May 14, 2026 – Faculty Senate Meeting – Minutes

Time: Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Curtin 175

I. Call to Order

Chancellor Thomas Gibson called the Faculty Meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.

II. Comments and Questions

a. Chancellor’s Report

The Chancellor thanked faculty for their dedication to student success and highlighted the impact instructors have through teaching, mentorship, flexibility, and support. He announced the appointment of John Drevs as Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications and recognized recent student achievements and scholarship growth across the university.

He also shared updates on campus visits, ongoing construction and renovation projects, and recent national rankings for several graduate programs. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of research to student success and community engagement, invited faculty and staff to attend Sunday’s commencement ceremonies and the upcoming Board of Regents meeting, and encouraged participation in showcasing UWM’s work and accomplishments.

Senator John Boyland asked about faculty ticket requirements for commencement ceremonies. Secretary of the University John Reisel clarified that tickets are required for those wishing to sit in the stands, while faculty participating in hooding ceremonies or representing departments on the floor do not need tickets.

b. Provost’s Report

Interim Provost Tina Freiberger introduced herself to the Faculty Senate and reflected on her longstanding service at UWM, including prior shared governance and leadership roles. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting student success, strengthening academic units, and advancing UWM’s mission through collaboration and shared governance.

She also acknowledged the broader challenges facing higher education, including political pressures, changing public perceptions, and rapid technological change, while emphasizing the university’s strengths in academic programs, research, and community impact. She stated her commitment to transparency, collaboration, student success, and maintaining UWM’s strong research mission as an R1 institution.

c. University Committee Report: Melinda Kavanaugh, Chair

Report will be posted upon receipt.

d. Academic Planning & Budget Committee Report: Derek Counts and Jarett Wilcoxen, Co-Chairs

Since the last Faculty Senate, the APBC has convened once. At our May 7th meeting we discussed the activities over the past year and elected Jarett Wilcoxen (Chemistry) and Miren Boehm (Philosophy) as Co-Chairs for the 26-27 academic year.

Co-Chairs Counts and Wilcoxen met with the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administrative Affairs Robin Van Harpen and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Business and Financial Services Drew Knab to get a debrief on the previous budget cycle, in addition to an update on the FY27 budget and preparations for the FY28 budget cycle.  We also discussed a variety of topics surrounding research support on campus, including a summer working group on this topic, which we have been invited to join.

As UWM continues to navigate its financial stability, we encourage all faculty to stay informed and engage where possible in discussions surrounding UWM’s budget, campus funding priorities, policy decisions, and strategic initiatives.  

e. Academic Staff Committee Report: Jennifer Herriges, Chair

Academic Staff Committee-ASC

Met on April 20 and May 4

Our guests were:

• Provost Andrew Daire,
• University Staff Committee Chair Anna Dempsey-Fischer,
• AVC Makda Fessahaye,
• Chief Legal Counsel Joely Urdan,
• Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Canan Bilen-Green and
• Deputy Chief HR Officer Elise Bechly Schubert

Each guest gave updates and discussed questions.            

The ASC continued the discussion of the new cultural and identity student centers.

ASC discussed how to make sure governance is involved in decision-making process.

ASC Reviewed and had a lot of discussion concerning:

• Revised SAAP 11-03: Social Media Usage Representing UWM
• Proposed Revisions to Instructional Academic Staff Workload Policy

ASC also Nominated next year’s chair and Vice chair to be voted on at our Senate meeting May 12.

ASC continues to review Academic Staff Appointment Types and Contract Term Comparisons to Peer Institutions Report submitted by NIAS and IRAS Subcommittees – this is continuing in our next meeting

AS Senate

Our Senate met on May 12, 2026

Our guests were:

• Chancellor Gibson,
• Interim Provost Freiburger,
• Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, Makda Fessahaye and Total Rewards Director Renee Joos
• President, Student Association, Jeremi Lukos
• Interim Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Jodie Tabak

We approved approved SAAP 11-03: Social Media Usage Representing UWM

We Elected our ASC/AS senate chair for Fiscal Year 2026-27 –

• Our chair will be Nicole Oswald.
• Our Vice chair will be Anna Schmidt

I attended the University Committee May 28 and gave a report on our activities

• Mostly concerning our review of Perr institution contract types and terms.

f. Admissions & Records Policy Committee Report: Abigail Phillips, Chair

Report will be posted upon receipt.

g. University Staff Committee (USC): Anna Dempsey-Fischer, Chair

h.    Student Association Report: Sierra Lee, President Elect

I’ve sat in this room with you before not just today, but consistently as a student, as an At-Large Student Senator, and now as your Student Body President. So no, this isn’t my first time listening to these conversations. It’s my first time leading one. And I want to begin with this. I have deep respect for the work that each of you does. I understand the weight, the responsibility, and the influence that comes with shaping this institution. But I also bring something into this space that cannot be replicated by reports, dashboards, or data points alone the lived, unfiltered, real-time experiences of students.

