51猎奇

April 6, 2026 鈥� Academic Staff Committee (ASC) 鈥� Minutes

Posted on:

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

Attendance

Present: R. Edwards, K. Esguerra, B. Freer, J. Herriges, N. Oswald, A. Schmidt, N. Simonson, J. Steinheiser
Guests: Thomas Gibson, Makda Fessahaye

I. 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 February 16, 2026 meeting were approved as presented.

III. Persons Who Wish to be Heard

None

IV. Chair鈥檚 Report

J. Herriges reported she met with Chancellor Gibson and discussed communications about changes to student centers. She also met with AVC Fessahaye about why 51猎奇 chose not to opt in to 12 month pay for 9 month employees. She submitted ASC’s feedback to Lubar’s Workload policy, attended interviews for the interim provost and provided a report to the faculty senate. J. Herriges will meet with Provost Daire this week and ASC suggested she ask for his thoughts on challenges of the position and thoughts on job security for academic staff.

V. Guests

  1. Chancellor Thomas Gibson
    Chancellor Gibson provided update on leadership searches. Interviews were conducted last week with finalists for the interim provost position and a decision will be made later this week. Interviews will be held over this and next week for Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications with a decision expected about a week after the last interview. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kelly Haag and Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success Kay Eilers were guests on the Chancellor’s podcast speaking about student life outside of campus and how 51猎奇 supports the student journey. 414 for 51猎奇 giving days is April 13-14, 2026. Chancellor Gibson talked about the reorganization of the Office of Research will enhance the connection between research and student success and retention. Chancellor Gibson asked for feedback on AI and ASC shared concerns and thoughts surrounding AI and noted the importance of 51猎奇 moving more quickly with a plan. Gibson raised questions about the lack of faculty staff attendance at commencement. ASC shared ideas for increasing faculty and staff attendance and pointed out some areas that may be contributing factors such as cost for regalia, lack of invitations to attend.
  2. Associate Vice Chancellor M. Fessahaye
    HR is following up with employees who are non-compliant with mandatory training and granting extensions. She provided update on active leadership searches. Finalists for VC for Marcomm will be on campus starting this week and all are encouraged to attend the open forums and interim provost finalists were interviewed last week. The search for the permanent provost and permananet dean of the College of Letters and Science are expected to be launched in early fall 2026. The reorganization in the Office of Research and importance of aligning research with student success and retention was briefly discussed.
  3. Interim Deputy Chief Legal Counsel J. Herzog
    J. Herzog asked to postpone discussion about revisions to Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapters 106, 109 and 110 since HR is proposing additional changes.

VI. Unfinished Business

  1. None.

VII. New Business

  1. Proposed revisions to Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapters 106, 109 and 110 – See item V.C.
  2. Review Academic Staff Appointment Types and Contract Term Comparisons to Peer Institutions submitted by NIAS and IRAS Subcommittees – The ASC discussed the report and its final assessments. ASC will share the report with the University Committee. The workgroup will be invited to attend an ASC meeting to discuss results and next steps. Discussion about evidence for protecting academic staff and broaden faculty status for academic staff took place. Talked about right-sizing and overall staffing planning. ASC agreed to move this item under unfinished business for continuing discussion.
  3. Review SAAPs 08-02 Fiscal Misconduct and 11-03 Social Media Usage Representing 51猎奇 – N. Oswald moved and R. Edwards seconded approving SAAP 08-02 as presented and forwarding to the Senate for approval. Motion carried unanimously. ASC reviewed SAAP 11-03 and voiced concern over identifying 51猎奇 in a personal account and not automatically being subject to the policy in doing so. J. Herriges will share ASC’s feedback with the Secretary of the University.

VIII. Reports

  1. R. Edwards reported that Realignment workgroup final recommendations will be complete by end of next week. Expected to present four options.
  2. N. Simonson reminded that AS Orientation Committee presentation for April 9th at 1 pm on Teams.
  3. B. Freer shared details on a Basic Needs workgroup that explores initiatives for addressing students’ needs. The workgroup launched by Freer led to the formation of a state-wide taskforce.

IX. Personnel Matters

None.

X. Good and General Welfare

None.

XI. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.