Minutes for September 30, 2024

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

Others present: Michelle Felber, Lesley Fisher, Jack O’Meara, Mallory Musolf, Julie Scharm

Chair Li called the meeting to order at 12:31 pm.

Dom Zappia, ASM chair, and Ashley Hagen, ASM shared governance chair, discussed changes to the student conduct process that happened over the summer. They were told that changes would be minimal, but they feel this was not the case. They also discussed how they were consulted on the expressive activity policy. In general, they feel like they should be consulted more often. The UC suggested the possibility of a shared governance consultation policy as well as suggesting they share their concerns with the Dean of Students Advisory Committee.

Diana Harvey, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, and Nancy Lynch, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, discussed the new policy on institutional statements. The policy carves out freedom of expression rights for individuals. The campus does have concerns about Title VI. The policy also allows statements on items directly related to the university’s operations. They are considering providing either a FAQ or other guidance to assist people in understanding what the policy does and does not allow.   

The minutes from September 23, 2024, meeting were approved with one addition by automatic consent.

The University Committee reviewed and approved the Faculty Senate agenda and senate operating procedures by consent.

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 committee appointments at 2:09 pm.

Zweifel motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 2:17 pm. 

The University Committee discussed dual-role waivers in relation to departments using them to avoid partial or full layoffs for researchers funded on grants.

Li adjourned the meeting at 2:39 pm.