Minutes for June 23, 2025

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Chui, de Leon, Jones, Kendall, Mathieu

Others present: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Becky Jacobs, Adam Kindschy, Mallory Musolf, Jack O’Meara, Julie Scharm

Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 1:02 pm.

The minutes from June 16, 2025, were approved as distributed.

The University Committee discussed concerns they had with the bridge funding program that was announced. They also agreed to send a follow up email regarding the survey for faculty and instructional staff on academic freedom and free speech.

Charles Isbell, Provost, shared that deans are bringing forward proposals for bridge funding that they want to fund, and schools/colleges are using their own mechanisms. The funds are meant for a narrowly focused number of people who may need funds to bridge, but not pivot their research. There may be other mechanisms that come forward. When asked about the budget approach, he indicated he felt it was still the right time to move forward.

Bernard-Donals motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters at 2:03 pm.

Chui motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 2:46 pm.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 3:03 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.