University Committee Meeting Minutes 2025-12-08

Minutes for December 8, 2025

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

Others present: Michelle Felber, Becky Jacobs, Genevieve Lambert, Julie Scharm

Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 1:15 pm.

Mathieu 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 and committee appointments at 1:15 pm. One dual-role and one tenure clock extension request were approved.

Chui motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 1:44 pm.

The minutes from December 1, 2025, meeting were approved.

The Universities of Wisconsin draft policy on general education requirements is available for comment. The Athletic Board call for nominations will be sent on Tuesday.

The University Committee discussed tenure clock extensions. They want to make sure that information about extensions is given to new faculty. There was a discussion that extensions are mentioned during tenure workshops as well as New Faculty Welcome. They discussed getting information about TCEs to chairs and mentoring committees and perhaps holding a town hall. Secretary Daniels will write up a draft of the criteria or issues the UC historically considers when reviewing these requests. There was also discussion about whether the Vilas Life Cycle award was helpful given it was not enough funding to buy out teaching and doesn’t provide enough time for an entire grant cycle.  

Dorota Grejner Brzezinska, Vice Chancellor for Research, shared that WARF was giving over $200 million to UW-Madison this year. There is a new program for distinguished fellows to support RISE research areas that has brought 11 fellows to campus. A new pilot grant program to help connect faculty from different areas of campus to work on RISE research areas.

Vice Chancellor Brzezinska indicated the fall research competition was under review. They are looking to split funding to all some to be use for research redirections while reserving some funding for safety net reasons. There is a new federal RFP/RFI regarding the new research enterprise for the nation. UW-Madison will submit a response including letters from industry partners. The HERD survey results were delayed due to the government shutdown and should be available in January.

The first draft from the strategic planning exercise has been shared. The final report will come out in January and the consulting firm will be on campus to hold additional conversations before implementation starts.

Dean Jon Levine from the School of Veterinary Medicine introduced himself and discussed shared governance.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 4:03 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.