Minutes for June 6, 2016

UC members present: Amasino, Bowers (out 1:45-2:45), Broman, Litovsky, Wendt (chair)

UC member absent: Wanner

Others present: S. Smith, J. O’Meara, M. Felber, J. Smith, J. Richard

Brand-new chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Discussion about rescheduling “October” Faculty Senate meeting to last week of September to avoid Rosh Hashanah. Vice Provost Michael Bernard-Donals provided a quick update of the recently completed cluster hiring initiative review. Recommendations that will be made to leadership: (1) go forward with program as soon as possible, even next year, with future calls every 2-3 years; same mission of interdisciplinary high-impact initiatives not otherwise funded or not good fit with existing funding; (2) slightly modified “hybrid” funding model: one third from school/college, one third from provost in perpetuity, final third from provost for a few years and then rolling off to school/college; (3) opening to not only new faculty, but also buy-outs for current UW-Madison faculty to devote more time to cluster initiative and some administrative support and/or post-docs. Waiting on some APIR modeling and fine-grained analysis, but expect to move forward soon. Discussion.

For the new UC members starting their terms at this meeting, Wendt provided an overview of procedures and processes. The minutes of the meeting of May 23, 2016, were approved. Jack O’Meara and Michelle Felber provided a quick overview of PROFS for the new UC members and an update on upcoming PROFS meeting with state Representative Jim Steineke. 

Litovsky moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. Motion seconded and passed at 1:20 p.m. The committee deliberated on two grievances. One was found to have enough merit to require action, which will be followed up on by the Secretary of the Faculty. The UC requested more time to review the materials for the second grievance. The committee considered and unanimously approved one leave of absence, two initial tenure clock extensions, and one dual role waiver. The first two of these approvals are contingent on receipt of additional information. The UC postponed discussion of committee assignments. Broman moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 2:11 p.m.

Dean of the Graduate School William Karpus updated the UC on several items, all with ample discussion. The assistantship process has gone through additional feedback and re-evaluation. New proposal will still allow departments/programs to set research assistantship rates (in consultation with deans and recognizing federal constraints and international student limitations). Stacked appointments still allowed up to 75%. Only way to address TA/PA stipends will be with new/shifted 101 funds. WARF plans for fellowship pilots, including monitoring the new dissertation fellowships, continue. The GS continues to closely monitor grad student first 4-year funding. Karpus has greatly increased graduate student outreach to get more input, including chats, discussion group, and more, from across disciplines and cohorts. There is no graduate student representative on either GFEC or GSAPC, and some resistance to the idea, although it continues to be explored. GS working with CDO, UHS, and others on graduate student training, including sexual harassment training. Concept greatly supported, but content needs work. Particularly as regards sexual harassment training, a follow-on survey focusing on graduate students could be quite helpful. GS interested in student success across all levels: launching career/professional development portal in fall. UC would love to preview it. GS also piloting grad student tracking system with HR info, papers, abstracts, presentations, etc. Hope is to run queries on successful outcomes and help increase numbers/programs/impact (extramural grant support). Litovsky asked about grant writing courses; Karpus indicated that there are some, but not enough.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank brought the UC up to date on the process for moving Research and Sponsored Programs back into the VCRGE office. Because the earlier move to the VCFA resulted from Senate action, there is no choice but to take it back to the Senate. Several UC members opined that this would not be a hard sell to the senators. The UC will appoint a faculty committee to come up with recommendations on the move. Board of Regents will be meeting end of the week, mostly about budget issues. UW Foundation meeting (separately) the same day. VCFA finalist visits ongoing. TAA passed resolution on Israel and BDS the week after commencement when campus was quiet. Campus position on this already well defined. Brief discussion of moving October Senate meeting.

Wendt provided a progress report on the ad hoc committee on hostile and intimidating behavior. Report is coming together with recommendations that include: (1) system of contacts in units similar to DDRs; (2) support and advocacy for those bringing complaints; (3) due process for the accused; (4) training and support for those in leadership positions; (5) increasing awareness across university population; (6) devoted web page. The idea is that the final report, which will come out this summer, will have road map and committee will continue to start implementation. Ample discussion, including recognition of huge, intimidating task the committee tackled admirably.

Following a brief discussion of UC committee assignments, Wendt adjourned the meeting at 3:18 p.m.