felber, J. Richard, M. Aust, H. Daniels, C. Springer, M. Mayrl

Chair Anja Wanner called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The minutes of the meeting of March 26, 2018, were approved. Jack O’Meara reported on legislative activity and Michelle Felbers reported on PROFS activities. Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Michael Bernard-Donals briefed the University Committee on how departmental restructurings are being managed by schools/colleges and discussed department-like bodies and other structures. Ample discussion followed and UC will discuss further with deans’ offices and departmental chairs. 

Co-chairs of the Academic Staff Ad Hoc Committee on Research Scientists Megan Spurgeon and Shane Hubbard reported on the final report and recommendations of that committee [link]. Primary among these is the recommendation to create the position of Research Professor, which in many ways parallels the recommendation by a different ad hoc committee to create the position of Teaching Professor. Much discussion was had about funding, reviews, benchmarking, and so on. Next step is an “omnibus” committee to be convened by OHR/TTC to discuss the various “professor” titles.

Rec Sports Director John Horn and Rec Sports committee Chair Doug Reindl presented and discussed their annual report (covering the last two years). Discussion followed, including of ways to assist the committee with quorum and staffing. OSOF will help stabilize committee membership. Discussion also included SG history of this committee and whether changes are needed.

Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick Sims reported on the first meeting of the faculty diversity liaisons and on a conversation with CDCC members about the pending changes to that committee’s structure. The latter conversation also included planning for best ways for the CDCC and the DDEEA to collaborate in the future. Sims’s time with the UC concluded with a discussion of college/school-level diversity activity.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank reported on activities during this sprint towards the end of the semester: Board of Regents meeting, Academic Staff Excellence award from System, facilities, ad hoc committee reports, Athletics review, and more. Wanner adjourned the meeting at 2:44 p.m.