September 8, 2026 – University Committee-Minutes

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Time: Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Lubar N456

Attendance

Present: Professors V. Brown, P. Chang, N. Fleisher, L. McHenry, W. Otieno, G. Rodger
Excused:  Professor M. Kavanaugh
Guests:  T. Gibson

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by W. Otieno at 1:04 p.m.

II. Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

III. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the September 1, 2026 meeting were approved.

IV. Special Guests

Chancellor Thomas Gibson

  1. Chancellor Gibson updated the committee on various leadership changes.  The new Chief Innovation and Partnerships Officer is Joel Fogelson. 
  2. Tina Freiburger is the Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.  AGB Search has been retained as the search firm for the permanent Provost position.  Listening sessions about the Provost position for the campus community have been scheduled.
  3. The UW President search and screen committee has identified candidates whom the committee would like to learn more about before identifying finalists. The plan is to identify 3 finalists.
  4. The Chancellor hosted higher education delegates from Hessen, Germany.  He asked the UC for suggestions on additional collaborations that can be made between UWM and entities in Hessen.
  5. Building off of conversations he had with John Gurda, Chancellor Gibson wanted to be sure that the UC and faculty as a whole realize that they are making a tremendous difference in the lives of our students.
  6. The Chancellor’s inauguration will be on September 25, which is also the 70th anniversary of UWM. 
  7. UWM is the presenting sponsor of Doors Open Milwaukee on September 26.  University Advancement is the contact group for the event, including for those seeking to be volunteers to assist.
  8. The Chancellor outlined the long-term facilities planning that is beginning at UWM.      

V. Chairperson’s Report and Announcements

1.  W. Otieno revised the list of names the UC sent to the Chancellor’s office for the faculty members on the Provost Search and Screen Committee.

2.  Reasons given by the Chancellor for using search firms for executive searches were summarized.  There is an effort underway at the UW System level to potentially develop a UW System “search firm” to handle searches across the entire system.             

VI. Members’ Reports

  1. V. Brown reported that the Rules Committee met and set the agenda for the September 17 University Faculty/Faculty Senate meeting.

VII. New Business

None

VIII. Old Business

None

IX.  Personnel Matters

None

X. Future Agenda Items

The next scheduled UC meeting is planned for September 22.  ASC Chair Nicole Oswald is expected to attend.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:23 p.m.