November 3, 2025 – Academic Staff Committee (ASC) – Minutes

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Time: Monday at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Lubar N440 and Microsoft Teams

Attendance

Present: R. Edwards, K. Esguerra, A. Follmer, B. Freer, J. Herriges, N. Oswald, A. Schmidt, N. Simonson, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Elise Bechly Schubert, Thomas Gibson, John Reisel

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair J. Herriges at 9:00 a.m.

The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes of October 20, 2025 meeting were approved as presented.

Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

Chair’s Report

J. Herriges reported she met with Chancellor T. Gibson and talked about how budget is impacting academic staff positions throughout campus, potential impact of teaching workload policy on academic staff and moving more fixed term contracts to probationary contracts. Chancellor Gibson did not have any questions about survey on indefinite status results. He shared information about new unit alignment and and an upcoming vice chancellor recruitment. J. Herriges provided a report to the University Committee who were discussing Act 15 and the presentation on the Indefinite status survey results to the AS Senate. The UC supports the ASC’s efforts on moving more fixed term to probationary to allow opportunities for indefinite appointment. J. Herriges has not met with Provost Daire nor the University Staff Committee since the last ASC meeting.

Guests

  1. Chancellor T. Gibson
    Chancellor T. Gibson highlighted the success of UWM’s alum Daulton Varsho, who is UWM’s first alum to play in the the World Series. He reminded the ASC to submit comments on the Teaching Workload Policy (RPD 20-25) to Kathryn Amato by November 5th. Chancellor Gibson provided update on capital projects including the Chemistry building being demolished soon. He talked about the college affordability gap and noted Wisconsin ranks 46 in the nation for college affordability. Gibson mentioned the pilot policy that will allow students to change a F grade to a No Credit. There was a session on AI in education that was attended by many UWM employees. Topics included AI in instruction, efforts to improve student success and enhancing efficiencies in institutional operations. Gibson shared details about the upcoming WUWM program that will air on November 6th. Eligible employees are required to submit for VSIP by December 1st.
  2. Deputy Chief HR Officer E. Bechly Schubert
    E. Bechly Schubert reported that evaluations were due in Workday on October 31st and HR met with K. Esguerra about the evaluation process and timeline. Information Security training is required annually and if employees fail to complete they will lose access to non-personal tasks in Workday. HR is working with Provost’s Office on implementing pay increases as a result of Act 15. Benefits open enrollment closed on October 31st. Next new employee orientation session will be December 2nd. E. Bechly Schubert provided update on health and wellness opportunities.

Unfinished Business

  1. Workload Policies for AS – Discussion about proposed Teaching Workload Policy. ASC members will send comments to J. Herriges by end of day November 4th and she will compile and submit to K. Amato by November 5th.
  2. Non-Instructional AS Review Committee Survey on Indefinite Status – K. Esguerra stated the ASC has done its due diligence by conducting the survey, presenting to the AS Senate and campus leadership. R. Edwards moved and K. Esguerra seconded removing the item from Unfinished Business. Motion passed unanimously.
  3. Faculty Status for Academic Staff – Discussion with Secretary of the University J. Reisel took place about granting faculty status to academic staff. R. Edwards moved and N. Oswald seconded approving academic staff with faculty status be allowed to serve on academic staff committees. Motion passed unanimously. B. Freer moved and R. Edwards to have J. Reisel advocate that an instructional academic staff be added to the APCC membership. Motion passed unanimously.
  4. Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapter 105 Performance Management. K. Esguerra is waiting for response from AVC M. Fessahaye, HR, on timelines. N. Oswald moved and K. Esguerra seconded to change the due date of academic staff annual performance evaluations to June 30th in ASPPP Chapter 105 to coincide with Workday timeline. After discussion, N. Oswald moved to rescind the motion. R. Edwards seconded and motion passed unanimously. K. Esguerra will follow up with E. Bechly Schubert on timeline and confirm that HR will send email to campus about standard process. She will ask about nine-month employees.

New Business

  1. Review Proposed Revisions to ASHAC Bylaws from AS Codification – After review, R. Edwards moved and N. Simonson seconded approving the revised ASHAC Bylaws as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
  2. Approve AS Senate agenda (November 11) – After review, B. Freer moved and A. Follmer seconded approving the November AS Senate agenda with the SAAP 14-5 as new business item. Motion passed unanimously.
  3. ASC recommendation for AS Senate Rep on Realignment Workgroup 2.0 – J. Herriges moved and A. Follmer seconded to recommend R. Edwards to serve on the Workgroup. Motion passed with vote of 8-0-1. J. Herriges will notify Canan Bilen-Green.
  4. Comment on RPD 20-25 Teaching Workload Policy – see item VI.A.
  5. SAAP 14-5 Research Misconduct Policy – The ASC reviewed the summary of revisions and agreed to included as a new business item for vote. B. Freer moved and A. Schmidt seconded to have SAAP 14-5 presented at the November AS Senate meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Reports

  1. N. Simonson reported the AS Orientation Committee presentation will be held on November 4th.
  2. A. Follmer reported the APBC’s budget meetings started last week.
  3. K. Esguerra reported the NIASRC workshop on preparing file for indefinite had very low attendance and suggested sending targeted email invites for future workshops to reduce confusion among employees who are not probationary.
  4. N. Oswald reported the Campus Space Planning Committee will hold first meeting next week.

Personnel Matters

None.

Good and General Welfare

Non-Instructional Academic Staff Subcommittee will present “How I Can be of Service” on November 19th.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 10:58 am.