Minutes for August 19, 2024

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

Others present: Greg Bump, Ashley Hagen, Michelle Felber, Nancy Lynch, Julie Scharm, Jennifer Skibba, Dominic Zappia

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

Chief Technology Officer Todd Shechter and Associate Vice Provost and Academic Technology Director and Tamara Walker provide an update on artificial intelligence (AI) at the university. The Division of Information Technology’s approaching to assessing AI services is to try to purchase existing services instead of building custom services, evaluate what services can be provided with the tools the university already has, and ensure data and security protection. AI services and tools contracted with the university are encouraged whenever possible for data protection guarantees.

Assessment Director Nick Curtis and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and John Zumbrunnen shared that the current course evaluation tool was recently reviewed and a process is underway to identify a new tool best suited for the university.

The minutes from August 12, 2024 meeting were approved by automatic consent.

Jones motioned and it was seconded and approved, to approve the revised University Committee operating procedures dated August 2024. The University Committee also discussed their upcoming priorities for the year.

Provost Charles Isbell shared that Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin would not be able to attend the meeting due to travel plan disruptions. Craig Thompson will join the university on September 16, 2024 as vice chancellor for university relations. Lois Brooks will retire as the chief information officer in early 2025 and a search is being launched.

Stein motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c)(f) and (g) to confer with legal counsel regarding litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved and to discuss waivers at 2:48 pm. One tenure clock extension, two dual role waivers, and one tenure clock correction were approved.

Stein motioned to reconvene in open session at 4:08 pm.

Li adjourned the meeting at 4:11 pm.

Minutes submitted by Julie Scharm, deputy secretary of the faculty