Academic Staff Assembly Minutes 04-13-2026
Approved 05-11-26
ACADEMIC STAFF ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES
272 Bascom Hall
Monday, April 13, 2026
3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Provost John Zumbrunnen called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
Guest: Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor
UW–Madison Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh will become the Big Ten Conference’s inaugural deputy commissioner for strategy. Today is his last day at UW. UW–Madison Deputy Athletic Director Marcus Sedberry has agreed to serve as interim director of athletics effective immediately. Interim Chancellor-designate Eric Wilcots will lead the search for a new director of athletics.
On Tuesday, April 7, the Board of Regents dismissed University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman. On Thursday, April 9, Regent President Amy Bogost and Regent Timothy Nixon addressed questions from the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges. UW System Vice President for University Relations Chris Patton will serve as acting executive-in-charge until a decision about the interim role is made. A search for President Rothman’s permanent successor will begin at a later date.
Chancellor Mnookin thanked the Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) and members of the Assembly for their governance service. She also thanked ASEC Chair Alissa Ewer and ASEC Vice Chair Diane Stojanovich for their leadership. Chancellor Mnookin expressed appreciation for UW–Madison’s engagement in and commitment to shared governance, including during challenging times.
Chancellor Mnookin honored ten academic staff members with Academic Staff Excellence Awards at the April 8 ceremony, recognizing individuals whose work reflects the tremendous breadth of contributions across campus.
UW–Madison was recognized in recent rankings, including being named the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers and appearing on Forbes’ list of “new Ivies.”
A new strategic framework for the university was recently unveiled. It is intentionally high-level and designed to serve as a compass for the campus. It also advances shared priorities for our future. Chancellor Mnookin thanked the academic staff who served on the Visioning Committee as well as the campus community who shared ideas and perspectives. More information on the strategic framework is available at strategicframework.wisc.edu.
John Zumbrunnen was named provost. Kristin Eschenfelder will serve as interim dean of the College of Letters and Science while Eric Wilcots serves in the role of interim chancellor. Susan Zahner will continue to serve as interim dean for the School of Nursing. Jordan Siegler was named executive director of Wisconsin Public Media. Christian Capitini was announced as the next director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center. The vice provost for enrollment management search is underway. A leadership update for the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence is expected soon.
Chancellor Mnookin reflected on her four academic years at UW and expressed gratitude to the Assembly for their support and engagement. All members of the campus community are invited to the Chancellor’s farewell event at the Memorial Union Terrace on May 14 from 2-4 p.m.
Guest: Robin Kurtz, Ombuds Office (Annual Report, ASA #865)
Ombuds Kurtz presented the 2024-2025 Ombuds Annual Report. The Ombuds Office is a confidential resource for UW–Madison employees seeking guidance regarding workplace concerns. They also provide mediation services. Ombuds are retired UW–Madison employees. Seven individuals currently serve as ombuds. The goal of the Ombuds is to empower employees to make the best decisions they can regarding their concerns. In fiscal year 2025, the Ombuds Office had 502 visitors. The majority of visitors were academic staff.
Automatic Consent Business
The Academic Staff Assembly minutes of Monday, March 9, 2026, were approved.
Academic Staff Executive Committee Election Results (ASA #866)
Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf presented the 2026 ASEC election results. Molly Censky, Eunsook Jung, and Nola Walker were elected to three-year terms of office beginning July 1, 2026.
Reports/Updates
ASEC chair Alissa Ewer presented the ASEC report. To better understand how current global challenges are affecting academic staff, ASEC invites Assembly members to engage with their districts and collect perspectives and insights. Chair Ewer requested that this feedback be submitted via an online form by May 1. Responses will be shared with ASEC. Chair Ewer also encouraged the Assembly to complete the Administrative Quality Satisfaction Survey. The deadline for completing the survey is April 24. After a robust discussion with University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department Chief of Police Brent Plisch at the last Assembly meeting, representatives submitted follow-up questions. Chief Plisch’s responses are available on the March Assembly follow-up materials webpage: kb.wisc.edu/acstaff/159387.
Academic Staff Professionals Representation Organization (ASPRO) Board President Jenny Dahlberg presented the ASPRO report. ASPRO Executive Director and Lobbyist Kathi Kilgore will provide an update on the latest legislative session at the Academic Staff Institute on April 16. Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 757/Senate Bill 751 relating to the appointment of certain employees of the UW System and faculty governance.
Retirement Issues Committee (RIC) Co-Chair Carol Hulland and committee member Mario Pennella presented the annual report of the RIC for 2024-2025 (ASA #867). The RIC continues to offer retirement planning presentations and has developed a resource list to support retirement preparation.
Endorsement of Ad Hoc Committee on Research Professor Titles Recommendations (ASA #868)
Aaron Crandall, ASEC member, moved approval of ASA Document #868. Motion Seconded. Approved.
Resolution to Ensure Educational Continuity for Members of the UW–Madison Community Affected by the Violence of Federal Immigration Agents (ASA #869)
District 457 Alternate Dan Fitch presented ASA Document #869 for a first reading. Members of the Assembly were invited to submit feedback or comments to the Office of the Secretary of the Academic Staff by April 23.
Provost Report
The UW–Madison strategic framework is a commitment to the core of the campus mission, encompassing education, research, discovery, creation, and engagements with and service to the world beyond campus. It also commits us to pursuing a culture of excellence. Within the strategic framework is something called the Badger Way. Broadly speaking, it describes how we interact with one another as we go about our work. Provost Zumbrunnen encouraged the Assembly to review the strategic framework website.
Later this week, a campus announcement will go out in InsideUW about the formal release of the campus teaching workload policy.
Provost Zumbrunnen also echoed Chancellor Mnookin’s reflections on the 2026 Academic Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony. The event highlighted the incredible range of contributions that academic staff make at the university.
Meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff