Minutes for August 2, 2021
 

UC members present: Halverson, Masters, Sandgren (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault

Others present besides those listed below: Reez Bailey, Mike Bernard-Donals, Greg Bump, Gideon Elliott, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, John Horn, Charles Hoslet, Eden Inoway-Ronnie, John Lucas, Meredith Mcglone, Jack O’Meara, Kelly Meyerhofer, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Amanda Todd

Chair Sandgren called the meeting to order at 1:01.

Rob Cramer, Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, reported that the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning and Management hire is moving ahead for an anticipated fall 2021 start. He and Mark Walters (Chief Human Resources Officer) discuss moving the remote work policy away from a centralized model and back to the units on campus.

The minutes of the meeting of July 12, 2021 were approved by consent.

Jack O’Meara’s PROFS report included the proposal from the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules that the legislature approve UW system’s physical access re-opening policies.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, recommended an article from Forbes Magazine (July 14, 2021), “8 Reasons This Coming Year Could be the Hardest Yet for Higher Ed.” She focused on 1) a pent-up demand for a “return to normal” that might manifest through risky behaviors, 2) everyone is running on fumes and is exhausted and frustrated, 3) unreasonably high expectations, and, 4) student anxiety and depression continues to be a concern. To combat these, her office plans to work with student groups to message around high risk behaviors; more and more diverse counselors in University Health Services; publicize resources that support a “culture of care”; and creating positions to support specific communities (on board now: one for Native American students and for veterans). Her office will provide special programming for the large number of students who have not been on campus because of the pandemic.

Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, had facts and figures related to funding programs, and reviewed the many new opportunities available to graduate students, including the CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. His office offers workshops to get funding information to students and is improving the process to submit training grant applications. International students who can’t be on campus because of visa or immigration issues may be able to work remotely. The Graduate School is working with Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) to cover snags caused by the switch to single payroll. The Delta Program (professional development in teaching) will be in the new Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring, and will be supported by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (VCRGE).

Rebecca Blank, Chancellor, announced that this was the first day for two new executive members: Nancy Lynch, Chief Legal Counsel, and LaVar Charleston, Chief Diversity Officer. A new financial system provider, Workday is being implemented over the next few years. She briefly outlined the attention that will be given to students who haven’t been on campus before, and other plans for re-opening. ASM will encourage vaccinations among students. UW has contracted with Opendorse to help student-athletes make decisions around capitalizing on their own name, image, and likeness.

Masters moved to convene in closed session; it was seconded and approved at 2:58. One committee appointment was made and four role waivers were approved.

Masters moved to reconvene in open session; it was seconded and approved at 3:32.

Chair Sandgren adjourned the meeting at 4:10.