Approved Minutes for April 16, 2018          Approved April 30, 2018

UC members present: Amasino, Bowers, Ventura, Wanner (chair), Warfield

UC member absent: Litovsky

Others present: S. Smith, J. Richard, M. Bernard-Donals, J. O’Meara, J. Smith, H. Daniels

Chair Anja Wanner called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and reviewed pending items and available materials. The minutes of the meeting of April 9, 2018, were approved. Jack O’Meara reported on PROFS’ meeting with Regent Mueller, which was also attended by Terry Warfield. Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Steve Cramer provided an update on HLC reaccreditation and on the Student Digital Ecosystem. On the former, there is still a lot of work to do, especially on syllabus, course learning outcomes, and direct assessment, and Cramer asked for input on the right balance between policy changes and persuasion in terms of compliance. Consensus agrees with Cramer that the persuasion route is the way to go. A simulation of the accreditation syllabus exercise will be conducted soon. On the Student Digital Ecosystem, Cramer provided specific updates about the Canvas transition (D2L retiring end of this semester, extension through December for Moodle space), Engage EText (all students acquire model has enough interest that it will require automation soon), and the Unizin Data Platform (aggregator for Canvas, Engage eText, and TopHat, to which we can add SIS data; currently ingesting data; display about a year away).

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller reported on the LAB report on university foundations and other audits, as well as the fact that the university controller is in the early stages of putting together our first formal internal controls plan. Heller also discussed the status of WSB budget models, the overall budget model, and the fact that the emphasis for the next couple years will be about “growing the pie” as opposed to changing divisions of the pie. Heller also reported on the work of two shared governance groups: the Chapter 6 Budget Committee and the Protest Response Advisory Team, and concluded with updates on searches and hard copies of the Finance and Administration Strategic Plan.

Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charlie Hoslet introduced Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Brand Strategy Tricia Nolan, who in turn led a discussion about the possibilities, pros, and cons of a potential paid media strategy to help with faculty recruitment. Ample and nuanced discussion followed, from which several consensus points emerged, including: there are many myths about faculty that should be corrected, although this kind of campaign may not be the place for that; there are many positives that should be emphasized (collegiality, community, mentoring, etc.), but paid media might underline the fact that problems need to be addressed rather than addressing positives and solutions; the strongest selling point for Madison is individuals, not media; bang for the buck is critical and there may be other strategies (outreach, for ex.) that are more effective than paid media. General conclusion: There may be some value in paid media to attract faculty, create increasingly positive presence, but the return on investment probably isn’t worth it.  In answer to a question, Hoslet concluded by reporting on campus strategy for marketing the re-merger with Extension.

The UC discussed the May Senate agenda, particularly the item on the academic calendar. All agreed that more data is needed and ideally this topic could get pushed to the fall. Warfield 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 2:42 p.m. The UC discussed and approved without dissent to support a proposal by the dean of Letters & Science to set aside the preferential balloting for director of a center. Rick Amasino moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 3:07 p.m., at which point the meeting was adjourned by the chair.