University Committee

Minutes for July 13, 2020

Approved July 27, 2020

UC members present: Halverson, Masters, Papp, Sandgren, Tracy, Wolf (chair)

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Michael Bernard-Donals, Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Amol Goyal, Kevin Jacobson, Yvonne Kim, Marc Lovicott, Matt Mayrl, Kelly Meyerhofer, Jack O’Meara, Noel Radomski, Jane Richard, Stephanie Rytilahti, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler, Amanda Todd

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

Returning University Committee member Bill Tracy was welcomed. He’ll serve the last year of Paul Campagnola’s term.

Sandgren moved to approve the University Committee minutes for June 22, 2020. Seconded. Approved. 

Members of PROFS met with the interim UW System President Tommy Thompson. He asked the state for $110 million in reopening costs. Scope statements have been posted for revising the UW System Administrative Code for Title IX cases to meet new federal guidelines.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller reported that the Budget Committee met and while it was helpful to hear what was happening on the ground, there’s not a lot new. There was a $21 million lapse in the fiscal year that just ended. State revenue projections were delayed due to the July 15 tax extension. 

The Office of Human Resources is working on leave flexibility under COVID-19. They are looking to expand staff for Divisional Disability Representatives (DDR), and make sure that every employee knows the disability accommodation process.

Provost Karl Scholz shared that in-person classes have all been matched with appropriate facilities; hopefully adjustments will be minimal. Students may need to reschedule their classes. For in-person courses, there will be 7.5 feet between students, personal protection equipment for instructors, and cleaning protocols. Technology is being developed to collect symptom information anonymously. The search for a new Chief Diversity Officer will be in spring 2021.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank provided an update on the proposal to change F-visas to require international students to take an in-person course or leave the country. UW-Madison doesn’t have independent authority to join a lawsuit to challenge, but the state of Wisconsin has joined it. 

COVID-19 testing on campus will begin August 1. Fall plans are on track, although virtually every area of campus is being run differently than it was before. 

One of the chancellor’s recent blog posts outlined campus efforts towards equity, inclusion, and diversity. The target of opportunity (TOP) program will continue: this helps identify and recruit faculty who would add diversity to the campus community. The Our Wisconsin program (inclusion education to raise awareness of the diversity within the student population) will be required of all freshman. A $10 million fundraising goal will be used for scholarships and faculty support. Steve Ackerman, vice chancellor for research and graduate education, is funding projects involving race. 

Sandgren moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss committee appointments, a track transfer and a tenure clock extension. Seconded. Passed at 2:58 pm. 

Sandgren moved to convene in open session which was seconded at 4:09 pm when Chair Wolf adjourned the meeting. 

Submitted by Heather Daniels, Secretary of the Faculty