Minutes for September 26, 2016

UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Broman, Litovsky, Wanner, Wendt (chair)

Others present: S. Smith, M. Felber, J. Richard, O. Arain, J. O’Meara, H. Daniels

Chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Updates and discussion on the afternoon’s Senate meeting and the October 11 shared governance reception. Minutes of the meeting of September 19, 2016, approved as amended. Jack O’Meara reminded all present of the PROFS Steering Committee meeting. PROFS will meet with Regent President Milner sometime after the Board meeting. Discussion of recent reports about decline in UW System (but not Madison) enrollment numbers and state budget process. Litovsky moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. The motion was seconded and passed at 1:20 p.m. The UC identified additional nominations from the School of Business to serve on the dean search committee. The UC approved a dual role waiver request for one year. Wendt moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 1:40 p.m.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller discussed the Amazon delivery point. Alternative locations being explored; site will not be in Red Gym. Consensus that primary substantive concerns were about location and consultation. How decisions are reached about agreements with for-profit entities less of a concern, but still an issue. Broad discussions of systems that might ensure shared governance involvement in such partnerships (whether involving space or not). Wendt updated the vice chancellor on the Commission on Faculty Compensation and Economic Benefits charge. Discussion of parental leave, titling and compensation study, budget process, and pay plan. On the latter, this is the first biennium since HRS authority; important to not have a gap between what campus and System request. Heller concluded with an update on the FLSA changes with respect to post-docs. Campus decision that post-docs above a certain percentage FTE will move to FLSA-mandated rates. Campus will offer some bridge funding to mitigate impact.

Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf briefed the UC on the UW System Extension Council. Litovsky asked about the university’s hate and bias reporting processes. Lengthy discussion followed, including need to expand system campuswide, triaging of reports, terminology and messaging, and notifications. Broman asked about mandate to report on courses that have not been recently taught. Ample discussion, including how this requirement is communicated and why it is being done.

Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charlie Hoslet provided updates on personnel changes: Ben Miller returning to corporate affairs; federal relations now vacant (PVL posted); state relations also vacant (incumbent moved to Badger Advocates; currently recruiting for replacement). Hoslet distributed a handout on advocacy efforts and described same in some detail. (This was basically the same presentation he made at the Budget Forum and at the Leadership Summit.) UC consensus that these efforts are well received and faculty are open to being asked to do more.

Over the past week, Chancellor Rebecca Blank met with the WARF board for a full day of strategic planning, the hospital board (and new director), and the Research Park board. Latter exploring greater density, interconnections, and potential retail. Memorial Union loading dock inaugurated, enables connection of campus from Kohl Center to Lake Mendota. Blank summarized the Budget Forum, which was successful and well attended. Statewide communication effort on the budget will continue with Blank making five trips to meet with other chancellors this fall to explain to various communities how the state budget affects us all. Discussion about Amazon delivery point. Some discussion of the imminent Senate meeting, in anticipation of which Wendt adjourned the meeting at 2:53 p.m.