University Committee

Minutes for August 10, 2020

Approved August 24, 2020

UC members present: Halverson, Masters, Papp, Tracy, Wolf (chair)
UC member not present: Sandgren

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Greg Bump, Jenny Dahlberg, Michelle Felber, Amol Gopal, Kevin Jacobson, Yvonne Kim, John Lucas, Matt Mayrl,
Kelly Meyerhofer, Jack O’Meara, Noel Radomski, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler

Chair Wolf called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

Heather Daniels, reported that the letter to instructional faculty and staff crafted in partnership with the Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) will be sent on Tuesday.

Tracy moved to approve the University Committee minutes for July 27, 2020. Seconded. Approved.

Tracy moved to approve the University Committee minutes for August 3, 2020. Seconded. Approved.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, shared preparations that were underway for students coming to campus; educational efforts include a training video, a public health campaign, and having students sign a pledge agreeing to follow public health guidelines. All students will receive a free safety kit with two UW-branded face coverings, hand sanitizer, and health and safety information about COVID-19, in a reusable Bucky bag. Student peer public health ambassadors will give out masks, etc. The Office for Student Affairs is holding live chats with parents and students, and are working to provide outside meeting spaces for registered student organizations. They are working with fraternities and sororities regarding events and support. Students violating guidelines will face escalating consequences up to removal from in-person classes or university housing.

Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, reported on the town halls for employee groups, most of which will be recorded to view later. An employee survey asking for concerns is due on Friday, August 21. Travel continues to be restricted until further notice, but will be reviewed again in November. More people will be cleaning during first shift. Classroom cleaning supplies will be easily available, and PPE will be free for campus units. After consulting the research, there will be no specific recommendations regarding “flow,” other than to keep people moving. There are more parking options available this year and Madison Metro will provide more buses on key routes due to limited occupancy. The State of Wisconsin provided $32 million to UW System to cover COVID testing, with $8.3 million going to UW-Madison.

Provost Karl Scholz also discussed the town halls. Provost Scholz will return to the Conflict of Commitment policy that he shared this spring with the UC in a meeting soon.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank also discussed upcoming town halls. The first of 3 COVID testing sites is open, and analyses will be done on campus by the end of August. Chancellor Blank emphasized that testing is critical to opening campus. The new recreation facility, The Nick, will open in mid-September. The student voting campaign is gearing up, thanks to funding from the Andrew Goodman Foundation. There will be a Big Ten voting challenge again.

Wolf moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel waivers and appeal. Seconded. Passed at 2:50 pm.

Tracy moved to convene in open session which was seconded at 3:45 pm.

Chair Wolf adjourned the meeting at 3:52 pm.