Academic Staff Executive Committee Minutes 01-29-2026

Approved 02-05-26

ASEC Agenda

1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97722653207

Members present: Aaron Crandall, Richard Barajas, Hanna Blazel, Alissa Ewer (chair), Terry Paape, Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich, Nola Walker

Guests: Barret Elward, Luisa Geramiso, Diana Harvey, Emily Reynolds, Amanda Thornton, Scott Wildman, John Zumbrunnen

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

The minutes of January 22 were approved.

Convene in Closed Session Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss appointment to the Professional Development and Recognition Committee (Crandall). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to Reconvene in Open Session (Barajas). Seconded. Approved.

Business

• Appointment – for vote

Motion to appoint Emma Reusch to the Professional Development and Recognition Committee (Senter). Seconded. Approved.

General Reports

ASEC Chair Alissa Ewer reported that calendar holds for the shared governance meetings with finalist candidates for the provost position have gone out. Shared governance executive committee chairs and governance secretaries are invited to participate in these interviews. Associate Dean Beth Meyerand has been appointed vice provost and dean of the graduate school at the University of Rhode Island, effective March 1. Associate Dean Meyerand is a dedicated advocate for academic staff, shown through her ongoing involvement in academic staff governance, most notably her tenure as vice provost for faculty and staff affairs and her current leadership as co-chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Researchers and Scientists.

Liaison Reports

Terry Paape reported that the College of Letters and Science Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) discussed the Operational Excellence Advancement Program. The CASI is also working on a transition plan for onboarding and offboarding its committee leadership.

Diane Stojanovich reported that the Professional Development and Recognition Committee finalized review of the Academic Staff Excellence Awards. The Universities of Wisconsin (UW) Shared Governance Representatives meeting is scheduled for January 30. UW System President Jay Rothman invited Stojanovich, the UW–Madison academic staff representative, to provide input about the interim chancellor position. Diane welcomed insights from ASEC colleagues in advance of her meeting with President Rothman.

Guest: John Zumbrunnen, Interim Provost

Chancellor Mnookin has been appointed president of Columbia University, effective July 1. UW System President Rothman has the authority to appoint an interim chancellor. President Rothman will consult with the Board of Regents, UW–Madison, and other stakeholders before appointing an interim leader. There is no timeline for the decision. While Chancellor Mnookin will continue to serve in her role through Spring Commencement, a final departure date has not been set. A search for a permanent replacement will begin later this year. Interim Provost Zumbrunnen anticipates we will not have a permanent chancellor until Summer 2027.

There is currently no long-term plan for the special advisor for access and community position. The position currently held by Associate Dean Percival Matthews is set to run through March 2026. In this role, Special Advisor Matthews has put together a framework regarding access and community. Overall, the framework has been well received, and stakeholders are eager to learn how it might be implemented on campus.

Campus leadership is aware of the proposed constitutional amendment relating to prohibiting governmental entity discrimination.

Guest: Diana Harvey, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communication

The Office of Strategic Communication (OSC) is working on preparations for the annual Board of Regents campus visit. OSC provides essential support and coordination to help campus leaders prepare for their time with the regents. OSC continues its work to support state advocacy efforts in partnership with University Relations. For the most up-to-date information on federal activities, Vice Chancellor Harvey reminded ASEC to visit the Office of Federal Relations website: federalrelations.wisc.edu/for-campus-community/. OSC plays a significant role in supporting campus initiatives, such as the Wisconsin Exchange. Vice Chancellor Harvey acknowledged there could be more communication on initiatives. Currently, OSC’s process relies on the units they serve to bring forward topics for attention. This approach has tended to be one‑way. OSC is now reevaluating this process with the long‑term goal of creating a more collaborative, two‑way engagement model.

Recessed at 2:21 p.m.

Reconvened at 2:30 p.m.

Business

• February Assembly Agenda – for vote

ASEC discussed a draft resolution with a couple of members of the Academic Staff Assembly. Motion to approve the February Assembly agenda (Crandall). Seconded. Approved.

• Topics for guests:

VPFSA: leadership change impacts; HIB updates/impacts; staff climate survey; Age-Friendly University Global Network

SVM Dean: CASI engagement; staff interactions and input; SVM strategic priorities; enrollment

Meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff