Minutes for March 17, 2025

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Jones, Kendall, Stein, Zweibel

Others present: Greg Bump, Lesley Fisher, Oliver Gerharz, John Horn, Becky Jacobs, Adam Kindschy, Paige Kirkham, Julie Scharm

Chair Pro Tem Jones called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

The minutes from the March 10, 2025, meeting was approved by automatic consent.

Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, indicated that the shadow data roll out is going more slowly than expected. They plan to launch a data and tools workgroup soon. The University Committee pressed on the need for faculty to have more information.

Continuing resolutions of the federal budget provide funding through the end of the federal fiscal year. They are working on scenarios of what UW-Madison research might look like over the next several years and also looking to increase non-federal research funding. Regarding the state budget, the building commission will meet a week from March 17.

Michelle Felber and Jack O’Meara from PROFS reported they have been hearing the state budget might be later than usual due to uncertainty at the federal level. They are working on at least one and perhaps two forums for the spring. They talked with the tourism industry about the bill that would allow UW-Madison to start classes on September 1. They would not take a position on the bill.

Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, discussed graduate school admissions. Some departments are adding language about funding contingencies or removing multi-year funding offers. Asking candidates to defer entry is also a possibility.

He also shared information about the discussion at GFEC about the selection of members for GFEC. Right now all members are elected, which has often meant that candidates from smaller schools/colleges do not win elections. He took a straw poll and 10 of the 15 members present were in favor of a committee with all appointed members and 12 of 15 were in favor of a hybrid committee where some seats are appointed and some elected. He asked the University Committee to let him know their thoughts. 

Beth Larson, chair of the Dean of Student Advisory Committee, reported that last year the committee worked on a number of issues including climate and welcome events, protest support team, swipe hunger campaign and wellness options on campus. They also reviewed the free expression modules and suggested that they be used for graduate students too.

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin discussed Eboo Patel’s visit to campus. Overall, the event went well, but it would have been nice to have more students in the audience. Campus has not yet received the complaint from the federal government about violating Title VI due to a relationship with the PhD project. Public records requests were answered in regard to LaVar Charleston. In addition, an audit from the Legislative Audit Bureau will be released soon and covers all state agencies.

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 waivers at 3:07 pm. One tenure clock extension and academic staff conversion were approved.

Stein motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 3:16 pm.

The University Committee had a preliminary discussion about the Senate agenda. They discussed making a motion to move some business before the reports and perhaps right after the remarks by the chancellor and UC chair. Written ballots for Keith and the UC’s resolution have been requested and verified.

The University Committee decided to hold another town hall meeting on April 23 from 3:30-4:30 with the location to be determined.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 3:42 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.