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

UC members absent: Amasino, Litovsky

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

Chair Amy Wendt called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. and thanked Tom Broman and Ruth Litovsky for their work on a solidarity resolution. Wendt called attention to the new promotional pay increments for faculty, which the committee passed by consensus following a brief discussion. The minutes of the meeting of November 21, 2016, were approved. PROFS President Judith Burstyn presented the PROFS annual report, which will she will also present at the upcoming Senate meeting. Highlights include steady membership rates and finances, communication with the Dane County delegation and others, and a forum on self-insurance. Discussion ensued, including process for selecting next PROFS President and return of campus carry and fetal tissue bills. The UC reviewed the agenda for the December Faculty Senate meeting, along with revised and new materials not already reviewed. Following discussion, the UC decided to request further revisions to the resolution on solidarity prior to submission to the Senate.

Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Marsha Mailick discussed the drop in national research rankings, something that has been a concern for a while. While it is not possible to draw a direct line between state budget and research rankings, there are multiple impacts and almost all other states are investing in higher education while Wisconsin is cutting. A great deal of discussion followed, particularly on how best to nurture new ideas and what constitutes success. Mailick will share analysis of UW2020 applications at future meeting.

Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf commented on the UC’s draft letter to Presidents Cross and Millner on post-tenure review. All agreed that emphasis should be on active collaboration and support by administration, size and complexity of Madison campus, and the fact that deans already have and will continue to have ample ability and authority to review and act. Madison sent its concerns on the draft System consensual relationship policy, but whether those will be incorporated is up in the air.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank informed the UC of her upcoming trips and meetings, as well as what she expects from the upcoming Board of Regents meeting, and provided a final report on voter registration (we ended up distributing about 5500 voter ID cards and there were no undue lines reported on election day). Blank indicated that the university is pausing on the FLSA implementation (except the post-doc part) in light of the recent judicial stay and provided an update on the meningitis situation.

Broman 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 3:00 p.m. The UC unanimously passed one dual role waiver and one clinical duties tenure clock extension. Bowers moved to reconvene in open session. Motion seconded and passed at 3:14, at which point Wendt adjourned the meeting.