We talk about student success. We talk about retention. We talk about outcomes. But today, I want us to sit with a question, and not rush past it: What actually shapes those outcomes? Because it’s not just systems. It’s not just services. It’s people. And more specifically it’s professors. Professors don’t just deliver curriculum. They shape confidence. They influence belonging. They determine, sometimes without even realizing it, whether a student leans in… or mentally checks out. They can be the reason a student finds their voice or the reason they start to question if they even belong in the room.

So if retention is truly a priority, and I know it is then we have to be honest enough to say:  Faculty experience is student experience. Now let’s make this real because I believe in being direct. And I want honesty. How many of you are familiar with Rate My Professor? …and let’s go one step further; how many of you have looked yourselves up? I’ll go first. I have. And I’m not alone. Students are on it every single semester; reading, writing, comparing, sharing. They’re highlighting the professors who pour into them. And yes, they’re also warning each other about the ones who don’t.

Now whether we agree with that platform or not that’s not really the point. It exists. And when students feel like their voices aren’t fully heard through formal channels they will create their own. Every time.

So the question isn’t: Do we like it? The question is: Are we listening? Because retention isn’t just about getting students in the door. It’s about what happens after they sit down in your classroom. Do they feel supported? Do they feel respected? Do they feel like they belong? Because when the answer is no: they leave. And when they leave that’s not just a student decision. That’s an institutional outcome.

And as we look ahead, I want to be intentional and I want to be clear: Over the summer, as you all reshape and restructure your courses, I challenge you to actively engage with student evaluations, course evaluations and lived experiences whether that means rethinking your teaching styles, adjusting your grading curves, or reaching out to support your colleagues, your peers, your friends who are professors, to do the same. Because this is not about individual critique. This is about collective growth. This is about saying: if we expect students to evolve then we must also be willing to do the same.

As I continue my presidency, my priorities remain grounded and unwavering:

• Protecting our multicultural and case centers
• Strengthening campus safety, including SA, ICE, and violence prevention
• Advocating for tuition transparency and affordability
• ·Expanding mental health and suicide prevention resources

And yes. all of that matters deeply. But alongside those priorities, I will also be pushing for something just as essential: a more intentional, transparent, and student-informed approach to teaching and learning experiences. Not to attack. Not to divide. Not to put anyone on the defensive. But to align us. Because when students succeed, this institution succeeds.

And let me be very clear: I am not speaking as someone looking in from the outside. I’ve been in these rooms. I’ve listened closely. I’ve paid attention. And now I’m stepping forward with purpose, with clarity, and with accountability.

So I’ll leave you with this; If we truly want bold leadership and real results, Period! then we cannot be afraid of bold, honest conversations. Because whether we participate in them or not students are already having them. The only question is: Will we be part of that conversation…or will we be the reason they have to have it somewhere else?

III. Senate Roll Call

Secretary Reisel conducted the roll call for the Senate.

Senator Richard Leson recognized Professor Mark D. Schwartz at what was expected to be his final Faculty Senate meeting before retirement after more than three decades at UWM. He highlighted Schwartz’s contributions to climatology, longstanding service to the university, multiple terms on the University Committee, and deep commitment to shared governance and institutional stewardship.

Leson emphasized Schwartz’s engagement and leadership in faculty governance and invited senators to honor him during the roll call vote by responding “Present.”

There were 36 senators and Parliamentarian Colleen Boland present. A quorum of the Faculty Senate was present.

IV. Automatic Consent

1. The minutes of the April 16, 2026 meeting were approved as distributed
2. The Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee and Human Resources to eliminate the Employee Assistance Program policy was received.
3. The Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee and Human Resources to revise the Annuitant Privileges policy was received.
4. The Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee, Academic Affairs, Facilities Planning & Management, and Student Health and Well-being to revise the Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus policy was received.

V. For Information

1. The Proposal to Inactivate the Public Health, MPH: Biostatistics was provided for information.
2. The Proposal to Inactivate the Public Health, PhD: Biostatistics was provided for information.

