Minutes for August 1, 2022

UC members present: Papp (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault, Zweibel

Others: Sue Babcock, Gideon Elliott, Jack O’Meara, Jake Smith

Chair Papp called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.

Beth Meyerand, Vice Provost for Faculty and Staff Issues, presented a policy that would require applicants that wish to be considered for a tenured position at UW-Madison to allow UW-Madison to ask their previous institutions about any finding of misconduct prior to hire. This has been implemented at a couple University of California campuses with success. The University Committee held a broad discussion on the matter and indicated they are fine with this policy.

Steve Ackerman reported that Senator Tammy Baldwin was on campus visiting. He has been working with Mike Lehn in UW-Madison’s DC office to get additional resources for research. UW-Madison will be receiving funding ($10 million for year 1 and then $5 million following) for an Institute of Rural Partnerships. There are ongoing discussions in CALS on how the money could be used. They plan to install air and soil measuring system with one in each county which would be used by the USDA, local businesses and faculty. The system will be important for drought monitoring and data informed decision making. For example, the USDA uses this system to assign drought money for farmers. WARF will be providing the equipment.

He also announced the opening of the Cranberry Research Station. The research computing infrastructure project is underway, but they are running into data storage issues. The VCRGE will be funding a anesthesiology core for large animals for 3-years due to a loss of staff on campus. Following the trial, they will determine how this service should be provided. Finally, there was a robust discussion on the upward trend of startup costs.

The minutes for the meeting of July 18, 2022, were approved with one correction.   

Diana Hess, Interim Provost, shared that the new CALS dean would be starting on August 4. The Public History Project exhibit at the Chazen will open September 12 and close at the end of the calendar year.

For enrollment, final numbers will not be available for the freshman class for a while. The number of international and transfer students is similar to last year. 41-42% of freshman will be Wisconsin residents and 31% will be students of color. Schools and colleges have received additional funds already to handle the larger incoming class, and additional funds could be available following the October 1 enrollment freeze for use during second semester.

The University Committee discussed their upcoming first meeting with Chancellor Mnookin. They would like to have an initial conversation with her about expectations of their relationship with her.

Papp motioned, and it was seconded, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss rule waivers and grievances at 2:36. A tenure clock extension, leave of absence, dual role and transfer from tenure track to academic staff appointment were approved.

Papp motioned to reconvene in open session at 3:24.

Papp adjourned the meeting at 3:30.