Members Present: Donna Cole; Jenny Dahlberg; Tim Dalby, chair; Stephanie Elkins; Mallory Musolf; Leslie Petty; Deb Shapiro; Lindsey Stoddard Cameron; Bill Tishler

Guests: Diane Blaskowski, Ron Harris, Karl Scholz

The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m.

The minutes of February 6, 2020 were approved with one correction.

Tim Dalby, ASEC chair, recently met with the chairs of ASM and the University Committee to discuss a variety of issues. Tim discussed the TTC forums with ASEC. He also attended the spring leadership breakfast and reiterated the three priorities discussed in the Chancellor’s remarks: investment in faculty and staff salaries, educational excellence, and excellence in research. Tim met with the Wiscard group and reported that there will be designs for cards with the requested helpline numbers available for review next month.

Jake Smith, Interim Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that the Academic Staff Chat on innovation in the classroom was well attended and productive. He reported on the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for First Nations Land Acknowledgment for the Academic Staff Assembly. In order to have the collaborative and consultative approach necessary for a strong land acknowledgment statement, the committee has reported that it will take considerably longer than the May 2020 timeframe. ASEC agreed that the committee could report its progress at the May meeting and extend the timeline as needed. The Districting and Representation Committee met and discussed the timeline for redistricting as a result of TTC.

Mallory Musolf and Jenny Dahlberg reported on the shared governance sessions for the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education finalists.

Bill Tishler reported on the February 17 University Committee meeting, at which the Campus Transportation Committee reported. The Protest Administrative Review Team was also discussed. 

Provost Scholz and ASEC discussed the upcoming searches for the three Vice Provost positions. ASEC reported that it is forming an ad hoc committee on diversity, equity and inclusion for staff, and there is a group of ASEC members that are developing the charge for that. Provost Scholz talked about the proposed Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, for which there is a small group that is just starting work on this issue. When there is more information, there will be greater campus collaboration and consultation. Provost Scholz discussed the current state of International Services both for students and faculty/staff on campus. Derek Kindle has accepted the position as our new Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and will start on March 2. Provost Scholz also discussed the organization of the Provost Office. The addition of the Vice Provost for Academic Operations will help with the number of grievances and appeals, as well as other operational matters.

Diane Blaskowski reported that 76.6% of the quality assurance process is complete, so conversations about new titles should be happening. A common theme at the forums is that managers are not receiving the information they need at the department level. OHR will be giving support people to the local HR reps wherever this is needed, and that support person will be tagged to that area throughout the rest of the TTC process, including appeals if necessary. The TTC group will be providing fact sheets after the forums are complete. ASEC also suggested communicating with CASIs for school/college/division concerns. Diane discussed supervisory criteria. Currently, 3.0 FTE is the requirement, but for TTC, this will be reduced to 2.0 FTE. This calculation would include indirect reports as well as direct reports (e.g. for a director who had an assistant director reporting to them, those who report to the assistant director—including student hourlies—would count toward the director’s FTE total as well). Individuals can still be directors in their business titles without managing people as long as the division approves it. OHR is continuing to look at this issue and its impacts on smaller units. Appeals dates for employees on 9-month contracts have been moved to August 17 – September 17, to align with contract start dates and ensure 9-month employees have sufficient time to appeal. OHR will be providing slides to HR reps and fact sheets on the website regarding positions that evolve over time to include supervisory duties and how that will work in the new system. ASEC also suggested FAQs around salary guidelines as well.

• Nominations

Motion to nominate Ruben Mota, Chris Castro, and John Martin to the Search and Screen Committee for the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Lee DeBaillie and Sarah Kuba to the Search and Screen Committee for the Vice Provost for Academic Operations (Dahlberg). Seconded. Approved.

Motion to nominate Mari Magler and Jane Zhang to the Search and Screen Committee for the Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Programs (Stoddard Cameron). Seconded. Approved.

• March Assembly Agenda

ASEC reviewed the draft agenda and will vote to approve it at the next meeting.

• Committee Representative Selection Process

ASEC will discuss at the next meeting to allow ample time for discussion.

• Topics for Guests

Provost – increase in companies soliciting lecturers to plagiarize, status of policy library working group, discussion on Vice Provost positions, update on priorities coming into the Provost role – ATP (timeline), Revenue Innovation Study Group, internships in financial areas for underrepresented populations, modernizing work environment for employees (part time options, job share, remote working) VPFS – transition out of VPFS role, diversity committee charge, update on bystander intervention

Meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m.