University Committee Meeting Minutes 2018-03-26

Approved Minutes for March 26, 2018          Approved April 2, 2018

UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Ventura, Wanner (chair), Warfield

UC member absent: Litovsky

Others present: S. Smith, J. O’Meara, J. Smith, M. Felber, D. Farrar Edwards

Chair Anja Wanner called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and reviewed UC assignments for high-level search and screen interviews, materials for Faculty Senate, and other items. The minutes of the meeting of March 19, 2018, were approved. Jack O’Meara updated the UC on state and federal legislative activity (mostly special election laws for the former and continuing budget resolution for the latter). Discussion about UWSP developments and PROFS forum on shared governance to be held May 3. UC reviewed the April 2018 Faculty Senate agenda, especially the part relating to the report from the ad hoc committee on 7th-year reviews, and approved it.

Casey Nagy and the UC discussed a recent UW Extension Senate resolution and varying interpretations of recent developments at UWS with regard to the return of Extension to Madison. Unclear whether there is a resolution forthcoming from BoR on tenure or what such a resolution might say; Nagy has requested clarification. All other merger activities are on target, with three MOUs (SFW, BAMI, Coop) being drafted. 

Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Norman Drinkwater reported on the final stages of most recent round of UW2020 (decisions expected toward end of April), data science initiative (proposal period just closed; decisions expected just after semester ends), recently completed leadership searches (D2P and Waisman), and external reviews of animal programs. OVCRGE CIO Nick Tincher briefed the UC on key issues related to cybersecurity. Details of his presentation covering Office of Cybersecurity structure, 2018-2023 Cybersecurity Strategy, Risk Management Policy, and Controlled Unclassified Information are attached.  

Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Jocelyn Milner and Secretary of the Faculty Smith discussed with the UC various options for defining department-like bodies and distinguishing them from departments and presented current and past examples of cases. Ample discussion ensued and more will be scheduled. 

Terry Warfield moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. The motion was seconded and passed at 2:20 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved two one-year clock extensions. The UC considered and discussed at length a third tenure clock extension that was divided in both the department and the mentor committee. The request also did not have an endorsement from the dean. The UC instructed the Secretary of the Faculty to contact the dean’s office and determine whether it was endorsed at that level. The UC conducted a final set of interviews for positions on the Athletic Board and afterwards conferred on nominations to recommend to the chancellor. Warfield moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 4:16, at which point Wanner adjourned the meeting.