Meeting minutes for March 14, 2016

UC members present: Broman, Edwards, Litovsky, Meyerand (chair), Wanner

UC member absent: Wendt

Others present: Felber, O’Meara, S. Smith, J. Richard, Daniels, McFadden, Bump

Chair Beth Meyerand called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. PROFS lobbyist Jack O’Meara distributed a hard copy of a previously emailed table summarizing legislation affecting campus. Felber provided information on UW Day, sponsored by Wisconsin Alumni Association. Discussion. Minutes of the meeting of February 29, 2016, approved.

The UC reviewed a letter from the GLBTQ issues committee regarding possible charge for ad hoc health benefits committee. The UC agreed that the letter provided strong backbone for a charge to this committee, addressing serious and pressing issues. Edwards suggested and all supported adding language encouraging recommendations to UW Health as model for health care providers serving university community, particularly in light of merger and self-insurance discussions.

Broman moved and Meyerand seconded to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. Motion passed at 1:16 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved two dual role waiver requests, one for a period shorter than requested. The UC approved one nomination to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve committee, discussed membership on the ad hoc equitable and inclusive health benefits committee, and approved recommendations to serve on student hearing panels. Edwards moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 1:43 p.m.

Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Michael Lehman introduced himself and indicated no big surprises in his first week. He is meeting a wide variety of people and would love input. Wanner expressed UC’s desire to help and to bridge VCFA and faculty. Lehman sees vital role for faculty and other governance groups in strategic thinking and long-term planning; transparency and communication are key goals. Ample discussion, which include shared governance budget committee, budget model, morale, and more. Lehman believes chancellor, provost, and VCFA collectively should make hard choices, but everyone should understand, see, and participate in process.

Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf and Chancellor Rebecca Blank discussed the status of tenure policies with the UC. Dissatisfaction with how System policy was handled and justified, but we now have to move forward. Madison will submit its tenure and layoff policy in April as proposed by the faculty. Lawyers are reviewing and will identify areas of likely amendment. Chancellor will argue that our policy must be consistent with peers and that we can always make policies stronger than the overarching one. Expectation is that Regents will pass largely intact. Post-tenure review policy has more significant disconnections. However, assumption is that these are not counter to the intent of regental policy and can be met with wording changes and reorganization. Will be on UC to work with lawyers and bring to Senate. Ample discussion on timing, sequencing, and strategy. 

Broman moved to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss personnel matters. Motion seconded and passed at 2:22 p.m. The UC discussed nursing finalist campus visits and nominated members to an ad hoc de novo CFRR-requested review. Athletic Board chair Mark Covaleski joined the closed session at the end to discuss candidates to succeed him as chair and to serve as FAR for the coming cycle. Edwards moved and Broman seconded to reconvene in open session. Motion passed at 2:51 p.m.

Athletic Board chair Mark Covaleski provided update on basketball coach selection process, which was first use of new system. Template seems to have worked well. Next test will be women’s basketball coach, which will be different because external. Time compression, availability of information, confidentiality of applicant all new territory. Discussion. 

VCFS Michael Bernard-Donals, Catharine DeRubeis, and the UC engaged in a wide-ranging conversation around the general topic of dual roles and waiver requests in light of changing realities, particularly the new HLC policy on minimum qualifications. Number of rule waiver requests is bound to increase with new requirements. Perhaps time to think differently about multiple roles on this campus. Consensus that major discussion (taking into account clinical faculty, HR aspects, tenure aspect, governance, titling, summer, overloads, etc.) needed ahead of reaccreditation. Next step will be UC discussion with provost, then perhaps joint UC/ASEC or joint faculty/AS committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:32 p.m.