Approved minutes for September 10, 2018          Approved as amended on September 17, 2018

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

Others present: S. Smith, J. Richard, J. O’Meara, J. Smith, E. Sandgren, H. Daniels, C. Springer, M. Mayrl

Chair Rick Amasino called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and called attention to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal about Chancellor Blank. Terry Warfield discussed a document that has been circulating about program elimination and productivity [link]. This document is a different draft version of a policy that governance reps have been discussing and providing feedback on. PROFS will try to set up a meeting with the System point person on this to determine where things stand and how much of this is policy and how much is still discussion. Earlier versions of this document have been discussed at UC, with APIR, and elsewhere. Secretary Steve Smith directed attention to several materials, including restructuring updates from UWS, the annual APIR report on staff and faculty diversity, Protest Guidelines, and a safe learning and work environment guide. Smith also explained proposed changes to SVM track transfer policies.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank reported on faculty events, cluster hires, an upcoming NCAA trial at which she will testify, the public history project that will grow of the recent KKK report, and our recent fall in US News rankings. Changes in the way those rankings are calculated made our fall inevitable, if not necessarily fair. Discussion throughout, continuing broader discussion of Athletics.

UW Cooperative Extension faculty Mike Ballweg, Elmo Rawling, and David Nack, along with UWEX Secretary of Faculty and Staff Andrea Cool reported on developments related to the return of Cooperative Extension to UW-Madison. Following ample discussion about procedures for approving academic structure, differences between Madison and UWEX in this regard, tenure, FPP and other policies, and more, the UWEX UC called for the creation of a transition issues group to look at academic structure. The Madison UC readily agreed. UWEX UC will draft a charge for UW Madison UC review. UWEX UC will formalize working group on 10/2 and then Madison UC will do same. A good deal of conversation followed about how the role of faculty, the role of administration, ant the interactions between the two are substantially different at UWEX. 

Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf participated in the majority of the UWEX conversation and she continued with that topic after the UWEX members departed. Mangelsdorf also discussed the new protest guidelines and the productivity document (see above for both). Chief of Police Kristen Roman was present for that discussion and continued the protest guidelines topic after the provost departed. Chief Roman called attention to the annual UWPD report [available online at link] and reported on several activities currently underway: a sexual assault awareness campaign in partnership with Madison Metro, an alcohol enforcement initiative focusing on student’s first 45 days in conjunction with city police, a neighborhood notification pilot for alerts and warning just off campus, campus security, and efforts on Library Mall to connect homeless populations with services.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor introduced herself and her new office. While a lot of her short time here has been spent getting to know people and processes, she has identified some priorities, including figuring out the DoS/VCSA division and creating a cabinet of student leaders. In coming months, searches for UHS Director and DoS will take up a lot of time. Student safety and wellness is another priority, especially mental healthcare for underrepresented and graduate students. Discussion ensued.

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 3:20 p.m. The UC discussed the possible appointment of an external chair for the Department of Art History with L&S Associate Dean Sue Zaeske. Following ample discussion and after Zaeske’s departure, Ventura moved to endorse the appointment. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The UC discussed and approved three dual role waiver requests. The UC also discussed and approved a leave of absence and a tenure clock extension, the latter contingent on additional information being supplied to the SOF. The UC nominated a faculty member to fill a sabbatical vacancy on the University Library Committee and Steve Ventura offered to reach out to possible nominees to the “environmental issues” seat on the Campus Planning Committee. Warfield moved to reconvene in open session. The motion was seconded and passed at 4:10 p.m., at which time the meeting was adjourned.