UC Approved Minutes for January 22, 2018          Approved February 5, 2018

UC members present: Bowers, Litovsky, Ventura, Wanner (chair)

UC members absent: Amasino, Warfield

Others present: S. Smith, J. Richard, M. Felber, J. O’Meara, J. Smith, H. Daniels, Carrie from Communications, G. Bump, M. Aust

Chair Anja Wanner called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. The minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2018, were approved as amended. Jack O’Meara provided an update on the federal budget (government currently shut down; deal expected imminently), state level matters (pay plan, which PROFS will encourage JCER to approve, and pending bills), and a WisPolitics event about the future of nuclear energy (in which faculty member Paul Wilson participated). Michelle Felber reported on upcoming and potential panels on public higher education and WRS. Ample discussion followed. 

Casey Nagy provided an update on the Extension-Madison merger. Advisory committee on shared governance is now populated. Nagy reported on UW System team’s latest meeting with President Cross, which again concentrated almost wholly on Colleges. Nagy laid out prospective timeline that he anticipates at this point, including at least the possibility of some complete transitions (auxiliary services, IT, potentially) by July 1. Bigger question is what status will be of things that do not transition on July 1. Current plan is to be able to lay out framework of these items by mid-Feb/early March, followed by 4-6 weeks of development of strategic plans to work through issues identified. Ample discussion.

The University Committee reviewed and revised a draft agenda for the February Faculty Senate meeting. The UC also discussed at length the topic of Academic Staff members serving as graduate student advisors. All agreed that protecting graduate students and making sure they get the best mentoring and guidance possible is the goal. The Secretary of the Faculty will gather information about extant departmental rules on requirements and qualifications for graduate student advisors, regardless of employment category, and also confer with the Graduate School.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank had planned to talk about the government shutdown, but that appeared to be ending as she arrived in the UC conference room. Thus, Blank and the UC focused on the recently announced pay plan details (especially the across-the-board nature). They also discussed the upcoming Madison-hosted BoR meeting, which will include talk on why the state should care if it has a 1st-rate research and education institution and an event at the new makers’ space in Wendt. Blank reported on a Foundation retreat, and several other events. Discussion about campus sustainability plan, retention, and grad student stipends.

Ruth Litovsky 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 2:55 p.m. The UC considered and unanimously approved one dual role waiver request and one tenure clock extension. Barb Bowers moved to reconvene in open session to adjourn. The motion was seconded and passed at 3:03 p.m. As the clock ticked over to 3:04 p.m., Wanner adjourned the meeting.