University Committee

Minutes for September 28, 2020

Approved October 5, 2020

 

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

UC members absent: Halverson

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lori Getter, Kevin Jacobson, Yvonne Kim, Matt Mayrl, Jake McCulloch, Kelly Meyerhofer, Jack O’Meara, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler, one unnamed person

 

Kirsten Wolf called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.

 

Tracy moved to approve the minutes for September 25, 2020. Seconded. Approved.

 

The University Committee agreed to send a message to all faculty regarding the recent campus reopening plan.

 

PROFS shared that the Evers administration announced additional cuts for the current budget year. UW System has a $45 million cut, which represents a smaller percentage than last year. $32 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has gone to UW System to cover testing and contact tracing costs.

 

Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, discussed proposed changes to Chapter 3 of Faculty Policies & Procedures to allow academic staff to retain graduate faculty status after retirement or resignation. There are about 100 fewer graduate students enrolled this year, and 475 deferrals for next year which includes many international students.

 

The Graduate School has provided $1.2 million for summer funding lost to COVID-19 and will provide $1.5 million for spring dissertation completion fellowships. A graduate student survey this fall will help plan for the spring semester.

 

Provost Karl Scholz discussed the proposal to change the October 30^th deadline for the course drop date to November 20^th, which corresponds with the regular withdrawal date. The University Committee agreed.

 

He will present the University Academic Planning Council (UAPC) report to the Senate on October 5. Highlights include 135 course approvals and the formalized definition of department-like bodies.

 

COVID-19 testing 7 day average is 32 positive results. Testing is now done weekly in dorms; surge testing will be done if needed. Some face-to-face instruction was reintroduced on Saturday. John Zumbrunnen is holding group engagement sessions to check in with instructors.

 

Lauren Hasselbacher, Title IX Coordinator, provided an update on changes to the Wisconsin State Administrative Code due to new federal guidelines. Changes include a change in definitions and limiting the scope of when the regulations would apply. The changes in code are temporary and set to expire on January 11. The same UW System working group that worked on the temporary language is working to draft permanent language.

 

Tracy moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel issues. Seconded. Passed at 2:45 pm.

 

Tracy moved to convene in open session which was seconded at 3:43 pm.

 

Chair Wolf adjourned the meeting at 4:00 pm.

 

Submitted by Heather Daniels, Secretary of the Faculty