Approved 01-11-24

ASEC Minutes

1:55 – 4:30 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024

53 Bascom Hall

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/93223941305

Members Present: Donna Cole; Stephanie Elkins; Alissa Ewer; Julie Hunt Johnson; Terry Paape; Lindsey Stoddard Cameron; Nola Walker

Guests: Jenny Dahlberg; Heather Daniels, Megan Dzyuba, Diane Farsetta; Lucien Gerondeau, Jaimee Gilford; Lauren Hasselbacher; Eden Inoway-Ronnie; Nancy Lynch; Emily Reynolds, Patrick Sheehan; Andrew Turner; Brian Vaughan; Scott Wildman

The meeting was called to order at 1:56 p.m.

The minutes of December 7 were approved.

Guests: Nancy Lynch, Jaimee Gilford, Lauren Hasselbacher, and Brian Vaughan, Office of Legal Affairs and Office of Compliance (Unified HIB Policy)

A draft of a new unified hostile and intimidating behavior (HIB) policy was presented to ASEC. Currently, there are three different HIB policies: a faculty policy, an academic staff policy, and a university staff policy. The three policies have been consolidated into the proposed unified policy, with aspects of each being incorporated. The unified policy would be applied equally across appointment categories, and the Office of Compliance would manage formal investigations. The new online HIB training just launched, and once this unified policy is finalized it will be incorporated into the training.

General Reports

Lesley Fisher, Acting Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that appointments with the career counseling team are currently limited due to one of their full-time counselors being out on leave. Employees with non-urgent career counseling needs are encouraged to visit their newly redesigned website. The new online HIB training module is live.

Liaison Reports

Stephanie Elkins reported that the Librarians’ Assembly is reviewing their bylaws and thinking about the structure of their committee. They also recently hosted a hybrid bookshare event.

Nola Walker reported on the Engineering CASI meeting. They finalized committee values and will be hosting a meet-and-greet event in February.

Alissa Ewer reported that the School of Education CASI recently met with Dean Hess and are hoping to have the same type of engagement with the next dean. They are reviewing their bylaws and awarding professional development grants to staff in the School.

Guests: Patrick Sheehan, Chief Human Resources Officer and Karen Massetti-Moran, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, Office of Human Resources (OHR)

Patrick emphasized that the position cap that is part of the legislative agreement is not a position freeze. OHR is working to determine our current total position count, and which positions are and are not included in the count as defined by the agreement. They are also working to establish processes for ongoing tracking and reporting of positions, as well as the approval process for posting positions.

OHR is strategizing on how to comply with the legislative agreement as it relates to positions focused on DEI. They will be collaborating with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement on reviewing possible job mapping changes. OHR is also working to finalize the title change appeals policy, which will allow staff to appeal a change in title. Affected staff will not see an impact to their compensation due to any title changes made as part of the agreement.

The UW Employees, Inc. board informed the Universities of Wisconsin that the UW Employees, Inc. life insurance plan will be terminated, and coverage will end on January 1, 2025. It is an antiquated benefit type that is not heavily utilized, and other benefit types provide better coverage at a lower cost. Coverage will be provided to employees currently enrolled in the plan at no cost through the end of 2024.

Business

• Age in the Workplace Committee Charge Discussion

Motion to approve the draft charge (Paape). Seconded. Approved. The draft charge will be sent to Assembly representatives and alternates for feedback. ASEC will review feedback at their meeting on January 18.

• February Assembly Agenda

Chief Diversity Officer LaVar Charleston will be presenting the annual state of diversity address at the February meeting.

• Topics for Guests

Provost: next steps to ensure we’re strengthening our attention to EDIB issues; how are affected staff involved in reimagining DEI-focused positions; generative AI use on campus; feedback about the dean of the Graduate School reporting line change; how was first graduation

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Lesley Fisher, Acting Secretary of the Academic Staff