Approved 05-12-25

ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES

272 Bascom Hall

Monday, April 14, 2025

3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

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

Guest: Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor

Chancellor Mnookin thanked the Assembly for their shared governance service. She also thanked Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) Chair, Albert Muniz, and ASEC Vice Chair, Alissa Ewer, for their leadership.

The termination of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records is affecting some of our international students and alumni. More than two dozen international students and recent alumni had their SEVIS records terminated by the federal government. The university only learns of terminations by checking a database. In several cases, it is unclear what necessitated the termination. Campus has provided impacted individuals with resources and information on legal services. The university cannot offer direct legal assistance for personal matters. Vice Provost and Dean of the International Division, Fran Vavrus, sent out a message to campus leaders regarding resources. Anyone on campus with questions should contact International Student Services and International Faculty & Staff Services. Campus leadership is not aware of any UW–Madison community member being apprehended or detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Office of Legal Affairs has provided guidance in the event there are government agents on campus. Those details are provided on the federal relations website. 

Campus leadership continues to evaluate executive orders and directives from the federal government. Chancellor Mnookin and Vice Chancellor for Research, Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, spent the week of spring break in Washington, D.C. meeting with members of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation and some committees, including the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Agriculture. Overall, the meetings were positive. They discussed a range of ramifications the campus is facing in light of current federal activities.

On Friday, April 11, the Department of Energy announced it would limit the indirect rate to 15%. A lawsuit was filed today to halt the proposed rate reduction. UW–Madison provided a declaration as a supporting document to the lawsuit.

Some lawsuits have resulted in court orders blocking the federal government from executing their directives until further legal judgment has been reached.   There is a permanent injunction on the NIH funding cut. This means that until it goes to appeal that injunction is in place. It is unclear when the appeal will happen.

With the challenging and highly uncertain environment, campus has taken some steps with respect to its budget. Provost Isbell, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Rob Cramer, and Chancellor Mnookin sent an all-employee message last month detailing budget planning for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. All schools, colleges, and divisions are expected to implement fiscal controls for 101 and 150 funds, including evaluation of position vacancies and a reduction in non-essential spending on travel, supplies, equipment, and events. For fiscal year 2026, all schools, colleges, and divisions were asked to develop budget reduction scenarios for 5% and 10% cuts. Campus leadership will also review all central campus funding for one-time commitments. There is a lot of uncertainty around the impacts of the recently announced tariffs. Associated inflation may raise costs in some areas on campus, particularly in the research and infrastructure space.

On Friday, April 11, the Legislative Audit Bureau released its report on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities. The report focuses on all state agencies, including the Universities of Wisconsin. Campus leadership is reviewing the audit report to better understand its full contents.

Chancellor Mnookin provided an update on the university’s commitments made to the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) in Spring 2024.

The state budget process is in full swing. Governor Evers introduced his biennial budget proposal in February and capital budget in March. Both include significant investment in our campus. The Joint Finance Committee has begun holding public hearings around the state. There is a robust advocacy effort underway.

The Visioning Committee developed some initial concepts. There will be a set of community conversations to learn about the committee’s concepts and react to them. A survey is also available to provide input. Chancellor Mnookin encouraged academic staff to participate in these activities.

Guest: Kathi Kilgore, Academic Staff Professionals Representation Organization (ASPRO)

ASPRO is a professional organization outside of the university and represents the interests of academic staff across the Universities of Wisconsin. Kathi serves as the executive director and lobbyist for ASPRO. The organization is closely following the state budget process. Unlike the federal government, if no state budget is enacted by July 1, the state will not shut down. The state will continue to operate and funding will remain at current levels until a new budget is in place.

Automatic Consent Business

The Academic Staff Assembly minutes of Monday, March 10, 2025, were approved.

Academic Staff Executive Committee Election Results (ASA #845)

Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf presented the 2025 ASEC election results. Hannah Blazel, Alissa Ewer, and Nicole Senter were elected to three-year terms of office beginning July 1, 2025.

Reports

ASEC Chair Albert Muniz presented the ASEC report. Albert encouraged academic staff to participate in the Visioning Committee’s community conversation sessions that will be held this month. He also reminded the Assembly about the upcoming Teaching and Learning Symposium on May 15 at Union South.

Committee co-chair Carol Hulland and committee member Mario Pennella presented the annual report of the Retirement Issues Committee (RIC) for 2023-2024 (ASA #846). The committee invited and met with HR representatives from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to discuss retirement issues and opportunities. The RIC also developed a presentation to share information about preparing for retirement.

ASPP Chapter 13 Change (ASA #847)

Aaron Crandall, ASEC member and member of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee, moved approval of ASA Document #847. Motion seconded. Approved.

Provost Report

As co-chair of the Visioning Committee, Provost Isbell is pleased with the direction of the committee’s work. The committee is collecting input from the campus community on the initial concepts. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard. The feedback will help guide the committee’s work moving forward.

The provost anticipates announcements to be made for the chief of information officer position and the associate vice provost and senior director of strategic consulting position by the end of the semester. Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Derek Kindle, recently accepted a position outside of the university. A search for a successor will be launched soon.

Meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff