September 15, 2025 – Academic Staff Committee (ASC) – Minutes

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Time: Monday at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Lubar N440 and Microsoft Teams

Attendance

Present: R. Edwards, K. Esguerra, A. Follmer, B. Freer, J. Herriges, N. Oswald, A. Schmidt, N. Simonson, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Andrew Daire, John Reisel

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair J. Herriges at 9:01 a.m.

The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes of August 18, 2025 meeting were approved as presented.

Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

Chair’s Report

J. Herriges met with Chancellor Gibson and discussed workload policy and its impact on instructional academic staff and indefinite status and service on campus. Comprehensive compensation guidelines are still in draft form. Sara Luelloff talked with J. Herriges about the Board of Regents awards being suspended for 2025-26.

Guests

  1. Provost Andrew Daire
    Provost Daire gave an enrollment update and discussion about strategies to address declining graduate enrollments took place. Daire talked about the work by Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Dave Clark that includes standardizing advising practices, course scheduling, and scholarship awarding. Making these practices consistent will result in improved student experience and retention. Discussion about holistic approach to advising to enhance a sense of belonging took place.
  2. Secretary of the University J. Reisel is available to help with concerns and questions from the ASC and academic staff. He encouraged the ASC to reach out to colleagues letting them know ASC is a resource and guide and will serve as an advocate for academic staff.

Unfinished Business

  1. Workload Policies for AS – No update.
  2. Non-Instructional AS Review Committee Survey on Indefinite Status – The ASC agreed to share the survey results with the AS Senate in October for discussion (no action). K. Esguerra will present to the Senate. J. Herriges will share the survey results with Chancellor Gibson and Provost Daire.

New Business

  1. 2025-26 AS Senate meetings – R. Edwards moved and N. Simonson seconded holding 2025-26 AS Senate meetings virtually. Motion carried unanimously.
  2. Review and approval of the October 14 AS Senate meeting – Deferred until October 6 ASC meeting.

Reports

  1. N. Oswald reported the Space and Planning Committee will meet in October.
  2. N. Simonson reported the AS Orientation Committee will meet September 19, 2025.
  3. K. Esguerra reported the NIASRC workshop will be held in October (date TBD).
  4. A. Follmer reported the APBC met very briefly last week.
  5. J. Steinheiser reported the ITPC met September 12 and discussed how to secure virtual meetings.

Personnel Matters

None

Good and General Welfare

K. Esguerra raised questions about communicating concerns and issues with Chancellor Gibson and asks that J. Herriges confirm his preferences. ASC requests Dave Clark be invited to the October 6 meeting.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.