VI. Chancellor’s Report

1. Faculty Document 3197R2, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the Graduate Program Review Committee (GPRC) to revise the procedures for Qualitative Reviews of Graduate Programs. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
2. Faculty Document 3592, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the Honors College to grant faculty status to Hilary Snow, PhD, Teaching Professor. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
3. Faculty Document 3593, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the Honors College to grant faculty status to Alan Singer, PhD, Teaching Professor. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
4. Faculty Document 3594, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the Honors College to grant faculty status to Benjamin Schneider, PhD, Teaching Professor. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
5. Faculty Document 3595, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the College of Letters & Science Faculty to move the Departments of Geography (GEOG) and Conservation & Environmental Sciences (CES) into the Department of Geosciences (GEOSCI); to change the name of the Department of Geosciences to the Department of Earth, Environment, and Society (EES); and to dissolve the Department of Geography. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
6. Faculty Document 3596, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the College of Letters & Science Faculty to dissolve the Department of Ancient and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (AMLLC). Sent to UWM Administration, 4/20/26. Approved by UWM Administration, 4/21/26.
7. SAAP 08-02, 4/16/26: Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee and the Division of Finance & Administrative Affairs to revise the policy on Fiscal Misconduct. Approved by AS Senate 4/14/26. Approved by US Senate, 4/21/26. Sent to UWM Administration, 4/22/26.

VII. Proposed Faculty Senate Rules Committee and Faculty Senate Meetings for Academic Year 2026-2027

Semester I

Rules Committee (tentative)	Faculty/Senate (tentative)
September 3, 2026	September 17, 2026 (Faculty)
October 1, 2026	October 15, 2026
November 5, 2026	November 19, 2026
November 24, 2026 (Tuesday)	December 10, 2026

Semester II

Rules Committee (tentative)	Faculty/Senate (tentative)
January 14, 2027	January 28, 2027 (Faculty)
February 11, 2027	February 25, 2027
March 4, 2027	March 18, 2027
April 1, 2027	April 15, 2027
April 22, 2027	May 4, 2027 (Tuesday – if needed) May 6, 2027

VIII. Special Orders of Business

1. Election to fill two vacancies for three-year terms on the Faculty Senate Subcommittee on the Evaluation of Administrators (SSEA)
   The newly elected members will join continuing members Miren Boehm, Jennifer Fink, and Deyang Qu on the SSEA for 2026-27. Nominations were taken from the floor and two names were received. Alexa Anderson and Shevaun Watson were elected for a three-year term to the SSEA.
2. Election of the 2026-27 Faculty Senate Rules Committee
   Nominations were taken from the floor and five names were received. John Boyland, Veena Brown, Katherine Du, Amy Olen, and Kay Wells were elected to the Faculty Senate Rules Committee.

IX. Business

a. SAAP 10-14: Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee and University Police Department to create the policy on Emergency Operations Management

A senator moved adoption of SAAP 10-14. The motion was seconded. Chief of Police Brian Switala presented the document.

b. SAAP 07-12: Recommendation of the Policy Advisory Committee and Human Resources to revise the Rehiring UW Annuitants policy

A senator moved adoption of SAAP 07-12. The motion was seconded. Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer Makda Fessahaye presented the document.

c. Student Affairs Report

Vice Chancellor Kelly Haag presented.

Senator Schwartz asked whether Student Affairs also tracks food service trends in the Union. Vice Chancellor Haag confirmed that those figures are tracked and noted that food service activity in Union retail locations is lower than in the residence halls.

d. Information Technology Report

Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer Scott Genung presented.

Senator Winson Chu asked whether AI features in software such as Outlook and Excel could be disabled or prevented from scanning user data. AVC & CIO Genung explained the distinctions between current Microsoft Copilot licensing levels, noting that the university’s existing tools do not broadly access user data in the same way as the more advanced Microsoft 365 Copilot products, which UWM does not currently license.

He also noted that Microsoft continues to expand and modify its AI offerings and licensing models, while the university evaluates how best to use the technologies and provide guidance to campus. Senator Chu encouraged the university to negotiate opt-out options for users.

e. Office of Research Report

Vice Chancellor Ali Abedi presented.

In response to the AI-generated podcasts highlighting faculty research, Senator Melinda Kavanaugh suggested featuring researchers directly to discuss their work rather than relying on AI-generated content. Vice Chancellor Abedi responded that MarComm staffing limitations currently make that difficult, though he expressed support for the idea and agreed it could potentially become a student-led project in the future.

Senator Kristen Murphy expressed appreciation for the report’s emphasis on the need for additional faculty support and thanked Vice Chancellor Abedi for highlighting the issue.

X. Special Orders of Business (continued)

1. Election of the Chair of the Faculty Senate Rules Committee
   Nominations were taken from the floor and one name was received. Veena Brown was elected as Faculty Senate Rules Committee Chair and President Pro Tem of the Faculty Senate.

XI. Unfinished Business

None.

XII. General Good and Welfare

Chancellor Gibson recognized and thanked the Senators who are leaving the Faculty Senate: Sara Benesh, Avik Chakrabarti, Winson Chu, Wan-Chen Lee, Richard Leson, Michael Nosonovsky, Timothy O’Brien, Erin Parcell, Deyang Qu, Aragorn Quinn, Christopher Quinn, Valerica Raicu, and Mark Schwartz.

XIII. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:11 p.m.