Approved minutes for August 27, 2018          Approved September 17, 2018

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

Others present: S. Smith, N. Connor, L. Haynes, J. Greenberg, J. O’Meara, H. Daniels, J. Richard, E. Brown, M. Mayrl

Chair Rick Amasino called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Secretary Steve Smith called attention to several documents and materials and Terry Warfield reported on the previous week’s Board of Regents meeting. The minutes of the meeting of August 13, 2018, were approved. 

Dorothy Farrar Edwards, chair of the IRB Working Group, presented that group’s draft report group’s draft report. Edwards summarized the work and process that led to the document, which includes core principles and conclusions. Many of the report’s recommendations (such as changes to ARROW, for example) are already moving forward in the OVCRGE. Following extensive discussion with Edwards, Research Compliance Director Lynn Haynes, and associate vice chancellors Nadine Connor and Jan Greenberg, the UC commented on the document and accepted it, indicating it should be presented to the Faculty Senate in November, perhaps as part of the annual “State of the Research Enterprise” address. After that an implementation committee will be formed. Switching hats, as chair of the search and screen committee for a new VCRGE, Edwards reported on the status of the search and asked the UC to clarify roles therein, which it will do.

Chief Diversity Officer and now Deputy Vice Chancellor Patrick Sims introduced his new chief of staff, Edward Brown, and explained the new component of his role as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion, which has been added to his role as Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer. Sims’s mission and that of the DDEEA has not changed, but now has a direct connection to the chancellor’s office. Sims reported on projects for the new academic year, including expanding on affinity groups, faculty of color reception (September 25), fall diversity forum (Oct 31-Nov 1), survey about staying/leaving, and more. There was some discussion of pipeline programs, especially the re-focused PEOPLE program, and future follow-up to the climate survey.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank reported on the (unsolicited and in many ways still undefined) gift from Foxconn. First and primary use will likely be building on engineering campus, for which campus will pay half. This gift is over and above funding for any specific projects. Much discussion ensued. Blank also reported on and discussed the start of the academic year, the annual leadership summit, new faculty welcome and other events, flooding, and more. Blank lauded the inclusion of trans surgery in our insurance and spoke favorably about the BoR budget request. Campus priority on the latter continues to be a strong capital request that includes program revenue bonding. Blank concluded her time with the UC with a report on the new class of King-Morgridge scholars and positive reflections on the overall program. 

Kirsten Wolf 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 2:53 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved five dual role waiver requests. In response to a request for a faculty member to serve on an HR-based Return to Work working group, the UC recommended the group get in touch with the WSB. The UC decided to carry over the Madison MEGIC and TWG faculty members into the new MSN-UWEX governance group. The UC named a sabbatical replacement on the Committee on Committees and discussed an ongoing grievance. After due deliberation, the UC concluded that the matter is not under its purview and that due process is being followed through other channels. Steve Ventura moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 3:52 pm, at which point the meeting was adjourned by Amasino.