University Committee

Minutes for October 26, 2020

Approved November 02, 2020

 

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

Also present, besides those mentioned below: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Amol Goyal, Charles Hoslet, Kevin Jacobson, Yvonne Kim, Rich Kremer, John Lucas,  Jack O’Meara, Kris Olds, Alex Peirce, Crystal Potts, Noel Radomski, Lori Reesor, Jane Richard, Paul Seitz, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler

 

Chair Wolf called the meeting to order at 1:31 pm.

 

The University Committee approved having a few more candidates than allowed in Faculty Policy and Procedures for a couple of committee slates.

 

Tracy moved approved of the minutes of October 12 and 19, 2020. Seconded. Approved.

 

Kevin Jacobson, Associated Students of Madison Shared Governance Campaign Director, briefed the University Committee on an ASM resolution asking instructors to accommodate students needing time away from classes to vote on Election Day.

 

Jordan Rosenblum, chair of the University Lectures Committee, presented their annual report. Virtual lectures are continuing during the pandemic (mainly for honoraria).

 

Provost Karl Scholz reported on surveys for academic staff instructors from the Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC), and a comprehensive undergraduate survey. John Zumbrunnen, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, worked with partners across campus to compile the questions for undergraduates covering housing, courses, communications, awareness of resources, sense of belonging, modality preferences for spring, and demographics.

 

Scholz announced that a search for the director of the Division of the Arts will launch soon, with a committee chaired by Dean Soyeon Shim. It will be an internal search for a faculty member. There is no curriculum embedded within the division. The Division will no longer be home to the Wisconsin Film Festival or the Early Music Festival, instead the plan is for it to focus on collaboration within the arts and the university.

 

Tracy moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c)(e) and (f) to discuss waivers. Seconded. Passed at 2:42 pm.

 

Sandgren moved to convene in open session which was seconded and passed at 3:11 pm.

 

Laurent Heller, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, introduced the Revenue Innovation Study Group, which was made up of faculty, city officials, and others across campus. It explored how to increase revenue through means consistent with the values of the university. The group developed 10 guiding principles including “factoring in and respecting principles of shared governance, which give representation to academic staff, university staff, faculty and students, who all take part in making significant decisions concerning the operation of the University.” Three strategy categories are: corporate and industry partnerships; auxiliary and asset optimization; and real estate. A full report will be available soon.  

 

Masters moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss a grievance. Seconded. Passed at 3:45 pm.

 

Sandgren moved to convene in open session which was seconded and passed at 4:30 pm.

 

Adjourned at 4:38 pm.

 

Submitted by Heather Daniels, Secretary of the Faculty