UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) The VC for Marketing, Communications, and University Relations search has failed, but will be relaunched soon with a goal of completing this hire in Fall 2022; and 2) The UWM Union redesign in underway, and the building will be closed all summer.

Provost J. Britz provided the following updates: 1) When he takes up his new position at UW-System, he still plans to be on campus for part of each week; 2)  He feels the campus is in a good position to maintain our current momentum on major campus initiatives; and 3) He agreed to follow-up on a direct request from the UC to make current information readily available to the Secretary of University regarding faculty rank numbers and dynamics.

The committee had a discussion with UR Chair E. Levine, new Compliance officer K. Amato, FAA VC R. Van Harpen, and Senior Director of Integrated Marketing & Communications M. Johnson concerning the bad messaging symbolized by the recent “fraud posters”, as well as the need for real/transparent communication between the faculty and administration in such matters.  The future role for the University Relations committee also needs more discussion.  The UC will plan to meet with members of this committee to help chart a course forward early in Fall 2022.

The UC discussed our concerns about a student “free speech” survey (which has been widely reported in the news).  The survey is apparently now going to be conducted on all UW-System campuses in Fall 2022.

Chancellor M. Mone provided the following updates: 1) Last Sunday’s recognition ceremony (for those who had graduated from UWM in recent semesters–but did not have an opportunity to attend an in-person event due to the pandemic), was a resounding success, with about 500 students participating; 2) A distinguished alumni gathering and award ceremony, held at the Pfister Hotel last Friday, was also a very successful event; 3) Discussions continue with UW-System leadership about “Tuition Promise” student scholarship funds—it is hoped this program can be implemented across all campuses in Fall 2023; 4) Issues preventing the planned demolition of NWQ “Building A” are far from resolved, and it is unclear when that work might be able to move forward; and 5)  Campus leadership is monitoring the COVID situation carefully, and preparing to respond as needed to any changing circumstances.

The committee had a productive discussion with GFC Chair J. Burges and Interim Graduate Dean J. Puskar about graduate students being required to submit their theses and dissertations to Proquest (a for-profit company) with minimal exceptions.  This issue needs more discussion, especially consideration of alternatives.  The GFC will take up this matter at their first meeting in Fall 2022, which UC Chair N. Rothfels will plan to attend.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) The VC for Marketing, Communications, and University Relations finalist interviews are taking place this week; 2)  He has attended interviews for Compliance Manager (in the Office of Sponsored Programs); 3)  Discussions continue about faculty workload as part of the 2030 process; and 4)  After feedback from UC members, he will rework the CARES Team document for consideration/presentation at the next Faculty Senate meeting.

Provost J. Britz provided the following updates: 1) There has been a substantial increase in admitted international undergraduate and graduate students for the Fall 2022 semester; and 2) Undergraduate tuition increases will not be considered until at least after the 2022 election.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) The Chancellor is having discussions with incoming UW-System leadership about the possibility of Badger Promise (one-time) funds coming to our campus; 2)  The Chancellor is having constructive conversations with incoming UW-System President J. Rothman and Interim President M. Falbo about the UWM request to the BOR regarding the campus funding formula; 3) He has asked the CARE team to provide their top items for a potential Faculty Senate resolution; 4) He has invited the Interim Graduate Dean and GFC chair to the April 12 UC meeting to discuss the current policy of requiring theses and dissertations to be electronically deposited with an outside vendor; 5)  The UC will encourage the Provost to eliminate gendered language in the emerit policy SAAP; and 6) We will move to a hybrid UC meeting format starting with the next meeting on April 5^th.

ASC Chair N. Oswald provided the following updates: 1) She will be on parental leave for May-August, and the ASC Vice-Chair will attend UC meetings during that period; 2) TTC appeals have started with each one running about an hour (there are 174 in total).  Some problems with finding appropriate titles are occurring; and 3) All longer-term lecturer appointments on campus will be transitioned to “teaching faculty” titles, primarily because these have four different levels available.

The UC discussed concerns that have been raised regarding the fraud signage which has been recently (and prominently) posted in campus buildings.  We need a better approach to such messaging, as these posters are ineffective at best, and insulting at worst.  All such messaging needs faculty consultation before deployment.  We also discussed the continuing problem of low faculty salaries with no resolution in sight.  As the very least, faculty governance should be provided with detailed information on a regular basis about UWM faculty salaries broken down by rank and demographics.

Member D. Misra reported that the APBC met the week before spring break, but that most of the issues discussed were like items presented at the Faculty Senate meeting that same week.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported that campus discussion continues about TTC implementation, especially related to implementation of the Teaching Professor academic staff titles.

Provost J. Britz provided the following updates: 1) He would like to initiate a campus process to facilitate creative thinking about the timing and length of break periods during the academic year; and 2) UW-System administration is starting discussions about the on-going role of UW-System and its structural relationships to the campuses.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) He contacted the CARE team and suggested the April Faculty Senate meeting for their presentation and consideration of a resolution of support, which they readily agreed to; 2) Nigel will be attending the Academic Staff Senate meeting later today; and 3) He met with Provost Britz last week, focusing on issues surrounding support among units for shared governance.  This will likely lead to an invitation for him to address a future campus leadership meeting.

