Time: 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: T. Gibson
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by M. Kavanaugh at 1:03 p.m.
Persons Who Wish to be Heard
None
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of October 28, 2025 and November 4, 2025 meetings were approved.
Special Guest
Chancellor Thomas Gibson
- Chancellor Gibson updated the UC on the following items. (a) The UWM Food Pantry has seen a 41% growth in usage over the last two months. A fund drive was held last week, with the Chancellor’s $1,000 matching challenge being met within 5 minutes, and about $18,000 was raised by the end of the first day. (b) He attended his first UWM Men’s Basketball game last week, and hosted a pre-game rally before the game to try to drive increased student attendance. (c) In the next few years, there will be decisions on the future of the UWM Panther Arena. (d) The Vice Provost for Research position is being changed to the Vice Chancellor for Research, with an accompanying change in reporting functions. (e) The proposed UW System workload policy was discussed. (f) The comment period for the System GER proposed policy closes next week. The UC shared their concerns about the policy development process as well as the policy itself. (g) On this month’s Chancellor’s radio broadcast/podcast, the Chancellor discussed AI on campus and how AI is impacting small and midsize companies.
- M. Kavanaugh asked if there were additional ways that the UC could be helpful to the Chancellor. Chancellor Gibson would like to be able to keep using the UC as a sounding board for ideas and insights on how to work with the UWM and Milwaukee communities.
Chairperson’s Report and Announcements
- M. Kavanaugh met with Provost Daire, who reviewed the need for strong international partnerships for attracting students. Provost Daire also discussed the likelihood of difficult decisions for the Zilber College of Public Health in the future. Provost Daire has been continuing to visit the individual colleges to provide Academic Affairs updates directly to faculty and staff.
- All of the other UW System campuses have passed resolutions against the GER policy being implemented by the System.
Members’ Reports
- G. Rodger reported that the Rules Committee met to set the agenda for the November 20 Faculty Senate meeting. The Rules Committee also decided to make the Senate meetings in-person only starting in January.
- L. McHenry reported that the UWM Realignment Committee received their charge. They are to consider the organization of School of Freshwater Sciences, CEAS, and the Natural Science departments in L&S.
New Business
- VC for Marketing and Communications Search and Screen Committee
The UC identified 4 names of faculty to nominate for service on the S&S Committee.
Old Business
- GER Statement
M. Kavanaugh presented the GER statement to the UC. The UC approved the document by consensus and will send it to the Faculty Senate for their consideration at next week’s Faculty Senate meeting.
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 2:48 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 2:59 p.m.
Future Agenda Items
The next scheduled UC meeting is November 25 at 1:00 pm. ASC Chair Herriges is scheduled to attend.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.