University Committee Meeting Minutes 2025-12-15

Minutes for December 15, 2025

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

Others present: Emily Beach, Michelle Felber, Sabine Martin, Mallory Musolf, Julie Scharm

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

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Rob Cramer, reported the campus is looking at security and access control to help prevent active violence situations in wake of the Brown University shooting. He said they were looking to create a set of metrics to monitor changes due to implementation of the budget approach.

Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, indicated they continue to be concerned about the prospect of limiting visa stays for educational programs. The UC discussed concerns about small incoming graduate students and how that affects course sizes. Dean Karpus indicated they should have preliminary application and possibly admissions numbers in late February/early March. Dean Karpus also shared that the American Council of Learned Societies has a 3-year project regarding what a PhD degree should look like in the humanities.

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 at 2:13 pm. Two tenure clock extension requests were approved.

Mathieu motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 2:33 pm.

The minutes from December 8, 2025, meeting were approved.

Amy Dietz and Tom Durkin, members of the University Libraries Committee, presented the annual report. The committee spent time building in depth knowledge about several of the libraries on campus. They also helped with strategic planning. Due to budget constraints, libraries have had to make tough decisions regarding staffing, library hours, and physical spaces.

Leema Berland, co-chair of the Committee for Women in the University, presented the annual report. The committee has been advocating for the addition of lactation rooms to the campus map and developing a systematic approach to improve quality and quantity.

Another focus of the committee has been improving childcare access on campus. They anticipate submitting recommendations in this area soon.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 3:13 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.