Chancellor M. Mone provided the following updates: 1) The bi-annual capital budget meeting with UW-System is taking place today.  Priorities for UWM include funding for continued NWQ remodeling, building a new Engineering/Neurosciences structure, and resources to pay off the remaining balance due for the ZSPH site; 2) UW-System will be asked to help with the issues delaying the demolition of NWQ Building A; 3) The campus reinvestment overture to the BOR continues to move forward.  Mone recently met with incoming interim UW-System President M. Falbo, as well as representative from the NAACP, Urban League, as well as major local business supporters about this effort; 4) The Chancellor will address stress and morale challenges facing the campus workforce at the March 15^th Town Hall; and 5) The UC asked him to work on finding ways to mitigate the increasing disconnect between faculty/staff service loads and the recognition/remuneration received for doing these essential functions.

The UC met with English Department Chair L. Hall to discuss concerns about the “tone” of recent meetings meant to engage faculty in the process of identifying individuals who may be guilty of fiscal misconduct on campus.  We agreed that these meetings, as well as other “trainings” need to be presented in a more concise manner that focuses on things that are relevant to real university situations.

Lastly, member E. Bornstein noted that the AAFEC met this past week.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) Two faculty have agreed to be nominated for service on the NS divisional committee; 2) The social science faculty senate position vacancy for this semester has been filled; 3) Some departments are apparently advising faculty that committee service outside of their department (i.e., in the School/College or University) will not be considered in evaluations.  This is a serious issue, and points to broader concerns, which he will discuss with the Provost; and 4) The Scenario planning group met and received substantive guidance from faculty.  There will be some flexibility for instructors to change modality after spring break, but the hope is that the number doing so will not be large.

Provost J. Britz provided the following updates: 1) He will hold a second meeting with Chairs and Directors later this week to clarify expected campus procedures after spring break; 2) The number of new freshman admissions for next year are looking good compared to last year and other UW-System campuses; and 3) Campus is looking for ways to incentivize doctoral students to complete their degrees.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) We need a new faculty senator for the Spring semester from the Social Sciences; 2)  He submitted comments on candidates for the Ethics and Compliance position in Legal Affairs; 3)  He will look into developing specific questions for Chief Legal Consul Joely Urdan before we invite her to a UC meeting; and 4) Concerns about the removal of the campus mask mandate continue to be registered—UWM will likely end it around the beginning of Spring Break.

ASC Chair N. Oswald provided the following updates: 1) ASC submitted feedback to the new UW-System President, specifically noting UWM’s unique funding challenges; 2) TTC appeals hearings will be moving ahead next week; 3) ASC discussed AS inequality issues with DEI VC C. Vang; and 4) ASC is discussing potential issues for AS related to the school/college reorganizations.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) He attended finalist interviews for the new compliance and ethics officer in Legal Affairs; 2) BOR Education Committee review of the UWM unit reorganization plan went smoothly, but it was made clear that additional governance review will occur before final campus approval.  Indeed, UW-System indicated that they will only need to be notified of the final names for the new units; and 3) A process will be put together for the CARES group to make a presentation to the Faculty Senate in concert with a resolution, like what is on tap for the Climate Action-Carbon Resilience Plan.

Provost J. Britz provided the following updates: 1) Final names for the new Schools/Colleges will be deliberated by the Faculty Senate and other appropriate venues; and 2) He is leading UW-System Provosts in developing an academic briefing for the incoming UW-System President.

R. Shumway (AAFEC Chair), Director of Finance & Operations Kathy Heath, and VC Robin Van Harpen (the latter two are serving as interim leadership for campus HR) joined the UC to discuss ways to facilitate forward movement on DEI campus recruitment processes and strategies. More clarity of direction is needed from Academic Affairs (Provost) in concert with School/College leaders and the DEI AVC. As soon as feasible, AAFEC should be meeting regularly with HR (once the new leader in in place) to advance this initiative on campus in concert with Academic Affairs.

Member D. Misra noted that the Nominations Committee has met and provided names for committee positions which will be presented to the Faculty Senate.

UC Chair N. Rothfels reported:  1) In light of some recent developments with the ongoing unit mergers, campus administration needs to be reminded that names of schools and colleges are subject to final discussion/recommendation by the Faculty Senate; 2) A vacancy on the Professions Divisional Committee was successfully filled; 3) A new procedure is under development for post-disciplinary hearings related to FRRC cases, in order to comply with State Law—this will eventually lead to changes in Faculty P&P that will need to come before the Senate; and 4) He attended the remaining AVC for HR finalist interviews.

Chancellor M. Mone provided the following updates: 1) The $40M UWM “Investment” initiative being considered by the BOR continues to gather momentum, including strong support from the Milwaukee business community.  The next several months will be crucial to the initiative’s success; 2)  Two graduate recognition ceremonies will be held on April 10^th for those who graduated since the pandemic started, but did not have a chance to participate in an in-person event; 3)  He will be hosting another Town Hall meeting on March 15^th; and 4)  Work on improving faculty/staff morale is critical to the future of our campus—are there ways to make thing better?  He is making a push to find some answers to this issue.

Member D. Misra noted that APBC met last week with business including consideration of a proposal to merge the Department of Communication with the Department of Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies (both are in the College of Letter and Science).