February 3, 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: A. Daire, D. Knab

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by M. Kavanaugh at 1:00 p.m.

Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the January 27, 2026 meeting were approved.

Special Guests

Provost Andrew Daire

  1. Today, EAB hosted a workshop for campus leadership today on aligning resources with university priorities.
  2. The determination of which fields qualify as high-demand fields is established by the legislature and System.  (This does not reflect how the UWM administration views the value of other disciplines.)  The System is asking detailed questions about individual decisions on recommendations for faculty salary adjustments.  The raises should be made available in March.
  3. There is a draft of the interim UWM teaching load policy that is being reviewed in Academic Affairs.  It is expected to come to the UC and ASC in the next couple of weeks.
  4. There is more effort being devoted towards retention of students, as improving retention is a necessity for the financial health of UWM.  Work is being done to establish college retention targets designed to allow the campus to hit a 76% first-year retention rate.      

Associate Vice Chancellor Drew Knab

  1. Faculty are involved in the budget process primarily through the APBC.  Enrollment and revenue projections are shared with the APBC and deans for feedback.  The size of the contribution rate from units to central activities is then determined, again with input from the APBC and deans.  For this upcoming year, increases in the campus contingency fund, increases for both MarComm and Advancement, and upgrading the campus network infrastructure have been priorities. 
  2. The UC discussed the contribution rate, the budget model, and other budget issues with D. Knab.

Chairperson’s Report and Announcements

  1. The most recent UW System Reps meeting took place last Friday.  The copyright policy was discussed, with concerns over course items being placed on Canvas and where the ownership rights would subsequently lie.  The Digital Accessibility activities of the different campuses were discussed.  There were also discussions of potential ICE activities on campus.  UW-River Falls is being impacted by the Minneapolis ICE activities.
  2. The campus portion of the pay adjustment for high-impact disciplines process has been completed, with the information now being processed at the System level.

Members’ Reports

  1. G. Rodger reported that there was an APBC meeting.
  2. L. McHenry reported that there was a Realignment Group meeting, but little progress was made.

New Business

None  

Old Business

None

Personnel Matters

None

Future Agenda Items

The next scheduled UC meeting is February 10 at 1:00 pm.  Chancellor Gibson is expected to attend.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.