Minutes for August 7, 2023

UC members present: Jones, King, Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault (chair)

Others present: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Jake Smith, Lindsey Stoddard Cameron

Chair Thibeault called the meeting to order at 1:00pm.

Thibeault motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss committee appointments and waivers at 1:00pm. One dual role waiver was approved.

Thibeault motioned to reconvene in open session at 1:20pm. It was seconded and approved.

The minutes from July 24, 2023 were approved by automatic consent.

The Graduate School annual report for 2022-2023 was released and is available online. The provost’s memo regarding the formal recognition and implementation of recommendations of the extension governance and funding model work group was revised and the corrections align with Faculty Policies and Procedures. The draft timeline for the proposed change in the Graduate School dean reporting line outlines the dates for discussion and decisions on the change.

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin shared that Frances Vavrus began her position as vice provost and dean of the International Division on July 31, and that Charles Isbell began his position as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on August 1. The University Committee shared the draft timeline for the proposed change in the Graduate School dean reporting line. The timeline will affect the vice chancellor for research and graduate education position search, which the Office of the Chancellor is beginning to organize, including how the position description is written and the potential candidates, both who will apply and the skill sets needed. The position will include new areas of focus, such as strategies for large, interdisciplinary grants, innovation, and opportunities both in STEM and non-STEM spaces. Most peer institutions have a cabinet-level position focused on innovation. In terms of graduate education, the chancellor is committed to improving the graduate student education and experience and to funding support.

UW-Oshkosh faces a large shortfall with the recent state budget. The Board of Regents will discuss the overall state budget at their meeting on August 22.

The proposed Native Nations tuition waiver was shared with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council. The tribes are collecting information on time to degree and student success, which may provide a revision to the proposal. If the proposal is approved, the waiver will apply to current students on its effective date. The program will cover the full cost of attendance for qualifying undergraduate students (on top of student scholarships, etc.) and there may be a pilot program to cover tuition expenses for a couple of professional programs.

Provost Charles Isbell shared his interest in strategic and broad visioning in scholarship, education, and innovation. He shared the desire to think about the growth of the university: about what opportunities and limitations there are, how to set the university up well for the future, and what infrastructures is needed. He also shared the need to examine the reporting lines and workflow for the Office of the Provost in order to provide the proper levels of support.

Thibeault adjourned the meeting at 2:30pm.

Minutes submitted by Julie Scharm, Deputy Secretary of the Faculty