University Committee Meeting Minutes 2021-07-12

Minutes for July 12, 2021
 

UC members present: Halverson, Masters, Papp, Sandgren (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault

Others present besides those listed below: Michaela Aust, Michael Bernard-Donals, Greg Bump, Gideon Elliott, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, John Horn, Matt Mayrl, Jack O’Meara, Kelly Meyerhofer, Jane Richard, and Jake Smith

Chair Sandgren called the meeting to order at 1:01 pm.

The minutes of the meeting of June 21, 2021 were approved by consent.

Rob Cramer, Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, gave an update on Administrative Transformation Project (ATP). The WorkDay contract was approved by the Board of Regents. They hope to select a firm for implementation by October. He is working with UW System and the Board of Regents to invest some funds with the State of Wisconsin Investment Board that would provide a couple additional million dollars in interest. Construction on Van Hise will begin in August. They are hoping the noisy construction will be done by the start of the semester. The new Chemistry building is having challenges with the elevator system.

The University Committee recessed at 1:31 and resumed the meeting at 2:03 pm.

Karl Scholz, Provost, presented a proposal for requiring travel insurance for foreign travel. The cost is $10.50 per week or just over $30 per month. It can be charged to grant funds. The University Committee agreed with the proposal.

As of July 1, International Student Services and International Faculty and Staff Services are now within the International Division. Also the Center for Teaching, Learning and Mentoring was established. It comprises over 50 employees from Division of Continuing Studies, DoIT and the Collaborative. They are searching for space for the group.

Rebecca Blank, Chancellor, reported they were working on return for the fall. Right now about 88% of faculty are vaccinated and 76% of staff. These are probably still under estimates. The survey of dorm residents show 94% plan to be vaccinated upon arrival. Right now they are expecting a near normal fall.

The state budget was signed by the governor. It includes pay raises for employees in both years. There was virtually no new money for UW System. 30% of the pay increase will have to be covered by the university. $2 million in new funding was specified for Extension to hire specialists. In regards to buildings, the new Letters and Science building was approved at a lower level of funding than requested. They did not approve the new Engineering building.

Welcome back events for faculty and staff are being held in late July and early August. They are continuing working on the Rosh Hashanah conflict including messaging for instructors and students.

Halverson moved to convene in closed session; it was seconded and approved at 2:55 pm.

Masters moved to go into open session; it was seconded and approved at 3:09 pm. One tenure clock extension request and three appointments were approved.

Chair Sandgren adjourned the meeting at 3:12 pm.