Academic Staff Executive Committee Minutes 04-09-2026

Approved 04-30-26

ASEC Agenda

1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2026

53 Bascom Hall; https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97722653207

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

Guests: Didier Contis, Nick Gullick, Robin Kurtz, Emily Reynolds, Scott Wildman, Michael Zenz, John Zumbrunnen

The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m.

The minutes of March 26 were approved.

General Reports

ASEC Chair Alissa Ewer reported that the recent Operational Excellence Advancement Program (OEAP) Advisory Committee meeting focused on travel and expense. At the March Assembly meeting, Chair Ewer will introduce a feedback form to gather information to better understand needs and ways to support academic staff. Assembly Representatives will have until May 1 to submit responses.

Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf reported there was a meeting modality request for the Spring Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) meeting. CASI leaders will be polled for their meeting modality preference. Following the finalist visits for the dean of the School of Nursing search, the University decided to not move forward with a permanent hire. Susan Zahner will continue to serve as interim dean of the School of Nursing until a permanent hire is made. Campus will launch a new search after this academic year. Kristin Eschenfelder, a professor and associate dean, will serve as the interim dean of the College of Letters & Science (L&S) effective May 17. This date coincides with the start of L&S Dean Eric Wilcot’s appointment as interim chancellor.

Guest: John Zumbrunnen, Provost

The campus strategic framework was recently published: strategicframework.wisc.edu/. It is intentionally high-level, grounding us in the moment with a focus towards the future. It identifies priorities to guide the campus.

The Provost’s Office will prioritize greater alignment and coordination in its strategic efforts. The office is also exploring modest reorganization strategies to enhance effectiveness and streamline operational activities.

Guest: Didier Contis, Chief Information Officer and Vice Provost for Information Technology

The Division of Information Technology’s top priorities align with the campus strategic framework. Priorities include advancing AI readiness and competency; supporting student growth and success; enabling research discovery and innovation; operational excellence and modernization; and managing risk and compliance.

The IT federation is an operating model for coordinating IT services across the university. For more information, please visit it.wisc.edu/it-federation-program/.

Guest: Robin Kurtz, Ombuds Office

Ombuds Kurtz discussed the 2024-2025 Ombuds Annual Report. The Ombuds Office is a resource for all university employees. Their office will continue to offer mediation services. Most visitor cases focus on evaluative relationships. The criteria for what constitutes Hostile and Intimidating Behavior (HIB) is stringent and opportunities exist related to communication, timeliness, and process clarity.

Business

• May Assembly agenda

ASEC reviewed the agenda and will vote to approve it at their meeting on April 30.

• Topics for ASEC meeting guests

Kelly Conforti Rupp and James Yonker: staff climate survey

OHR: OEAP; employee relations; CCF; supporting staff in uncertain times

                Provost: system leadership impacts; strategic framework

Meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff