Minutes for March 1, 2021

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

Others present not listed below: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Yvonne Kim, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler

Chair Wolf called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.

Papp moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss grievances and committee appointments. Seconded. Passed at 1:13 p.m.

Sandgren moved to convene in open session. Seconded. Passed at 1:56 p.m.

Steve Ackerman, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education assured the UC that the research world is genuinely doing fine. National Science Foundation has released its 2019 fiscal year Higher Education Research and Development Survey, or HERD data, and we held our 8th place in the public and private universities.

They have been looking at the effect of the pandemic on research spending and travel is where the greatest loss is happening. Proposals for Research Forward, which started after the sunset of UW2020 are being reviewed. Also out for review are proposals for the Understanding and Reducing Inequalities Initiative. The new Promoting Industry Collaboration Initiative will facilitate research partnerships and graduate-student internships in collaboration with the private sector.

Rebecca Blank, Chancellor, provided a snapshot of the COVID-19 response: after a few days with over 100 positive tests, the rate is down to .05%. Vaccine supply continues to be a problem and has stalled establishing a vaccination clinic at the Alliant Center for K-12 teachers. Governor Evers’ state budget was as good as it could get: about twice as much as UW System had requested, and includes reciprocity changes and borrowing, and two building projects.

Chair Wolf adjourned the meeting at 2:38