Minutes for November 25, 2019

UC members present: Warfield (chair), Campagnola, Halverson, Sandgren, Ventura (late), Wolf

Others present: Jane Richard (minutes), Heather Daniels, Jake Smith, Michelle Felber, Bill Tishler, Amol Goyol, Matthew Mitnick

Chair Warfield called the meeting to order at 1:17.  Secretary of the Academic Staff Heather Daniels asked the UC to consider using the title “teaching faculty” instead of “faculty associate.” (Teaching faculty is in contrast to the recently approved title teaching professor, which requires an advanced degree). Anecdotes and discussion were generally favorable, but the conversation will continue. Jack O’Meara of PROFS reported that the “Mark Cook Bill” (Assembly Bill 758/Senate Bill 671, which regulates how the university contracts with companies in which faculty or other university employees have a financial interest) was signed into law on November 21. Sandgren gave an update on the on-going discussions regarding the protest policy. The minutes of the meeting of November 18, 2019 were approved by consent

Bill Tishler, Academic Staff Executive Council, led a discussion about the need for more robust policies for undergraduate online education. The UC agreed that more analysis needs to be done.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank enthused over her recent tour of the Wisconsin Insect Research Collection (WIRC), housed in Russell Laboratories. She was ready to present a Wisconsin resident enrollment plan to the next board of regents meeting: to increase the overall number of incoming students and include transfer, off-cycle, and Minnesota contract students (who pay in-state tuition). A lively discussion ensued that transitioned into one about online courses and how they are different from the in-person experience and how departments might benefit. Currently being tested for graduate programs and life-long learning, online courses may be especially useful to serve non-traditional students, like those wishing to finish a degree after a long time away from school.

Sandgren moved to convene in closed session at 2:40, and the motion was seconded. The committee discussed personnel matters.

The committee reconvened in open session and Warfield adjourned the meeting at 3:31.