Academic Staff Executive Committee Minutes 03-26-2026
Approved 04-09-26
ASEC Agenda
1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2026
53 Bascom Hall; https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97722653207
Members present: Hanna Blazel, Alissa Ewer (chair), Eunsook Jung, Terry Paape, Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich
Members absent: Aaron Crandall, Richard Barajas, Nola Walker
Guests: Emily Beach, Rob Cramer, Barret Elward, Lori Reesor, Scott Wildman, Michael Zenz
The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m.
The minutes of March 19 were approved.
General Reports
Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf reported that Jordan Siegler was named executive director of Wisconsin Public Media.
Liaison Reports
Nicole Senter reported that the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Committee on Academic Staff Issues reviewed a survey intended to solicit topic input from the community for the upcoming SMPH All Staff Forum scheduled for April 30.
Diane Stojanovich reported that the University Academic Planning Council approved a new policy, Core General Education Requirements.
Motion to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss nominations to the Chancellor Search and Screen Committee (Blazel). Seconded. Approved.
Motion to reconvene in open session (Senter). Seconded. Approved.
Business
- Nominations – for vote
Motion to nominate Tim Dalby, Torsheika Maddox, Tonia Pittman, Zach Smith, and Diane Stoijanovich (Senter). Seconded. Approved.
Guest: Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
University Health Services offers a number of training opportunities that are open to campus employees, including Recognize, Respond, Refer Online Suicide Prevent Training (uhs.wisc.edu/prevention/suicide-prevention/). For students, the Center for Healthy Minds offers a course on human flourishing. Vice Chancellor Reesor’s office met with Professor Richie Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds, to explore opportunities to promote student awareness of mindfulness and human flourishing.
This spring, UW–Madison implemented a Vaccination Disclosures Requirement policy (policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-2122) for all students. Incoming students for the summer and fall 2026 semesters must submit their vaccination status by August 7, 2026. Students who do not comply with the requirement are subject to a registration hold.
The Open Seat Food Pantry is funded by the Associated Students of Madison. As needs for this service have grown the campus is thinking about long-term support. Dean of Students Christina Olstad arranged interim staffing support to address Open Seat’s administrative needs.
Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
The Operational Excellence Advancement Program (OEAP) has three focus areas: operating model prototype, enterprise risk management, and unlocking efficiency and effectiveness. The Office of Legal Affairs recently launched a website about enterprise risk management: legal.wisc.edu/enterprise-risk-management/. Since December 2025, the OEAP team has held a number of engagements with campus stakeholders, including shared governance groups, functional groups (e.g., Dean’s Council, HR, finance, etc.), as well as hosted deep dive sessions open to the campus community. They plan to offer more deep dive sessions in the future.
When considering support for recent RISE hires, it is important for the campus to think about the balance between long-term investment, staffing needs, and financial uncertainty. This includes being intentional about supporting emerging research areas and the essential support structures that help maintain research strength and retention.
Business
- April Assembly agenda – for vote
ASEC discussed draft resolutions with Assembly Representative for District 300 Barret Elward and opportunities for gaining input from the Assembly on academic staff needs. Motion to approve the April Assembly agenda (Senter). Seconded. Approved.
- March Assembly follow-up
Assembly Representative for District 300 Barret Elward raised the possibility of increased campus community engagement with the University of Wisconsin Police Department. ASEC Chair Ewer plans to discuss this topic with the other shared governance leaders at an upcoming meeting.
- Topics for ASEC meeting guests
Provost: federal grant attestations; strategic priorities; engagement with governance
CIO/VPIT: strategic priorities; staff input; IT federation
Ombuds: employee impacts and HIB policy change; supporting employees; Ombuds communication
Meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff