March 3, 2026 – University Committee (UC)-Minutes

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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: C. Bilen-Green, A. Daire, J. Urdan

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 February 24, 2026 meeting were approved.

Special Guests

Provost Andrew Daire

  1. Provost Daire is working on a list of key items to try to finish before he departs UWM on May 1, as well as things that can be completed under an interim provost.  Top priorities include some policies surrounding student success initiatives, such as timely announcement of textbook adoptions.
  2. Academic Affairs is preparing for their presentation to the Education Committee of the Board of Regents at their June meeting.  The focus of the presentation is on UWM’s collaborations with other institutions. 
  3. Academic Affairs is pushing for the development of uniform instructions on how programs and instructors should handle pdf files with regards to Digital Accessibility.

Chairperson’s Report and Announcements

  1. M. Kavanaugh reported that Dean Gronert has asked to augment the Linguistics Department with one member.  (The UC agreed with the request.)
  2. The Zilber College of Public Health has begun the process of closing two graduate programs in biostatistics.    

Members’ Reports

  1. L. McHenry reported that the realignment workgroup discussed the feedback received in the listening group sessions and are starting to discuss how potential models may or may not work. 

New Business

None

Old Business

  1. Interim Workload Policy

The UC met with VP C. Bilen-Green and Chief of Legal Affairs J. Urdan regarding the proposed Interim Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Teaching Responsibilities Policy. 

K. Kirshtner moved to approve the Interim Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Teaching Responsibilities Policy.  The motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote.

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 2:39 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 3:04 p.m.

Future Agenda Items

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

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m.