University Committee Meeting Minutes 2026-03-09

Minutes for March 9, 2026

UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Chui, de Leon, Jones, Kendall, Mathieu

Others present: Greg Bump, Michelle Felber, Sabine Martin, Julie Scharm, Kelly Tyrell

Chair Annie Jones called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

Landis Varughese, Ashley Hagen, Clara Sainz Prats and Genevieve Lambert from ASM shared that student elections will take place soon and the shared governance appointment process has begun with a call for nominations. ASM is working with Voces De La Frontera on potential “Know Your Rights” training, but Voces has a limited capacity for training. ASM is exploring making the UW-Madison directory accessible only with a NetID. There are concerns from students about telephone numbers being included. The University Committee shared that students can opt out of sharing their information. The UC also indicated that they want their information in the directory visible so colleagues from across the country and on campus can contact them. They also discussed a financial position they are searching for as well as the status of Open Seat.

The minutes from March 2, 2026, meeting were approved.

The University Committee agreed to resubmit their comments regarding the interim UW System CGER policy.

Stephanie Budge, chair of the LGBTQ+ Committee presented their activities from last year that included recording keeping systems; healthcare coverage, tracking legal and policy changes and creating a more welcoming environment. In addition to their annual report, the committee will also be putting forward two changes to FPP that include adding the word Affairs to the committee’s name and removing the ex officio seat for the chief diversity officer.

Provost John Zumbrunnen reported on the AI readiness initiative that is being co-sponsored by Rob Cramer and John Zumbrunnen. They are looking at what we are currently doing on campus and identifying where there may be gaps.

In regard to the funding for faculty hires to advance diversity of thought and the foundation of free markets. UW-Madison will be pursuing tenure-track hires in Free Market Solutions to Societal Challenges and Foundations of the Western Tradition. Requests to hire will go through the Provost office, and there will be a faculty steering committee that is involved in providing feedback on candidates for the position. The departments will still be in charge of making the hires. 

Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, Vice Chancellor for Research, shared information about a report produced by external consultants. They ended up talking with more than 100 stakeholders. The report has 19 recommendations and will help guide the next steps.

Her first priority is to make sure the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) are providing excellent operational support for the research enterprise. A number of priorities in the report are related to RSP. She would like to hear from stakeholders about what to prioritize and the timeline for implementation. She hopes to reduce administrative burden, improve the research experience, grow and diversify the research portfolio and continue faculty and staff support.

Ideas include structuring leadership positions around mission and programs and include more full-time faculty leadership. She indicated that fall competition funding would not be affected and that her thoughts about the structure are still evolving.

Vice Provost Kent Weigel shared that there were about 51 people online for a meeting about supporting assistant professors. They requested that another memo be sent out about looking at tenure guidelines. Kent and Secretary Daniels shared the results of an ad hoc committee looking at whether there was capacity to have a campus-wide mentor/match program.

The UC looked at the FPP changes proposed by the Committee on Committees and are fine with moving these amendments forward in the fall.

Kendall motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(a)(c) and (f) to discuss grievances at 3:50 pm.

Mathieu motioned, and it was seconded and approved, to reconvene in open session at 4:07 pm.

Jones adjourned the meeting at 4:28 pm.

Minutes submitted by Heather Daniels, secretary of the faculty.