Time: Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Lubar N456 and Microsoft Teams
Attendance
Present: Professors M. Kavanaugh, K. Kirshtner, R. Leson, L. McHenry, W. Otieno, G. Rodger, M. Schwartz
Excused: None
Guests: A. Daire, T. Freiburger, J. Jordan, B. Schneider
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by M. Kavanaugh at 1:00 p.m.
Persons Who Wish to be Heard
Professor Jennifer Jordan, Sociology, indicated that many classroom doors do not lock from the inside. Some of her colleagues have received threats from extremists. There have been a few instances of outsiders gaining access to the classroom. Prof. Jordan and some of her students are weary of the situation and request for change, to require that all classrooms should have locks from inside like several universities, among which is UW-Madison.
Professor Kavanaugh indicated that she will bring this matter up when she meets with the Chancellor later in the day.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of September 23, 2025 meeting were approved.
Special Guests
- Provost Andrew Daire reported on the following:
- Work led by Associate Provost Canan on UWM’s workload policy was nearing the end and he looks forward to the updated policy reaching the University Faculty Senate.
- The Act 15 taskforce is still working, and so far there is no indication that UWM faculty workload will be adversely impacted.
- Dave Clark continues reaching out to Deans regarding the UW-System proposed GER changes.
- Priyal Shah, UWM’s South Asia Regional Director (India, Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka), is visiting campus this week and meeting with several campus leaders. 56% of graduate students come from 3 country agents, and his office is in the process of recruiting additional country agents especially in Africa and South America. Small percentage comes from international strategic partners. CEAS has had successes with Taiwan. There is need to not only diversify and add more countries into these strategic partnerships but also broaden the partnerships to involve research and curriculum development.
- The provost continues to have College-wide meetings: ZSPH, CCEP, L&S, SFS and CEAS
- Dean Tina Freiburger, College of Community Engagement and Professions.
The committee went into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
- Ben Schneider, Chair Ombuds Council
Professor Schneider gave a summary of the current membership Ombuds Council, its mandates and its processes which are confidential, informal, independent, and neutral. The council is currently underutilized, and Professor Schneider is working with Mike Peterson to increase awareness of the council within the UWM community. The UC proposed that the Ombuds Council be weaved at the early phases of governance processes that involve conflict resolution. These would include matters that are routed to the FAGC, FRRC, and such processes relating to graduate students.
Secondly, Professor Schneider could request all chairs highlight the Ombuds Council in their departmental handbooks.
Chairperson’s Report and Announcements
- Faculty Reps meeting in UW Madison, which took place a week ago, was incredibly informative. Other systems universities are also grappling with the impact of Act 15.
- The UC Chair received an email from Associate Provost Ali Abidi indicating that Santa Catarina Ixtepiji Council in Mexico has asked UWM to repatriate a scroll that is part of the library resource. A committee should be formed in pursuant to UW System Administrative Policy 335: Deaccessioning of Works of Art and Historical Treasures. It is of essence that the Chair of the Committee be an Art Historian.
The UC recommend three faculty who could be requested to Chair the committee. In addition, two other professors from public history, sociology, anthropology or world languages could be asked to join the committee. A larger question was raised: Can there be a policy in UWM regarding such need for repatriation?
The committee went into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
Members’ Reports
None
New Business
None
Old Business
None
Personnel Matters
Per Wis. Stats 19.85(1)(f), it was moved and seconded to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Upon voice vote, closed session began at 1:30 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 2:05 p.m.
Per Wis. Stats 19.85(1)(f), it was moved and seconded to go into closed session to discuss personnel matters. Upon voice vote, closed session began at 2:55 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 3:08 p.m.
Future Agenda Items
The next scheduled UC meeting is October 21 at 1:00 pm. Chancellor Gibson is scheduled to attend.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m.