Minutes for September 09, 2024

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

Others present: Greg Bump, Lindsey Stoddard Cameron, Ashley Hagen, Michelle Felber, Jennifer Noyes, Julie Scharm, Jenny Skibba, Dominic Zappia

Chair Li called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm.

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 and committee appointments at 12:31 pm. Two tenure clock extensions and four dual role waivers were approved.

Jones motioned to reconvene in open session at 12:47 pm.

The minutes from August 19, 2024, meeting were approved by automatic consent.

Senior Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, reported that he talked with the Academic Staff Executive Committee (ASEC) about course evaluations, and they are interested in looking at creating a new policy on this together with the faculty and the Division of Teaching and Learning.

In regards to RISE, there are three initiatives that have been announced. There is a joint operations team comprised of associate deans for research and central campus services leaders that is looking at coordination and tracking of hires this fall as well as exploring infrastructure needs including research computing.

There are thoughts leaders for the different initiatives, which is comprised of faculty members designated by deans. They met with the chancellor and provost a couple weeks ago. These groups are charged with thinking about opportunities/challenges and what success means.

There is a RISE Summit scheduled for September 20 with some of it livestreamed.

Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor, talked about working with attendees at the Fall Leadership Summit to provide feedback on the draft policy on statements. The Vice Chancellor for Research has started and the new Vice Chancellor for University Relations begins in a week.

During this summer, her leadership team has been working on policies around free speech and the policy on statements. There is a new online free expression module available to the entire campus at https://free-expression.wisc.edu/resources-policies-initiatives/free-expression-module-and-resources/

Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, indicated that the semester is off to a great start. Badger dialogues are happening again this year, and they are hoping to expand them. They are intended to bring together students and campus administrators from a variety of backgrounds to create a more inclusive campus community where everyone can flourish. They are continuing to hear problems with instructors not accommodating religious observances.

Li adjourned the meeting at 2:15 pm.