January 27, 2026 – University Committee (UC)-Minutes

Posted on:

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: D. Clark

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 the December 16, 2025 meeting were approved.

Special Guests

Vice Provost Dave Clark

  1. The Student Health and Wellness Center has asked if our policy can be adjusted so that health excused absences for students would only be issued for absences extending for multiple days and not for single-day absences.  This would also impact what instructors can require for students to provide.  The UC agreed that D. Clark should work on drafting such a policy.
  2. The UC discussed the proposed revisions to the Academic Approval Matrix with D. Clark. 

Chairperson’s Report and Announcements

  1. M. Kavanaugh reported she met with the Chancellor and discussed the campus climate in light of the ICE activities in Minnesota.
  2. There is an on-going discussion about the interim SAAP creation process.  M. Kavanaugh expressed concerns with the proposed revisions, and these concerns were well-received by campus administrators.
  3. There have been various resignations from committees, and M. Kavanaugh has been working on filling the vacancies.
  4. M. Kavanaugh met with Provost Daire and discussed campus budget transparency issues. 
  5. The UW System has issued the faculty workload policy, and there were no surprises with the policy.  UWM will now work to implement the policy locally.
  6. M. Kavanaugh brought the concerns of the UC regarding the lack of financial recognition for faculty in fields that aren’t considered high-demand by the UW System.

Members’ Reports

  1. G. Rodger reported that the Rules Committee met to set the agenda for the January 29 University Faculty / Faculty Senate meeting.
  2. K. Kirshtner reported that the PAC considered changes to SAAP 8-2 Fiscal Misconduct, but returned the SAAP to the responsible party seeking clarifications and revisions.
  3. L. McHenry reported that the realignment workgroup has met several times, and has started to discuss possible models. 

New Business

               The UC considered an issue in closed session.

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 2:24 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 2:39 p.m.

Future Agenda Items

The next scheduled UC meeting is February 3 at 1:00 pm.  Provost Daire is expected to attend.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.