Time: Tuesday at 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, D. Clark, A. Daire
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by M. Kavanaugh at 1:01 p.m.
Persons Who Wish to be Heard
None
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of August 19, 2025 meeting were approved.
Special Guests
- Provost Andrew Daire
The Workload Policy Workgroup has completed a proposed university faculty workload policy. The state legislature, through Act 15, doesn’t want faculty at the R1 schools teaching less than a 2-2 workload.
Work is being done on modifying CETL to further increase its emphasis on student learning. Additionally, a Center for Distributed Learning is being developed to improve on-line course offerings.
Units will be charged for services in non-academic events that are supported by the Accessibility Resource Center.
The UW System is considering a change in the program discontinuation policy that will be based on the number of juniors and seniors in a program, rather than an average of 5 graduates per year.
The first-year bridge program will play an important role in helping retain at-risk incoming students.
Academic Affairs in centralizing the training of academic advisors. - Vice Provost Dave Clark
This past summer, work has been done on course scheduling to attempt to require units to use a reduced number of time options for courses. The UC provided feedback on their experiences with course scheduling.
An office hours policy is being developed.
A policy on setting basic requirements for the use of the learning management system (currently Canvas) is being developed.
There is an attempt to roll out a no-credit policy for students this semester. This policy would allow students who get an F in a course to change the grade to NC so that it doesn’t negatively affect a student’s GPA. - Vice Provost Canan Bilen-Green
The proposed university faculty workload policy was discussed. The workgroup addressed most of what they were charged to do by the Provost.
Chairperson’s Report and Announcements
- M. Kavanaugh met with Provost Daire and they discussed how to have the UC and the Provost work together effectively.
- The UW System Faculty Reps met and expressed concerns over the implementation of Act 15 provisions. The timeline for changes in faculty workload policies and GER revisions is short, with comments on proposed changes being due by October 22.
- M. Kavanaugh will be absent for next week’s meeting. L. McHenry will chair the meeting.
Members’ Reports
- G. Rodger reported that the APBC met.
New Business
None
Old Business
None
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 1:57 p.m. The committee reconvened in open session at 2:15 p.m.
Future Agenda Items
The next scheduled UC meeting is September 9 at 1:00 pm. Chancellor Gibson is scheduled to attend.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.