March 2, 2026 – Academic Staff Committee (ASC) – Minutes

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

Attendance

Present: R. Edwards, B. Freer, J. Herriges, N. Oswald, A. Schmidt, N. Simonson, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Canan Bilen-Green, Andrew Daire, Makda Fessahaye, Mike Schmit, Joely Urdan

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair J. Herriges at 9:00 a.m.

The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes of February 16, 2026 meeting were approved as presented.

III. Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

IV. Chair’s Report

J. Herriges reported she met with Chancellor Gibson and shared the ASC’s disappointment with his reduced visits to ASC and AS Senate expected to begin in fall 2026. He will reconsider the schedule but noted his calendar is overflowing with appointments as he continues to meet with not only campus constituents but external partners. She discussed ASC’s desire to be more interactive during his visits with the ASC. A presentation on AI readiness was presented at the last Chancellor’s Cabinet meeting. Herriges met with the University Committee to provide report on ASC’s recent discussions and attended a listening session for the Provost’s Realignment Working Group.

V. Guests

  1. Chancellor Thomas Gibson
    Chancellor Gibson noted he is changing how he engages with the ASC and will seek more input and be more interactive. He provided update on the Panther Arena and the report that acknowledges the value of the property while also recognizes the large amount of money needed for required upgrades to the building. Gibson shared details of the collaboration and partnerships within the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute. Gibson attended the recent UWM Alumni Awards event and was impressed with the two award recipients. He invited them plus Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Joan Nesbitt to his radio show which will air on March 5th. Gibson presented on the reimagining of the student identity centers which will be designed to maximize student success. He has asked Kelly Haag and Chia Vang to slow the process to invite more student and staff feedback. Gibson shared a new initiative he is working on called UWM Momentum that will involve a smaller group of action-oriented leaders to take action on initiatives in a more efficient manner. N. Oswald moved and N. Simonson seconded moving into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85 (1) c and f to discuss personnel matters including the order of layoffs of academic staff. Motion passed with unanimous vote and closed session began at 9:25 a.m. After discussion about exceptions to the layoff order, B. Freer moved and R. Edwards seconded reconvening in open session. Motion passed unanimously and the committee reconvened in open session at 9:37 a.m.
  2. Associate Vice Chancellor M. Fessahaye
    AVC Fessahaye reported that a message was sent to campus on February 27th regarding performance evaluations, mandatory trainings, and outside activities reporting. Discussion about the importance of clear communication to instructional academic staff about performance evaluations and that they are not submitting documents through Workday. Confusion surrounding research academic staff not being combined with instructional academic staff as has historically occurred took place.
  3. Vice Provost C. Bilen-Green and Chief Legal Counsel J. Urdan presented on the Interim Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Teaching Responsibilities Policy. UWM’s Policy is based on the UW System Interim Policy and must implement the Policy by Fall 2026. Given the statutory requirements and resulting Board of Regent and UW System Administration policies, requirements, definitions, or bases for teaching workload adjustments cannot be changed dramatically. UWM’s Policy is similar to the system policy as a result. There will be additional governance consultation within the colleges as they establish the necessary teaching equivalency policies and must be adopted by May 1st. Minimum teaching requirement for R1 institution is 12 credits. Deans must approve all course adjustments. Campus must have documentation to meet compliance requirements. N. Oswald moved and B. Freer seconded approving the Interim Policy on Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Workload Policy. Motion passed unanimously.
  4. M. Schmit, PAC member, presented on the process of policies being reviewed by PAC and asked for guidance on meeting the expectations of the ASC. ASC asked that policies with proposed editorial changes be placed under auto consent and new policies or proposed substantial changes be sent to the ASC for review before placing on the AS Senate agenda for presentation.

VI. Unfinished Business

  1. Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures (ASPPP) Chapter 105 Performance Management – Update from T. Howard about the changes to the policy proposed by AS Codification Committee. N. Oswald moved and B. Freer seconded approving Chapter 105.03 with proposed revisions including the additional edit to move “Research” from under Instructional Academic Staff to under Non-Instructional Academic Staff information and timeline, and forwarding to AS Senate for consideration. Motion passed unanimously.

VII. New Business

  1. Approve AS Senate Agenda (March 10) – After review, N. Simonson moved and A. Schmidt seconded approving the March 10th AS Senate agenda with the addition of revisions to ASPPP Chapter 105. Motion passed unanimously.
  2. ASC Appointment to Honorary Degrees Committee – ASC reviewed the list of eligible individuals from the preference form. N. Oswald moved and R. Edwards seconded appointing A. Schmidt to the Honorary Degrees Committee. Motion passed unanimously.

VIII. Reports

  1. R. Edwards reported that Realignment workgroup is continuing to meet and updated on next steps. Final recommendations will be complete by end of March 2026.
  2. N. Simonson reported that AS Orientation Committee scheduled a presentation for April 9th at 1 pm on Teams.
  3. T. Joosten gave a summary of the topics discussed at the latest Academic Planning and Budget Committee (APBC).

IX. Personnel Matters

See Chancellor Gibson’s report under Guests A.

X. Good and General Welfare

B. Freer encouraged all to attend a design input session for the new Comprehensive Student Center to provide feedback.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.