Minutes for March 15, 2021
 

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

Others present not mentioned below: Michaela Aust, Michael Bernard-Donals, Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Yvonne Kim, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler

Chair Wolf commenced the meeting at 1:00.

Karl Scholz, Provost, discussed using the regular tenure clock extension process for faculty members who need a 2nd round of tenure clock extensions. The Provost and the University Committee chair will issue a memo to department chairs, encouraging them to be accommodating to requests.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, commented that this is #TakeCareUW week. The kick off was a Mental Health & Wellness Summit with keynote speaker Joy Harden Bradford. She is increasing outreach to some student groups and having them discuss the questions from the leadership breakfast about the campus after the pandemic. Seniors are looking forward to the in-person commencement.

Chair Wolf shared that the vote for the next UC chair will be held next week.

The minutes for the meeting of March 8, 2021 were approved by consent.

The UC had one of their recurring discussions regarding promotion from associate professor to professor. Secretary Daniels will compile more context to compare the guiding memo from 2016 and the new proposed language.

Sandgren 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 2:16 pm.

Tracy moved to convene in open session. Seconded. Passed at 2:29 p.m.

Rebecca Blank, Chancellor, is very pleased with the results from COVID-19 testing – just 4-8 cases per day. The vaccine supply is increasing, and UW got well over 1000 doses this week. They are vaccinating all staff who have in person contact with students.

There are many questions coming up about returning to campus. Telecommuting policies must be in place before the doors fully open. Department chairs have been asked to hold department conversations on teaching this spring. John Zumbrunnen and Steve Cramer will lead university-wide activities to complement programs in the schools/colleges and departments.

The press release about in-person commencement at Camp Randall has gone out. It will be for students, no guests, masked and distanced, and everyone’s Badger Badge must be up to date.