September 16, 2025-University Staff Senate-Minutes

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Location:  Microsoft 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, S. Wirka


ABSENT: C. Fitzpatrick, R. Wahl, L. Wieczorek


GUESTS: J. Cramer, M. Fessahaye, J. Herriges, D. Knab, T. Oles, R. Van Harpen

  1. Call to Order-The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m.
  2. Approval of minutes for August 19, 2025-The minutes were approved as submitted via automatic consent.
  3. SAAPS for Approval-The following SAAPS were approved as submitted with no concerns via automatic consent. 
    • SAAP 7-10 Minimum Qualifications for Instructors
    • SAAP 15-3 Hazing Policy
  4. Safe Meeting Practices/Guidelines/Discussion-Following disruptions at the September Senate meeting new protocols have been in place to assure that the same problems do not arise.  Chat features have been disabled and participants will have to be approved to join the meeting.  L. Eastman will monitor all questions in order to make sure future meetings are safe for participants to make the meetings friendly and accessible in the future.  L. Eastman suggested visiting the UWM Knowledge Base at UWM’s web page for more information on best practices for safe meetings.  J. Peine from Technology Resources was also on hand to help answer questions from the Senate.  The feedback on the EAP sessions regarding the meetings was positive.  If someone would like more information or counseling about this or other incidents staff can contact EAP. 
  5. Chair Update-G. Dukes-Chair Dukes discussed the recent incentives for retirement (the VSIP program) which did not include University Staff with Chancellor Gibson.  The response was that University Staff are essential to keeping the University running and would not be included in this round of VSIP.  Many felt that it was because University Staff are the lowest paid employees and would not make as much of a budgetary impact as Faculty and Academic Staff.  Chair Dukes said she discussed the fact that some University Staff have been part of budget challenge discussions which have resulted in layoffs.  Chair Dukes will continue to discuss it with Campus Administration.  L. Wieczorek will be stepping down from her Governance Duties due to health challenges the University Staff Nominations Committee will meet to find replacements for her.  The University Staff Senate will send her well wishes.  Senator R. Wahl is out with knee surgery and will be taking a leave of absence.  He will be back as soon as he is able. 
  6. Academic Staff Update-J. Herriges was on hand to give a report and encourage dialogue between Academic and University Staff.
  7. Getting to know you-G. Henion was the first Senator to participate.  George has been active in University Staff Governance.  He is set to retire in December. 
  8. UWM Wellness Programs-T. Oles & J. Cramer were on hand to present information about the UWM Wellness Programs that have been developed through Human Resources.  These include trainings and programs and workshops to enhance the employee experience at UWM.  Email updates will be sent to employees to keep them informed of upcoming events.  In addition, employees can see upcoming events on the Human Resources website available through the UWM Homepage.
  9. Human Resources Update/Benefits Fair-M. Fessahaye updated the Senate on Human Resources.  University Staff are encouraged to go to the website to see the many options that are there.  Performance Evaluations should be completed by October.  This is a change for many University Staff.  Check with your supervisor to make sure this is complete.  It will be in Workday. 
  10. Budget Update & FAA Update-D. Knab & R. Van Harpen updated the Senate on the budget. The Budget Team will send an update to campus about changes to the budget.  Campus is monitoring any changes in both federal and state funding.  As UWM has been working towards a balanced budget the budget issues have not been as difficult to address as in previous years.  The State has funded many Capitol Projects which will help offset some of the costs facing campus.  Increasing retention of students as well as doing well with our recruitment efforts will help even further with balancing our budgets.  Facilities Services have been some of the hardest hit; both with personnel and budgets.  Due to these challenges some services will be cut down.  Department will have to determine what services they can do themselves.  This will be addressed in a campus message that will go out by the end of September.
  11. Committee Reports-There were no committee reports.
  12. New/Other Business-There was no new or other business.
  13. Adjournment-The meeting was adjourned at 12:09 p.m.