University Committee

Minutes for November 23, 2020

Approved November 30, 2020

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

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler

Chair Wolf called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.

Minutes of November 16, 2020 were approved by unanimous consent.

Tracy moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss waivers. Seconded. Passed at 1:31 pm.

Tracy moved to convene in open session. Seconded. Passed at 1:52 pm. Two dual role waivers were approved.

Mark Markel, dean, School of Veterinary Medicine, made a request to follow the standard procedure used by School of Medicine and Public Health for tenure clock extensions at the beginning of appointments for clinical duties. About half the tenure-track faculty in the School of Veterinary Medicine do clinical work. The University Committee agreed with this process, as well as a one-time exception for current Assistant Professors to be granted this tenure clock extension even if past the deadline.

The University Committee recessed until 2:30 pm

Karl Scholz, Provost, reported that last week’s increase in COVID-19 cases has abated. Both cases and positive tests have decreased to what was seen earlier.  

John Zumbrunnen, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, along with Provost Scholz presented some data from the undergraduate student survey. With 5328 responses, 11% reported rarely or never having internet access; 7% do not have computing equipment; 32% have inadequate study space, and 18% reported sometimes or always being unable to obtain sufficient food. The overall academic experience shows similar results between spring 2020 and fall 2020. 74% of students indicated they would like at least some face-to-face courses in the spring. 55% reported that most or all of their fall courses were going well. Focuses for spring will be encouraging more connections with peers in classes and better engagement with instructors. 95% of students plan enrolling for spring, which is typical. A team is working on breaking down results further and evaluating the open-ended comments.

Adjourned at 3:08 pm.

Submitted by Heather Daniels, Secretary of the Faculty