Approved 10-24-24

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024

260 Bascom Hall

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/98598259734

Members Present: Richard Barajas, Aaron Crandall, Alissa Ewer, Andrew Lokuta, Albert Muniz (chair), Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich, Nola Walker

Members Absent: Terry Paape

Guests: Rob Cramer, Jenny Dahlberg, Charles Isbell, Jen Oasen, Jennifer Sutherland

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.

The minutes of October 3 were approved.

General Reports

Albert Muniz, ASEC Chair, reported that he spoke with a wide range of academic staff while staffing the academic staff governance table at the Employee Benefits and Resources Fair, and he found the opportunity to connect useful. Yesterday, the shared governance chairs met for the first time this academic year. They discussed common issues among faculty, academic staff, and students, as well as opportunities for partnership. They will continue to meet regularly. ASEC leadership met with Chief Human Resources Officer Patrick Sheehan earlier in the week. Topics discussed include Workday user testing, the position cap, and bereavement leave.

Lesley Fisher, Deputy Secretary of the Academic Staff, discussed the possibility of inviting the Career Counseling Office to present at a future Assembly meeting.

Liaison Reports

Nola Walker reported that the International Division Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) held their first meeting of the year. They discussed issues they want to focus on this year, which largely revolve around professional development opportunities.

Drew Lokuta reported that the Librarians’ Assembly Steering Committee is gathering feedback from Assembly members on how they should operate.

Diane Stojanovich reported that the Wisconsin Public Media CASI discussed the use of interim titles, title progression, and the possibility of doing a 5-year review.

Albert Muniz reported that Dean Wilcots provided the College of Letters and Science CASI an overview of what is happening at the College. Committee members discussed topics that they would like to cover this year, which include Workday, the title change process, the budget approach, the position cap, and the pods model.

Guests: Charles Isbell, Provost

Provost Isbell and ASEC discussed graduate student representation in shared governance. Officially, graduate students are represented by the Associated Students of Madison. Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, also has two groups that advise him: the Graduate Faculty Executive Committee and the Graduate School Academic Planning Council.

Finalist visits are happening soon for the Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs position. Provost Isbell discussed his vision for the role.

ASEC provided an update on the ad hoc review committees on academic staff professorial titles and discussed their desired outcomes of the committees’ work.

Recessed at 1:59 p.m.

Reconvened at 2:10 p.m.

Business

• Review November Assembly Agenda

ASEC reviewed a draft of the November Assembly agenda.

• Topics for next ASEC meeting (October 24) guests

VCIE: action steps related to the Black Community Experience Report; vision and goals for DDEEA liaisons; posting demographic information for applicants and admitted students

OHR: policy or guidelines around use of interim titles; disparities across campus when onboarding new employees; moving from a fixed-term terminal appointment to a fixed-term renewable appointment and data around this; pay disparities across divisions for staff with the same title

Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Vice Chancellor Cramer discussed the first phase of the West Campus District Plan, which is to replace the Biotron facility. The goal is to replace it with a mixed-use space that will include offices, laboratories, and private industry space.

Facilities Planning & Management (FPM) is currently conducting a facility condition assessment. This entails visiting each campus building to get a sense of its condition. About 41% of campus buildings are 50+ years old with respect to renovation age. FPM is also conducting a space utilization study to determine how buildings are currently being used and if we’re utilizing space well. The assessment and study will inform the next campus master plan.

Vice Chancellor Cramer provided an update on the budget approach. Three of the four established task forces have completed their work. The Wisconsin Idea Task Force is still conducting their work. The go-live date has been pushed back to July 1, 2026. This will prevent overlap with the Workday go-live on July 1, 2025.

Business

• Debrief

ASEC discussed the guest visits and follow-up items for future meetings.

Meeting adjourned at 3:13 p.m.

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