Approved 03-20-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/94062364316

Members Present: Aaron Crandall, Alissa Ewer, Andrew Lokuta, Albert Muniz (chair), Terry Paape, Nicole Senter, Nola Walker

Members Absent: Richard Barajas, Diane Stojanovich

Guests: Barret Elward, Robin Kurtz, Lori Reesor, Don Schutt, Scott Wildman

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

The minutes of February 27 were approved.

General Reports

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that Brent Plisch was named the UW–Madison Police Department chief of police. Mallory reminded ASEC of the upcoming Chancellor and University Committee sponsored lecture titled "Bridging Identities, Strengthening Pluralism: A Discussion with Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America,” on Wednesday, March 12 at Memorial Union. Mallory also reported that Vice Chancellor for Research, Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, cancelled their May Assembly visit. ASEC discussed additional guests to invite instead.

Liaison Reports

Alissa Ewer reported at the UW System shared governance meeting there was discussion on messaging of federal activities at each of the campuses. UW System Administration’s Interim Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Kelly Cook, presented on changes to the Performance Management and Development Program (PMDP) with the Workday implementation. The PMDP will have a tiered structure for expectations. Representatives had questions about how the options will impact pay plan eligibility.

Guests: Robin Kurtz and Don Schutt, UW-Madison Ombuds Office

Robin and Don discussed the 2023-2024 Ombuds Annual Report. There was a 15.4% increase in the number of cases, and the average number of hours per case was 1.5. The Ombuds office is piloting mediation services this year. These services are supported by a mediator position, held by a senior Ombuds who completed a three-year term of service and attended and successfully completed mediator training in summer 2024.

Guest: Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Lori discussed student impacts regarding the current federal activities. In these challenging times, she acknowledged frustrations over the lack of communication and shared her office has been meeting with students to discuss their concerns.

Recessed at 2:33 p.m.

Reconvened at 2:43 p.m.

Business

• Shared governance letter

ASEC reviewed draft language, including updates to the academic staff specific sections of the letter.

• ASPP Chapter 13 Change

ASEC reviewed a proposed change to ASPP Chapter 13 to address a discrepancy regarding the size of districts. This change is slated for vote at the April Assembly meeting. 

• April Assembly Agenda

ASEC reviewed the April Assembly agenda. Chancellor Mnookin is scheduled to give a presentation. Kathi Kilgore, the Academic Staff Public Representation Organization (ASPRO) lobbyist, will also present at the April Assembly.

• Topics for Guests

Provost: reactions to Secretary of the Department of Education’s statement regarding the department’s ‘Final Mission’; DDEEA update

VPFSA: unified HIB policy; remote work; recent engagement with stakeholders, ad hoc committees reviewing academic staff professorial titles, and ad hoc working group on researchers and scientists

VCFA: how will Workday layoffs impact Workday services provided to UW System and UW-Madison; budget reduction scenarios to address potential federal funding loss

Meeting adjourned at 3:31 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff