Minutes for February 17, 2020

Approved February 24, 2020

UC members present: Campagnola, Halverson, Sandgren, Ventura, Warfield (chair), Wolf

Also present besides those mentioned below: Amol Goyal, Yvonne Lee, Matt Mayrl, Jack O’Meara, Jane Richard, Bill Tishler

Chair Warfield called the meeting to order at 1:32. 

Carey McAndrews presented the Campus Transportation Committee Annual Report for 2018-19. The report will be shared at an upcoming Senate meeting. There are approximately 70,000 people coming to campus and traveling around campus every day. The Campus Transportation Committee makes sure the campus is accessible to every traveler. 

Jack O’Meara, PROFS, indicated that a bill providing an additional $1 million for extension services is going to be discussed in the Joint Committee on Finance today, February 17. The Assembly’s last day in session this year is Thursday, February 20. The speech bill that would prescribe specific penalties for students violating the free speech of others was passed by the Assembly last week with one republican voting against it. The governor has said he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

 

Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, discussed the vacancy of the director of Facilities Planning and Management. He is in the process of putting together a search and screen committee. Dean Markel will chair the committee, and a search firm has been hired to assist with the search. Al Fish is serving as the interim director. At this time, there are no changes to the portfolio for the director.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank provided some updates to the University Committee. The WARF Board met at the end of last week. They have launched a major effort to support startup companies coming from UW-Madison. The startups can be of any type, not just those involving intellectual property, and be formed by UW-Madison students or employees. She encouraged feedback on all of the candidates for the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education since final candidates will complete their interviews this week. Lastly, the budget meetings with schools, colleges and other major units began this week and will end at the end of March. The chancellor, provost and vice chancellor for finance and administration have asked these units to report on their strategic goals as well as strategy for dealing with budget cuts, which may happen when the economy weakens.

Halverson moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters, role waivers and committee appointments. The motion was seconded and passed at 2:47. The UC approved 1 dual role waiver, interviewed two candidates for the seat opening on the Athletic Board and nominated faculty for a committee. 

Sandgren moved to convene in open session which was seconded at 3:58 when Chair Warfield adjourned the meeting.