University Committee

Minutes for September 21, 2020

Approved September 28, 2020

 

UC members present: Halverson, Masters, Papp, Sandgren, Tracy, Wolf (chair)

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lori Getter, Kevin Jacobson, Yvonne Kim, Matt Mayrl, Jake McCulloch, Kelly Meyerhofer, Jack O’Meara, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler, one unnamed person

 

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

 

The University Committee agreed to share duties in presenting and answering questions regarding motions in the Senate.

Tracy moved to approve the minutes for September 14, 2020. Seconded. Approved.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, shared that the student affairs staff is focused on outreach and connecting to students in quarantine and isolation. She stays connected with students through advisory groups and ASM. They are also reaching out to house fellows, thanking them and asking what questions they have and what support they need.

 

Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, noted that we’re in the middle of the pack for number of COVID cases and 3rd in the Big Ten for number of tests administered.

 

Research dollars have not decreased as much as expected, but they could be a lagging indicator. The biggest unknown parts of the budget are student tuition, large auxiliary units like the union and housing, and state budget actions.

 

Grant Nelsestuen and Michelle Young presented the 2019-2020 University Curriculum Committee (UCC) annual report. The committee has three main functions: approving new courses, reviewing present course offerings, and giving guidance on educational policy. This past year they reviewed over 700 course proposals. They also reviewed the third-party test credit policy, approved creation of a sustainability course attribute, and discussed internships for credit and pay. This year they will have a preliminary discussion on attendance policies, revisit the description of what the UCC does, and review policies related to zero credit courses.  

 

Jake McCulloch, Office of Sustainability, and Keith Findley, Labor Codes Licensing Advisory Committee, presented a resolution for the Faculty Senate to consider in October for UW-Madison to become a Fair Trade Campus. According to the World Fair Trade Organization, “Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.”

 

Tracy moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) to discuss university business with competitive implications. Seconded. Passed at 2:30 pm.

 

Tracy moved to convene in open session which was seconded at 3:30 pm.

 

Heather Daniels led a discussion defining “dual role waiver” for academic staff when they both teach and do research. She will provide a draft for the next discussion in early October.

 

Chair Wolf adjourned the meeting at 3:55 pm.

 

Submitted by Heather Daniels, Secretary of the Faculty