July 15, 2025-University Staff Senate-Minutes

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Location: Via Teams
Present: J. Almquist, N. Brautigam, E. Cochrane, A. Dempsey-Fischer, P. Dixon, G. Dukes, L. Eastman, S. Fuller Muñiz, P. Geraci, R. Harrison, G. Henion, J. Lessila, K. Morgan, T. Nation, C. Parks, C. Peterson, K. Premeau, M. Renk, L. Ross, S. Ruditys, K. Valerius, M. Vallejo, C. Warneke, L. Wieczorek

Absent: C. Fitzpatrick, R. Wahl, S. Wirka

Guests: Chancellor T. Gibson, S. Genung, J. Reisel

  1. Call to Order-The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
  2. Approval of minutes for June 17, 2025-The minutes were approved as submitted via autoconsent.
  3. Annual Reports were approved via autoconsent for:
    1. University Staff Codification Committee
    2. University Staff Nominations Committee
  4. Chancellor Update-The Senate welcomed new Chancellor Gibson.  He updated the Senate on a few things that the campus is reviewing as he starts his tenure here at UWM.
    1. While the University had welcome news with the approval of the 2025-2027 budget there is still work to be done.  While UW-System has been approved for $256Million in budget how that will be broken down to each of the campuses is still being worked out.  There are some capital projects that will be able to move forward along with much needed repairs.  The pay plan for campus was approved by the legislature but details still need to be finalized by JOCER.  UWM is looking at funding 30% of the pay plan which would be retroactive to July 1, 2025. 
    2. The Board of Regents did approve a tuition increase to help with costs. 
    3. UWM still is facing approximately another 5% in budget cuts even with the funding from the state.  One strategy that campus may consider is a VSIP program.  Details are still being discussed to see if this will be able to be offered as a cost-saving option for UWM.
  5. Chair Update-Chair Dukes welcomed the new chancellor and senators.  Chair Dukes asked for feedback on the new Workday software.  If there is any feedback you wish to share feel free to contact Chair Dukes.
  6. Welcome to new Senators and Introductions- The new senators introduced themselves and were welcomed.
  7. Secretary of the University-John Reisel gave an overview of governance at UWM. 
  8. SENATE/GOVERNANCE Orientation-L. Eastman gave an overview of University Staff governance and committees as UWM.
  9. UWM Email and IT Services-CIO S. Genung came to discuss email and use at UWM.  Previously the Senate wanted to be able to help those that may be facing layoff.  S. Genung will see if there are options for those that will be departing UWM and to discuss as he finds out more.
  10. Committee/Member Reports-There were no member reports.  Committees will be meeting soon to discuss their bylaws and work for the year.
  11. New/Other Business-
    1. C. Parks said there was a request for volunteers for groundwork at UWM.  He wondered if there was a reduction in grounds crew at UWM and that this volunteer opportunity was replacing this work?
    2. There was no more new or other business.
  12. Adjournment-The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m.