Academic Staff Executive Committee Minutes 07-09-2026

Approved 07-23-26

ASEC Agenda

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Zoom

Members present: Richard Barajas, Hanna Blazel, Molly Censky, Aaron Crandall, Alissa Ewer (chair), Eunsook Jung, Nancy Kujak-Ford, Diane Stojanovich, Nola Walker

Guests: Scott Wildman and John Zumbrunnen

The meeting was called to order at 1:33 p.m.

Motion to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c), and (f) to discuss nominations to the Area Review Committee-Biological/Medical Sciences; Area Review Committee-Humanities/Social Sciences; and Area Review Committee-Physical Sciences/Engineering (Crandall). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to reconvene in open session (Blazel). Seconded. Approved.

Business

• Nominations – for vote

Motion to nominate Eric Buxton and Melgardt De Villiers to the Area Review Committee: Biological/Medical Sciences; Heidi Evans, Chell Parkins, and Denise Wiyaka to the Area Review Committee: Humanities/Social Sciences; and Ilia Guzei and Seth McGee to the Area Review Committee: Physical Sciences/Engineering (Jung). Seconded. Approved.

Automatic Consent Business

The minutes of June 25 were approved.

General Reports

ASEC Chair Alissa Ewer reported that campus leadership supports UW–Madison joining the Age-Friendly University Global Network. UW–Madison will have to submit an application to join the Network. ASEC discussed possible key stakeholders to assist with the application process.

Secretary of the Academic Staff Mallory Musolf reported that ASEC Vice Chair Diane Stojanovich will join Eunsook Jung and Nancy Kujak-Ford on the Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) policy subcommittee. ASEC’s planning meeting was rescheduled to August 5.

Guest: John Zumbrunnen, Provost

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness and Competency initiative originated from a process with the deans, who identified AI as a leading campuswide priority. To support this effort, the campus is developing an inventory of AI-related activities and resources. This inventory will help identify existing strengths, expertise, and support.

The College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (CAI) officially launched on July 1, 2026. Academic operations, human resources, and finance functions are being developed within CAI to support the transition of units that moved from the College of Letters and Sciences to the new college. Founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau is committed to making CAI a hub for the campus, which includes fostering collaboration and deepening relationships with other schools and colleges.

Current data indicate that undergraduate enrollment is on track to meet enrollment goals. Graduate student enrollment is stable among domestic students but declining among international students. The campus is awaiting further information on the proposed duration of status rule change.

The 2025-27 capital budget provided funds to plan for the demolition and relocation of the Humanities Building. A proposal is being developed for consideration by the Board of Regents at its August meeting.

ASEC is planning to organize and host community conversations this academic year and invited Provost Zumbrunnen to participate in a fall event. Provost Zumbrunnen confirmed his participation and expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to connect and engage with academic staff.

ASEC Orientation

Secretary Musolf presented on ASEC duties, processes and procedures, and meeting expectations.

Business

• Liaison Assignments

ASEC reviewed existing and available liaison assignments for standing committees, CASIs and shared governance committees. ASEC will continue discussion of assignments at their next meeting.

• Topics for guests

VCFA: campus cooling issues; LinkUW phase two; budget

Meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, secretary of the academic staff