Minutes for January 27, 2025

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

Others present: Greg Bump, Lesley Fisher, Ashley Hagen, Becky Jacobs, Mallory Musolf, Ethan Park, Julie Scharm, Dom Zappia

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

Tom Kuech and Susan Ellis Weismer from the Ombuds Office presented their annual report. There are currently six ombuds, and one of them has been trained in mediation. There continues to be a need for supervisor training as well as mentoring/coaching for staff and new employees. They have also noticed vast differences in how letters of expectations are being written.

Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, shared that the shadow data for the budget approach was now available to dean’s offices. The coordinating committee will receive an update on February 4, the Budget Committee on February 10, and then the University Committee.

Regarding the state budget, the governor is expected to give his budget address on February 18. The Joint Finance Committee will complete their work in June or July. Recently the new Engineering building was fully approved by the state.

Workday is still scheduled to go live on July 1. It will eliminate 700 ancillary systems, improve cybersecurity, provide better finance information and better reporting. There are over 100 process maps between the finance and human resources systems in Workday. There will be a series of Workday open houses in the spring with training starting in March.

They are actively monitoring the federal funding situation and will provide updates as needed. The UWPD chief search will finish this week.

In regard to graduate student well-being, Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, told the University Committee that the Graduate School has a partnership with the Office of Student Assistance and Support for a shared position to support graduate students. They hope to expand to a second position. Graduate students also have access to resources at UHS, and graduate school newsletters provide information on well-being services.

Provost Charles Isbell shared that RISE continues forward with new hires and a set of working groups. There are a number of ongoing searches including Dean of the College of Engineering and the Chief Information Officer. The University Committee discussed issues with department chairs following up on a discussion from last spring’s leadership breakfast.

Keith Woodward, Professor from the Department of Geography, shared a revised resolution with the University Committee. There was a motion for the University Committee to sponsor the resolution (Kendall). Seconded. Approved.

Craig Thompson, the Vice Chancellor for University Relations, introduced himself to the University Committee. His office oversees state relations, federal relations, community partnerships, tribal relations and business engagement. Priorities for UW-Madison in this year’s budget include an increase in GPR funding, a fully funded compensation plan, and limited bonding authority. Capital projects include relocation of departments in the humanities building and demolition of that building and a new residence hall.

In regard to the federal level, he has established a cross-campus working group to look at the executive orders issued by President Trump. The campus is providing targeted information out as it is known and has established a website for more information. They are coordinating with offices on campus for immigration issues. Leadership is staying in touch with national organizations to see how peers are handing these issues.

Amy Trentham Dietz and Angel Tang from the University Libraries Committee presented their annual report. They have had discussions on the library strategic plan, public access, AI, and enhancing library collections and addressing gaps.

The minutes from December 16, 2024, January 14, 2025, and January 22, 2025 meetings were approved by automatic consent.

Kendall 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 3:40 pm. One tenure clock extension was approved.

Kendall motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 4:25 pm.

The University Committee approved the Faculty Senate agenda for distribution. The University Committee discussed holding an open house/listening session in March.

Li adjourned the meeting at 4:31 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.