Over the past academic year, your elected representatives on the Committee for Academic Staff Issues (CASI) and the University Staff Issues Committee (USIC) have thoughtfully examined how these committees can best reflect and serve the needs of staff across the College of Letters & Science. Following a comprehensive review of the committees' bylaws, the members voted to merge CASI and USIC into a single staff governance committee comprised of representatives from both academic and university staff. I fully support this change and want to thank the committee members for the significant time, care, and collaboration they devoted to this effort.
The new Letters & Science Staff Issues Committee (LSSIC) pronounced "L-sic," will continue the important work previously carried out by CASI and USIC. As a unified committee, LSSIC will serve as a vital conduit between the L&S Dean's Office and our academic and university staff, ensuring staff perspectives continue to inform college leadership and decision-making.
L&S Staff Issues Committee
Beginning in 1999, Committees on Staff Issues were established in each school or college.
The L&S Staff Issues Committee advises the Dean on the formulation and review of policies and procedures concerning the Academic and University Staff members of the College. It also advises the Dean on staff promotional opportunities, participation in department governance, and performance recognition.
The committee includes 12 academic staff members and 8 university staff members and has both elected and appointed members.
Agendas are posted for previous and upcoming meetings. Persons interested in the topics that have been discussed and will be discussed are encouraged to contact an LSSIC member or attend a meeting to make their opinions known.
LSSIC Bylaws
LSSIC Feedback
We welcome your feedback and ideas. If you have suggestions, or topics you’d like the LSSIC to consider, please submit them using the link below. Your input helps inform our work and ensures we are representing the needs and perspectives of academic staff.
Submit Feedback Here
Academic Staff Committee Members, 2026-2027
Melissa Lindsey (co-chair)
Teaching Professor/Director of Instructional Staff Operations
Term Expires Spring 2028
Mathematics
Academic Advising Assistant Director
Term Expires Spring 2027
Economics
Assistant Dean
Term Expires Spring 2026
L&S Academic Affairs
B25 Bascom Hall
Academic Adviser
Term Expires Spring 2028
Biology
Undergraduate Program Manager
Term Expires Spring 2028
Psychology
Academic Program Director
Term Expires Spring 2027
Gender and Women's Studies
University Staff Committee Members, 2026-2027
Emma Weimerskirch (co-chair)
Early Career
Term Expires Spring 2028
Administrative Assistant
Chemistry
1101 University Ave
eweimerskirc@wisc.edu
Jane C McCarthy
Non-Exempt Administrative Support, Fiscal & Staff Services Representative
Term Expires Spring 2027
Administrative Assistant II
Art History
Elvehjem Building
Ex-Officios for both committees
Kristin R. Eschenfelder
Interim L&S Dean
College of Letters & Science
105C South Hall
dean@ls.wisc.edu
Lea Aune-Johnson
HR Director
College of Letters & Science
301d South Hall
Tina Nielsen
Associate Dean for Innovation and Strategy
College of Letters & Science
105A South Hall
Issues of Interest to LSSIC
- HR Design
- Job promotions in L&S as compared to those in other colleges and units
- Job security
- Joint meetings between L&S CASI and the L&S USIC (University Staff Issues Committee)
- Mandated Furloughs
- Budget Cuts
- Communication with our constituents
- Title changes/promotions/rate changes
- Graduate School reorganization
- By-laws re-write
- How to supervise Academic Staff/Performance reviews
- Workload
- Climate
- Federal Audits of Soft Money Funding for Academic Staff
- Workload Concerns
- Surveying Academic Staff to determine issues of note
For minutes and agendas of past meetings, please see the link below.
