April 14, 2026 – Academic Staff Senate – Minutes

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Time: Tuesday at 2:30 pm
Location: Microsoft Teams

Attendance

Present: M. Archer, R. Calkins, C. Cho, J. Court, C. Driscoll, R. Edwards, C. Fleider, B. Freer, J. Herriges, C. Hayes, J. Johnson, T. Joosten, K. Korinek, S. Luelloff, A. Meddaugh, L. McGovern, B. Mueller, N. Oswald, M. Priem, J. Rotier, A. Schmidt, K. Scholz, N. Simonson, A. Singer, A. Stoddard, S. Surach, B. Trager, K. O’Connell Valuch, D. Van Kerkvoorde, E. Zahasky
Absent: M. Rausch Camacho, K. Esguerra, B. Hinshaw, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Kathryn Amato, Andrew Daire, Makda Fessahaye, Renee Joos, Thomas Gibson, Jodie Tabak, Joely Urdan

Call to Order

Chair J. Herriges called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

  1. Minutes of March 10, 2026 meeting approved as distributed.

Chair’s Report

J. Herriges reported on the following items: Academic Staff Committee (ASC) met on March 16 and had special meeting on March 30 to review Lubar College of Business’ AS workload upon request. ASC also met on April 6 with regular guests Chancellor Gibson and AVC for HR Makda Fessahaye. The ASC discussed the role of academic staff governance in making decisions such as the creation of the new cultural and identity student centers and how to make sure governance is involved in decision-making process. ASC also Nominated academic staff to serve on Search and Screen Committee for Dean of the College of Letters & Science and is in the process of reviewing The Academic Staff Appointment Types and Contract Term Comparisons to Peer Institutions report submitted by NIAS and IRAS Subcommittees. The findings from the report will be shared with AS Senate at a future meeting. J. Herriges attended the Faculty Senate and the University Committee meetings and gave a report on our activities. She participated in the in the interviews with finalists for the Interim Provost & VC of Academic Affairs and is currently participating in the interviews with finalists for Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications. J. Herriges met with Provost Daire and Chancellor Gibson.

Guests

  1. Chancellor T. Gibson
    Chancellor T. Gibson reported UWM earned gold status for its efforts to serve and welcome students who are veterans or currently serving in the military. The University was also recognized for being exceptionally welcoming and supportive of military spouses. Chris Patton was named acting executive-in-charge after Jay Rothman was dismissed by the Board of Regents on April 7th. He will serve until and interim president is appointed. Tina Freiburger was appointed as interim provost and will assume role on May 1st. The search for the permanent provost will launch in fall 2026. The open forums by finalists for Vice Chancellor for MarComm wrap up today and Gibson expects to make a decision by late next week. Gibson continues to visit colleges/schools and facilities across campus. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kelly Haag and Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success Kay Eilers were guests on the Chancellor’s podcast speaking about student life outside of campus and how UWM supports the student journey. Gibson will attend the First Look forum, held annually, which highlights UWM technologies to an audience of investors and entrepreneurs and has traditionally focused on faculty-based innovations and patented technologies that may be launched as faculty startup companies. Studies show that retention and graduation rates are much higher for students who participate in research. Gibson provided an update on the Identity Centers, noting next steps will be shared in the coming weeks. Alberto Maldonado has been named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Connection and Achievement. Gibson spoke about using Co-Pilot and increasing AI skills through accessing the Universities of Wisconsin trainings.
  2. Provost A. Daire
    Provost A. Daire expects an announcement will be made on the Interim Dean of the College of Letters & Science on April 20th and stated the search committee for the permanent position is forming while they interview search firms. Two finalists for the Director of the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research were interviewed and a decision is expected next week. Daire reported approximately 1,900 lecturer and seminar sessions still have no textbook adoptions for fall semester. Provost Daire expressed his appreciation for the hard work of academic staff and acknowledged both challenges and opportunities at UWM. This will be his final AS Senate meeting and asked to read a paragraph from his 2022 application letter, highlighting his support for staff.
  3. Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) M. Fessahaye and Total Rewards Director R. Joos
    AVC Fessahaye shared deadlines for compliance-related activities. Activities must be completed by deadlines to remain eligible for the July 2026 pay plan. Annual Outside Activities Reporting is due April 30, 2026; Annual Performance Evaluation for faculty and instructional academic staff must be completed by April 30, 2026. Details for Non-Instructional Academic Staff, University Staff, and Limited Appointees will be communicated later. The deadline to complete mandatory trainings was extended to April 30th. No further extensions will be granted. UWs has launched a new program for 9- and 10-month employees to select a year-round income within their own payment elections. The program, called “Your Pay. Your Plan”, offers guidance for splitting personal banking accounts to create a twelve-month payment strategy. Eligible employees received communication of this program on April 6, 2026. M. Fesshaye gave update on current professional development opportunities. R. Joos shared upcoming health and wellness initiatives.

 New Business

  1. Approve policy revisions regarding non-retaliation provisions to SAAPs 05-02 (Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment), 07-03 (Faculty/Staff Code of Conduct), and 14-05 (Research Misconduct). Chief Legal Counsel J. Urdan presented background on revisions. R. Edwards moved and A. Stoddard seconded approving changes to SAAPs 05-02. Motion carried unanimously. K. Korinek moved and C. Cho seconded approving revisions to SAAPs 07-03 and 14-05. Motion passed unanimously.
  2. Approve Policy Revisions to SAAP 08-02: Fiscal Misconduct. Compliance and Ethics Officer K. Amato presented background and summary of revisions. A. Stoddard moved and N. Oswald seconded approving the revised SAAP 08-02. Motion passed unanimously.
  3. Policy SAAP 11-03: Social Media Usage Representing UWM presented by Interim Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications J. Tabak. Several AS Senators shared feedback including the definition of “personal account” is overly broad and a gray area exists between it and the definition of a “professional account” which may result in personal accounts being classified (at least definitionally) as professional accounts. Employees often post about professional activities that they take part in on their personal social media accounts and may be viewed as posting in their professional capacity. The term “in a professional capacity,” may have a different technical/legal meaning, but it is not one that is clear to most readers.  If those employees fear that their personal accounts may be considered professional accounts, that could stifle their use of social media platforms and limit their engagement, which could have a negative impact on UWM’s relationship with the public, potential donors, research partners, and future students. It was suggested to revise the definitions related to official social media accounts to only include definitions and remove the language that are directives. Question was asked why SAAP 11-03 is separate from SAAP 11-01, electronic publication of information, and the existing web communications policy. No vote was taken and J. Tabak will take the feedback to Legal for possible revisions and return to AS Senate for a vote.

Unfinished Business

  1. None.

Committee Reports

  1. Committees
    Sara Luelloff, Chair, AS Awards Committee, shared the new peer recognition program called “Panther Praise” that will be launched in late April.
    Stephanie Surach, Chair of AS Orientation Committee, reported the recording and slides from the April 9th Orientation Session will be posted soon.
    R. Edwards provided an update on the activities of the Libraries Committee.
    Elizabeth Jastrab, Chair of the AS Codification Committee, shared the Committee has not met since February.
  2. Subcommittees
    None.

General Good and Welfare

T. Howard gave a reminder about the Academic Staff Committee and Nominations Committee elections and noted the final election results will be available on April 27th.
B. Freer shared details about a UWs initiative among non-profits, DPI, DWD and other institutions that are looking at the landscape of universities and student basic needs.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m.