Minutes for June 03, 2024

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Jones, Kendall, Stein

Others present: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Becky Jacobs, Julie Scharm, Jen Young

Pro Tem Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Rob Cramer provided an update on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) chief search. A search committee will be identified by July 1, 2024, representing a range of perspectives and engaging the larger community, and final candidate visits will occur in the fall semester. In regards to UWPD staffing, recruitment and retention of sworn officers is a national challenge in the post-pandemic landscape. There are also gaps in dispatch and security staff. Leadership is looking at ways to address the staffing shortage and to free up resources.

The administrative quality satisfaction survey was completed at the end of April 2024. Of the 28,765 surveys distributed, 4,000 surveys were completed, resulting in a 13.8% participation rate. The faculty participation rate was 13%. Actionable items will be identified this summer, and a final report will be released this fall.

Approximately 8,000 students moved out of the residence halls at the end of the spring semester. University Housing has an annual program to divert waste to other areas, such as recycling and Goodwill. About 162,000 pounds of waste were diverted this spring.

Budget approach discussions continue, with higher-level questions emerging for both the task forces and leadership to consider.

The minutes from May 20, 2024 meeting were approved by automatic consent.

The University Committee began discussions regarding their representation on various committees.

Bernard-Donals 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 2:00 pm. One tenure clock extension and one leave of absence were approved.

Kendall motioned to reconvene in open session at 2:14 pm. It was seconded and approved. The committee took a recess from 2:20 pm to 2:30 pm.

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin shared information on the May 10, 2024 agreement reached between campus leaders and student representatives from Students for Justice in Palestine to end the encampment on Library Mall. Details are available online at: https://news.wisc.edu/agreement-reached-to-resolve-library-mall-tent-encampment/. Follow-up discussions are taking place. The university is committed to free speech and creating a space for all students to feel included, including during times when there are diverging viewpoints.

On May 23, 2024, the NCAA and the nation’s five largest athletics conferences agreed to a settlement, which includes payment of back damages and a new revenue-sharing model that could start steering significant funds to student athletes. The settlement still needs to be approved by the federal judge.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 3:04 pm.

Minutes submitted by Julie Scharm, deputy secretary of the faculty