Minutes for October 3, 2022

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Li, Papp (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault

Others: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Jennifer Noyes, Julie Scharm

Chair Papp called the meeting to order at 1:40 pm.

Papp motioned, and it was seconded, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss waivers at 1:40. One tenure clock extension was approved.

Papp motioned to reconvene in open session at 1:43. It was seconded and approved.

The minutes for the meeting of September 26, 2022, were approved.   

Final drafts of the Menard survey for students on freedom of expression were distributed. Secretary Daniels also related an inquiry she had received about postdoc positions incorporating teaching and research into one position.

Provost Karl Scholz asked the University Committee so share what they had been hearing about the beginning of the semester and also what items they wanted to make sure would start to be addressed. Religious observances seem to be coming up a lot this spring with Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur taking place on popular class days. Accommodation requests for students are also increasing.

Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor, gave a report on the Board of Regents meeting. They approved a request to lease research space in research park. They also received the first iteration of a strategic plan for UW System. She was asked to speak for ten minutes to the Regents on the research enterprise and focused on the strength UW-Madison has in this area, but also how its vulnerable.

UW-Madison has its largest incoming class this year with 8635 students. It is also the most diverse class in the history of UW-Madison with 16.6% of the class from under-represented students of color (a 50% increase in the past three years), and 31% of the class are students of color.

Papp adjourned the meeting at 3:08.