Approved 05-01-25

ASEC Minutes

1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025

https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/94062364316

Members Present: Richard Barajas, Aaron Crandall, Alissa Ewer, Andrew Lokuta, Albert Muniz (chair), Terry Paape, Nicole Senter, Diane Stojanovich, Nola Walker

Guests: Emily Beach, Rob Cramer, Jenny Dahlberg, Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, Charles Isbell, Jen Oasen, Zach Smith, Scott Wildman, Mary Elizabeth Woodring

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

The minutes of April 10 were approved.

General Reports

Albert Muniz, ASEC Chair, reported that campus leadership contacted shared governance groups about engagement to discuss the work of the Undergraduate Student Experience Working Group.

Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff, reported that the Faculty Senate May meeting will have a resolution to establish a mutual defense compact for the universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance for vote. A paid bereavement leave resolution will be presented before the Faculty Senate for vote at a special meeting on April 28. On May 5, members of the University Committee and ASEC will meet with authors of the Universities of Wisconsin Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Survey on Freedom of Expression, Academic Freedom, Viewpoint Diversity, and Civil Discourse. The SOAS office will send a poll to ASEC members about timing for next year’s ASEC meeting schedule. ASEC leadership nominations will open on May 1^st

Liaison Reports

Nicole Senter reported that the Compensation and Economics Benefits Committee (CEBC) discussed Letters and Science (L&S) Administrative Regional Teams. Concerns were raised regarding lower pay scales at the shared services level. CEBC also discussed the impacts of the position cap and budget cuts.

Richard Barajas reported that the School of Veterinary Medicine Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) is planning to hold a forum for all employees.

Nola Walker reported that the Campus Planning Committee (CPC) discussed updates to the stormwater policy. CPC also heard a presentation regarding the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path Paving and Lighting Study.

Diane Stojanovich reported that the Professional Development and Recognition Committee discussed Academic Staff Professional Development Grant proposals.

Andrew Lokuta reported that the Librarians’ Assembly/CASI steering committee is working on summarizing questions and responses following their recent staff town hall.

Alissa Ewer reported that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) CASI received an update from Julie Karpelenia, Human Resources Director in the OVCR. They discussed having a session on graduate tuition remission changes in light of Workday. They also discussed contacting the campus transportation office to address access limitations of the emergency ride home program.

Albert Muniz reported that the L&S CASI decided to sign the CASI coalition letter in solidarity with other CASIs with the caveat that language be added to the letter to acknowledge the L&S CASI was introduced later to CASI coalition activities.

Guest: Charles Isbell, Provost

With the departure of Derek Kindle, efforts are underway to begin the search for the next vice provost for enrollment management. Additionally, they are working to identify an interim to serve until a permanent replacement is named. Percival Matthews was recently appointed special advisor to the chancellor and provost. The special advisor role will focus on helping leadership advance the areas of access and community. The role is advisory and will not supervise staff. The special advisor will also engage with the Undergraduate Student Experience Working Group. The Visioning Committee hosted over 40 campus conversation engagements with faculty, staff, and students. This feedback as well as responses from the campus survey will inform the committee’s work to develop the next strategic framework.

Guest: Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, Vice Chancellor for Research

To help address federal funding impacts, campus is putting together a framework for funding to help prioritize supporting research so that it can continue and also to help areas of research wind down, where there is no funding for the foreseeable future. Tariffs are another area the OVCR is concerned about impacting the research infrastructure. Starting January 2025, Kurt McMillen was hired for a two-year appointment as the interim director of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP). He is focused on making RSP a great support system for the campus research enterprise. Kurt is meeting with stakeholders across the university to help inform RSP’s support structure. He is also focused on supporting RSP staff.

Guest: Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

Rob discussed the importance of supporting RISE thoughtfully, including staffing and infrastructure. Federal activities have complicated campus’ ability to strategically carve out a plan for this. At a recent Joint Finance Committee session, University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman stressed the positive social and economic impact the Universities of Wisconsin have on the state as well as the workforce. The aim of the Budget Approach is to link funding to a more activity-based model. The Finance@UW Conference covered details on the Budget Approach, including how the funds flow and how they are being modeled with the shadow budget. However, federal activities have hindered larger engagement opportunities on this topic. Cutover efforts leading up to Workday go-live continue. Rob expressed gratitude and appreciation for employees who are actively engaged in Workday implementation.

Recessed at 3:05 p.m.

Reconvened at 3:15 p.m.

Business

• Topics for Guests

Chancellor: Harvard activities in light of federal activities; BTAA mutual defense compact; AAC&U letter (A call for Constructive Engagement); DEI audit; Universities of Wisconsin Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Survey on Freedom of Expression, Academic Freedom, Viewpoint Diversity, and Civil Discourse; 2025-2026 academic year activities

OHR: BIPOC and BIWOC employee network gatherings; campus resources for staff; remote heat map follow-up; data on transfers of department staff positions to shared service units

Meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Mallory Musolf, Secretary of the Academic Staff