Approved 04-08-24

ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES

272 Bascom Hall

Monday, March 11, 2024

3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Provost Charles Isbell called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.

Memorial Resolution for Joan Leffler (ASA #827)

Jeanne Schueller read the memorial resolution for Joan Leffler.

Guest: Cynthia Czajkowski, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research

Interim Vice Chancellor Czajkowski provided an update on the research enterprise. As of December, the dean of the Graduate School reports to the provost, however a strong dotted line remains to the vice chancellor for research (VCR). There was also a name change from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR).

The search for a permanent VCR is in progress. There are several OVCR center leadership transitions as well. Searches are in progress for directors of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Wisconsin Ice Cube Particle Astrophysics Center, and UW-Madison Arboretum. The director of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) is retiring, and that search is expected to begin later this year.

In November, the National Science Foundation released its Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) data. Our research expenditures grew 10% between 2021 and 2022, topping $1.5 billion for the first time. We also saw a 17.2% increase in research awards from 2022 to 2023. Academic staff principal investigators were responsible for approximately 16% of research award dollars in fiscal year 2023.

A consulting firm was hired to do a high-level review of the RSP organizational structure and processes. New staff positions will be deployed with consideration of the consulting firm’s recommendations as well as consultation with RSP leadership.

A new unit was created to ensure compliance with federal research security requirements.

Guest: Joshua Schiffman, Director, Employee Assistance Office

The Employee Assistance Office (EAO) provides confidential services to help individuals deal with personal or work-related concerns. They primarily offer one-on-one counseling, but also offer consultation services, trainings, crisis response, and grief and loss support. Additionally, the EAO can assist with referrals to mental health professionals in the community. All employees, including graduate student employees, as well as family members of employees are eligible for 5 free sessions per issue.

LifeMatters is an additional resource offering similar confidential problem-solving services. Employees and their family members are eligible for 5 free sessions per year.

Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Vice Chancellor Cramer provided an update on the new budget approach. Goals of the new approach include an efficient and fair distribution of resources; better transparency and predictability; maintaining fiscal health and responsible stewardship; supporting strategic decision-making; and preserving our collaborative and innovative environment.

Vice Chancellor Cramer and the provost are the executive sponsors, and they developed a draft approach as a starting point. Task forces have been created to identify and consider implications of adopting the draft approach and will provide feedback and recommendations to a coordinating committee. The coordinating committee, which includes shared governance representation, will provide recommendations to the executive sponsors, who will bring their recommendations to the chancellor.

The scope of the new budget approach focuses on undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition, indirect costs, and Fund 101. The goal is to decide on the pilot approach before July, do a shadow year of the new approach during fiscal year 2025, and go live with the new budget approach in fiscal year 2026.

Automatic Consent Business

The Academic Staff Assembly minutes of Monday, February 12, 2024, were approved.

Reports

ASEC Chair Albert Muniz presented the ASEC report. The ASEC election is live, and Albert encouraged academic staff to vote by the March 19 deadline. The Secretary of the Academic Staff position has been posted, and applications will be accepted until March 20. Applications for the Academic Staff Professional Development Grant program are due by March 18.

ASPRO Board President Jenny Dahlberg presented the ASPRO report. The state legislative session is coming to a close. Last week, Governor Evers signed into law bills related to funding the engineering building project and Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity.

Assembly Standing Committee Slates (ASA #828)

Alison Rice, Nominating Committee Co-Chair, presented the slates for the Academic Staff Assembly Standing Committees. No nominations were added to any of the slates from the floor. The petition process for adding candidates to the slates will be sent out after the Assembly meeting.

Nominating Committee Slate (ASA #829)

Donna Cole, ASEC Member, presented the slate for the Nominating Committee. No nominations were added to the slate from the floor. The petition process for adding candidates to the slate will be sent out after the Assembly meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 5:02 pm.

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