November 17, 2025 – Academic Staff Committee – Minutes

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

Attendance

Present: R. Edwards, K. Esguerra, B. Freer, J. Herriges, N. Oswald, A. Schmidt, N. Simonson, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Melinda Kavanaugh

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 November 11, 2025 meeting were approved as presented.

Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

Chair’s Report

J. Herriges did not meet with Chancellor or Provost since last meeting. She provided ASC’s feedback on the workload policy to Kathryn Amato. J. Herriges attended the November 4th AS Orientation session and the CCI training on November 10th. A meeting will be scheduled in December for governance leaders to meet with the provost about budget.

Guests

  1. University Committee Chair M. Kavanaugh
    The UC has been discussing the following issues/topics: 1. Workload policy and Act 15. They are advocating for faculty and instructional academic staff. 2. GER continues to be a big concern because Act 15 will likely bring about changes to the GER “buckets.” The UC will present a statement at the Faculty Senate about the proposed revisions to Regent Policy Document 20-25, “Teaching Workload Policy” and the new Regent Policy Document, “Core General Education Requirements. 3. Continuing concerns surrounding classrooms that don’t lock. 4. M. Kavanaugh shared concerns about student mental health and high stress levels and discussion about instituting a mid fall break took place. The ASC supports giving a mini break near mid semester. M. Kavanaugh expressed that she wants to strengthen partnerships with academic staff governance groups.

Unfinished Business

  1. Workload Policies for AS – J. Herriges shared ASC’s feedback. B. Freer shared the discussion about workload that took place at the UWs Shared Governance Council meeting. She noted questions about split appointments still exist.
  2. Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapter 105 Performance Management. K. Esguerra reached out to Elise Bechly Schubert, HR, about timelines in the current policy and has not received a response. She will follow up this week.

New Business

  1. Academic Staff Senate Agenda – N. Oswald suggested inviting Melissa Spadanuda, Campus Space Planning, to give a report at the December 9 Senate meeting and if not available, K. Esguerra suggested inviting Vice Chancellor for Research Ali Abedi. R. Edwards moved and K. Esguerra seconded approving the agenda with addition of a guest. Motion carried unanimously.
  2. ASC Recommendations for Replacement on the Libraries Committee – After reviewing the preference form data, A. Schmidt moved and N. Oswald seconded to recommend Rick Edwards, Cynthia Marifke and Nita McDaniel to the chancellor. Motion carried with a vote of 7-0-1 (Edwards abstaining).

Reports

  1. N. Oswald reported the Campus Space Committee met and reported demolition of the old Chemistry building will begin in December; Mitchell Hall doors will be put back on in December; work on Maryland bridge will begin in spring/summer 2026; construction on Hartford Avenue will begin on November 19 with expected completion by December 11; and work on the NWQ is set to begin.
  2. R. Edwards reported the Realignment 2.0 Workgroup was charged by Provost Daire last week. They will submit recommendations on realigning the School of Freshwater Sciences, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences and Natural Sciences departments in the College of Letters & Science in March 2026. The recommendations are to be budget neutral.
  3. K. Esguerra reported the NIASRC canceled the last meeting and will cancel this week due to lack of business. She noted she will present at the “How Can I Be Of Service” workshop on November 19 to give information about preparing for indefinite status.
  4. B. Freer attended a Basic Needs convening on November 14 where two UWM students spoke about meeting students basic needs.

Personnel Matters

None.

Good and General Welfare

K. Esguerra shared that Provost Daire is a finalist for provost at another institution.
T. Howard asked ASC to encourage colleagues to complete the AS Preference Form before the December 1st deadline.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.