Minutes for April 22, 2024

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Li, Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault, Zweibel

Others present: Michelle Felber, Kevin Jacobson, and Julie Scharm

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

Li motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss waivers at 1:00 pm. One dual-role and tenure clock extension were approved.

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

The minutes from April 8, 2024, were approved with one correction by automatic consent.

Nathan Sherer provided the annual report for the Recreation and Well-Being Advisory Board for 2022-23. That year began the transition into more in person activities. Other topics that committee discussed included raising student wages, progress on the Bakke building, phasing out the Shell, new pricing models for services and providing some flexible options for guests passes and community involvement. Other things including the addition of Adventure Learning Programs to the portfolio of Recreation and Wellbeing, restarting of intramural sports, providing high schools access to facilities, and new wellness programs.

Patrick Kass, Director of Transportation Services, reported that salary-based parking was brought to the Campus Transportation Committee and discussed over several meetings. They unanimously recommended keeping the current parking program in place. There will be no increase in parking permit prices this year, and the reduced price parking program will remain with the annual salary for being qualified for the program raising to $41,267.

Provost Charles Isbell shared that the RISE EARTH (Environment: Adaptation, Resilience, Technology and Humanity, was announced today as the second area of focus. There will be two themes: one on sustainable energy and technical systems and the second on looking at reimagining economic and environmental systems. There have been a group of thought leaders meeting to discuss how to engage RISE hires once they arrive. They are considering a workshop in the fall as one way to start this process. There is also a joint  operations team figuring out the logistics of tracking and hiring.

Provost Isbell also discussed the budget approach including the fact that general education is currently stewarded by the College of Letters and Science. He also brought up discussions about the curriculum committee and whether the UC was interested in moving forward with any changes in regards to course review.

Rob Streiffer and Carl Sovinec from the Office Education program and committee discussed the annual report for several years. The program hosts 230 cadets on average each year and commission about 50 officers. In 2021-22, they welcomed three new commanders of ROTC units located on campus. The two main outstanding issues, both related to facilities. There were some safety issues in one of the buildings including stairs and the lack of a fire alarm and locking door on a classroom. These are being addressed. There is also the larger issue of finding permanent space for the programs. Another issue has been funding. The army and air force only offer 3-year scholarships for students and don’t fund the final year. They are looking a large number of candidates to competitors, who are offering additional funding. They believe in 2025-26, there will be additional support available to make their offers more competitive.

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, reported that the new Center for Interfaith dialogue has helped with education about religious identifies. They have put together language to help guide students when talking to instructors about religious observances. Her staff is continuing to hear about the need for additional cultural centers on campus. They are still working on a space plan with the consultant and may have more information on the fall.

Thibeault adjourned the meeting at 3:24 pm.