Academic Policy Committee – Annual Report – 2025-2026

Members:

Name	Rank	Department	Div	E/A	Term Ends	Email
Colleen Galambos	FAC	Social Work	PR	E	2028	galamboc@uwm.edu
Tiffany Nation	US	Graduate School	–	A	2028	tmnation@uwm.edu
Ai Bo	FAC	Social Work	PR	E	2027	aibo@uwm.edu
Nathan Salowitz **	FAC	Mechanical Engineering	NS	E	2027	salowitz@uwm.edu
Alexa Anderson	FAC	Nursing	PR	E	2026	andersoa@uwm.edu
Sarah Blackowski	FAC	Civil and Environment Engineering	PR	E	2026	blackows@uwm.edu
Julie Ellis, Chair	FAC	Nursing	PR	E	2026	jellis@uwm.edu
Kelsi Faust 1	AS	Zilber College of Public Health	–	A	2026	meyer378@uwm.edu
Christopher Quinn 2	FAC	Biological Sciences	NS	E	2026	quinnc@uwm.edu
Kristin Hildebrandt	Registrar	Registrar’s Office	–	A	2026	hildebra@uwm.edu
Nathan Salowitz **	FAC	Mechanical Engineering (APCC Rep)	NS	A	2026	salowitz@uwm.edu
Itziar Lazkano	FAC	Economics (GFC Rep)	SS	A	2026	lazkano@uwm.edu
Bryan Porter	Dean	Graduate School	x-o	o	2026	porterb@uwm.edu
Jake Azinger	AS	Secretary of the University’s Office	x-o	o	2026	tazinger@uwm.edu
< >	Student	SA	–	A	2025
< >	Student	Graduate Student (GFC)	–	A	2025
< >	Student	UG	–	A	2025

Charter:

A1.1 – Academic Policy Committee

The Academic Policy Committee studies and makes recommendations to the Administration, the University Faculty or the Faculty Senate, or other appropriate faculty committees concerning academic policy.

1. Membership. The committee is composed of the following members:
   1. Seven elected Faculty members, not more than three of whom shall be from a single college;
   2. One University Staff member appointed by the University Staff Committee;
   3. Three students including at least one graduate student and one undergraduate student appointed annually by the Student Association;
   4. one academic advisor appointed by the Chancellor upon recommendation by the Academic Staff Committee;
   5. the Chair of the Academic Program and Curriculum Committee or designee;
   6. the Chair of the Graduate Faculty Committee or designee;
   7. the Registrar or designee;
   8. Two ex-officio and non-voting members, as follows:
      1. One Dean appointed annually on a rotating basis by the Chancellor;
      2. the Secretary of the University or designee.
2. Functions.
   1. On its own initiative and/or in cooperation with other Faculty committees, represents student interests and concerns in problems of educational policy which are within the purview of the University Faculty. Educational policy includes but is not limited to the grading system, add/drop policy, and the academic year calendar. (Matters of academic program and curriculum are within the jurisdiction of the Academic Program and Curriculum Committee.)
   2. Makes recommendations to UWM Administration, the University Faculty or the Faculty Senate, or other appropriate Faculty committees concerning academic policy. The committee may arrange for public fora and referenda among students on matters which the committee is studying.
   3. Maintains liaison with the UWM Administration and the faculties of the colleges on matters of educational policy which are within the jurisdiction of these colleges for the purpose of consulting on matters brought to the attention of the committee; and for the further purpose of proposing possible uniform standards in these matters. For the latter purpose, the committee may consult with individual representatives of the colleges.
   4. Consults with the colleges, schools, and departments, their executives, and relevant committees, about problems of educational policy brought to the attention of the committee. In these matters, the committee shall maintain close liaison with the Academic Program and Curriculum Committee, the Graduate Faculty Committee, and the University Committee.

Meetings:

Committee End-of-Year Report

2025–2026 Academic Year

The committee met virtually on September 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eleven committee members and Jake Azinger were present. Julie Ellis served as chair. David Clark, Provost for Academic Affairs, attended as a guest, along with A. Raddant and B. Gautsch. Provost Clark and B. Gautsch presented several proposed policy changes for the committee’s consideration.

Following discussion, the committee considered four policy motions. The Assignment Policy was approved unanimously. All members initially opposed the Gradebook Policy, with one abstention. The Course Policy and Office Hours Policy were each approved unanimously.

The committee met again virtually on October 20, 2025. At this meeting, the committee amended, voted on, and approved the Gradebook Policy. The committee also reviewed and approved the 2028–2029 Academic Calendar.

The committee’s final meeting of the academic year was held virtually on June 11, 2026. During this meeting, the committee unanimously approved Nathan Salowitz as the new chair.

Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, the committee considered and acted upon policy changes recommended by the Provost for Academic Affairs. The committee ultimately recommended acceptance of three of the four proposed policies as initially presented. The committee initially opposed the Gradebook Policy, but it was later revised and brought back for consideration. Following the revisions, the committee voted to approve the policy.

Overall, the committee engaged thoughtfully and collaboratively in reviewing proposed academic policies and calendar matters, providing careful consideration and recommendations throughout the year.