Approved 04-03-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025

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

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

Members Absent: Richard Barajas

Guests: Emily Beach, Rob Cramer, Charles Isbell, Stephanie Jones, Alexius Lampkin, Leah Madison, Jen Oasen, Julie Scharm, Scott Wildman, Kent Weigel

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

The minutes of March 6 were approved.

General Reports

Albert Muniz, ASEC Chair, reported the ad hoc committee on age in the workplace is making good progress on their report. Shared governance groups also met to continue discussion of a draft letter to campus leadership.

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that the Office of Human Resources (OHR) shared a draft charter for a UW-Madison institutional ethics committee seeking academic staff governance input. ASEC will invite OHR to a future meeting to discuss the draft charter and provide feedback.

Liaison Reports

Andrew Lokuta reported that the Libraries Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI)/Librarians’ Assembly is organizing a town hall for academic staff. They are also considering options regarding appointments and nominations for positions on the Librarians’ Assembly. 

Diane Stojanovich reported that the Wisconsin Public Media (WPM) CASI discussed Workday, including the upcoming training. They also discussed a memorial resolution for their former director, Heather Reese.

Nola Walker reported that the Campus Planning Committee received an update on the Facilities Condition Assessment Study. Additionally, Missy Nergard, Director of the Office of Sustainability, presented on the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Framework Plan. The Mentoring Committee debriefed a recent mentoring chat event and discussed remaining events for this spring.

Alissa Ewer reported that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) CASI held open office hours to hear from constituents. Topics regarding onboarding employees and access to parking for new employees were raised by attendees. The CASI has also started work on their five-year report.

Nicole Senter reported the College of Engineering CASI discussed federal activity impacts as well as building community within the college. They are working to create a logo. The School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) CASI is finalizing their five-year review. The Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee met with the College of Letters & Science leadership to discuss Administrative Regional Teams.

Guest: Charles Isbell, Provost

Provost Isbell discussed federal activities, including the executive order to cut funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. He also provided an overview of the process campus has in place for intake of executive orders for review and prioritization.

Guest: Kent Weigel, Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs (VPFSA)

VPFSA Weigel discussed the Unified Hostile and Intimidating Behavior (HIB) Policy. HIB investigations moved to the Office of Compliance, and he is optimistic that the process in place will allow investigations to establish norms. Recently, he met with the leadership from the ad hoc professorial title review committees and co-chairs from the ad hoc working group on researchers and scientists to discuss their progress and ways he can support their work.

Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA)

With the recently announced Workday layoffs, VCFA Cramer confirmed Workday made them aware of the update and assured UW System and UW-Madison that it will not impact service provisions. It is expected that Workday will meet the merits of the contract. Campus continues to focus its efforts on tracking federal activities. In general, endowments sponsor specific activities within UW. The ability of campus to draw on earnings from endowments to support areas impacted by federal funding loss requires going through each endowment to see what flexibility exists. Governor Evers’ 2025-2027 capital budget proposal is favorable to addressing critical infrastructural improvements on campus.

Recessed at 3:00 p.m.

Reconvened at 3:05 p.m.

Business

• Shared governance letter

ASEC reviewed the draft letter. Edits must be provided by April 11.

• April Assembly agenda

ASEC will vote on the Assembly agenda at its next meeting on April 3.

• Topics for Guests

OHR: letters of expectation; layoffs and furloughs

Meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff