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Report will be posted upon receipt.

• Academic Staff Committee
  • Since the last Faculty Senate meeting The ASC met 4 times 12/15/25 and 1/5/26.2/2/26 and 2/16/2026
  • Persons wishing to be heard
  • Essentially concerns with Indefinite status.  Concerns that offering contracts as probationary status leading to indefinite are dwindling and concerns that we need to take steps to show the value of indefinite status.  It is hard earned and service is a part of that as well as being recognized as a true member of 51����. 
    • co-chairs of the Non-Instructional Academic Staff Subcommittee (NIAS)
      • seeking guidance from the ASC on the future of the Subcommittee and its purpose.
    • David R Witzling
      • read the results of the Indefinite Status Survey interested in a discrepancy between how the University treats instructional and non-instructional academic staff:
      • Is there any mechanism you are aware of to enforce the University’s obligation to their most widely-used category of instructor and offer Probationary contracts or indefinite status?
    • Matt Knachel
      • change to faculty P&P 1.01(1)(b), the section that specifies qualifications for academic staff to have faculty status at the university level. The current policy allows for faculty status only for instructional academic staff with probationary or indefinite appointments. The proposed revision adds instructional academic staff with “an appointment of at least 5 consecutive years.
      • I worry that adding “serving for 5 consecutive years” is just a way to rope people into more service without providing them with the job security that they deserve (and that AS P&P 104 affirmatively demands).
  • Our Guests were Chancellor Gibson, Associate Vice Chancellor Fessahaye, University Committee Chair Kavanaugh, Provost Daire Scott Gronert, Dean, College of Letters & Science
  • Chancellor Gibson gave updates:
    • Board of Regents (BOR) voted to support Act 15 and the workload policy and general education requirements.
    • The 51���� Panther Arena and the Miller High Life Theatre were granted permanent historic designation by the Milwaukee Common Council 
    • Gibson will update 51����’s strategic actions in response to the Deloitte report to the BOR later this week.
    • Academic Affairs launching a new initiative called “Roar Ready”
    • This week’s Chancellor W51���� show and podcast
    • Demolition on the Chemistry building
  • Associate Vice Chancellor Fessahaye
    • Final numbers of the VSIP
    • HR is close to finalizing the Comprehensive Compensation Review Guidelines and will share with governance in early Spring 2026.
    • Encourages participation in the design sessions for the redesign of the student identity centers. It is important that students feel supported and can graduate from 51���� and it is crucial to include voices from students. Acknowledged the strong history of the identity centers at 51����.
    • the UWs policy that 9-month employees can opt-in to be paid over 12 months starting this Spring.
  • Scott Gronert, Dean, College of Letters & Science
    • We had a good conversation with him about our concerns on fewer positions that are probationary leading to Indefinite status and to IAS only being offered renewable contracts (terminal or renewable) for multiple years (we have examples individuals being here for 15 or 20 years) without being offered the indefinite track.  
    • We were informed of budgetary issues forecasting of IAS positions for the future.
    • We feel this is a conversation to have with more Deans moving forward. 
  • University Committee Chair Melinda Kavanaugh
    • The UC has been discussing workload policy and Act 15 and the GER implications. ASC discussed the reduction in probationary and indefinite appointments with M. Kavanaugh who expressed concern and noted the UC supports the continuing of offering probationary appointments.
    • Discussion about the proposed revisions to Faculty Status (Chapter 1.01 1(b)) shared by M. Kavanaugh took place.
    • Informed how the University committee is working with HR for transparency on the budget issues
    • Student attendance at your last faculty meeting was fantastic. Prefer that engagement and hearing their concerns
  • Provost A. Daire.
    • ASC presented concerns surrounding statements at the December 12th presentation to the Libraries about reducing probationary and indefinite appointments.
    • a brief enrollment update and noted the focus will be on retention. Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs is working on specific retention targets and efforts for each unit and discussing with deans.
    • Daire encouraged participation in upcoming admission events in February and March.
    • asked about the moving of the student identity centers. He said this is an opportunity to be more inclusive.
  • Topics covered
    • Reviewed Proposed Revisions to AS Awards Bylaws – AS Awards Committee
    • ASC Appointment to AS Codification Committee –Motion passed unanimously.
    • Review Proposed Revisions to SAAP 0-1 51���� Policy on the Creation of Selected Academic & Administrative Policies – After review, ASC members shared feedback.   send to Joely Urdan by December 5th.
    • Discuss feedback on Proposed Revisions to SAAP 0-1 51���� Policy on the Creation of Selected Academic & Administrative Policies.
    • Reviewed social media Policy (draft) – After discussion, Motion passed unanimously.
    • Review and Comment on UW System Administrative Policy 1: Development, Revision, and Approval of UW System Administrative Policies, Procedures, and Guidance – After discussion, approved the Policy as presented.
    • Review Digital Accessibility Policy for Digital Tools and Electronic Resources – After review and discussion, the ASC had no feedback. Associate Vice Chancellor for IT and CIO Scott Genung who will present to the AS Senate
    • Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Chapter 105 Performance Management – Update about the changes to timelines. For non-instructional the timeline follows the fiscal year and dates were established by UWs. ASC/Secretary of the University will send a follow up communication to campus after HR sends message about performance evaluations. The message will note that the current policy is being revised with expected approval in late March
    • ASC feedback on SYS 1310, Copyrightable Materials Ownership, Use and Control
    • ASC appoint representative to replace ASC member on the – Academic Planning & Budget Committee
    • ASPRO presentation – Jenny Dahlberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Informed us what they do and what individuals needed to do to become involved.
    • We also had the Committee Reports
• Academic Staff Senate Has met twice since our last presentations   
  • Guests were Chancellor Thomas Gibson/ Provost Andrew Daire /Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, Makda Fessahaye /Total Rewards Director Renee Joos and Vice Chancellor for Research Ali Abedi
  • Chancellor T. Gibson provided updates:
    • Commencement recap – more than 1,500 graduates received their degrees. VSIP – 31 employees participated The estimated savings is $2.8M. 
    • ACT 15 – JCOER approved Regent’s Policy 2025.
    • General education requirements were reviewed and no approval is needed. 
    • Chancellor’s Inauguration Committee has been formed. The event will be in September 2026.Vice Provost for Academic Affairs D. Clark
  • Vice Provost D. Clark provided updates on behalf of Provost Daire on the following
    • Spring 2026 enrollment
      • He shared some of the strategies that Student Enrollment Management and Student Success are undertaking for re-enrollment.
    • ROAR Ready is launching officially this spring.
    • Update on Academic Affairs efforts to reduce missing grades after the submission deadline and textbook adoptionsAn update on the Grade Recovery Pilot Program and the number of students
  • Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) M. Fessahaye and Total Rewards Director R. Joos
    • reported the new employee orientation sessions will start again on January 27th. summary of the professional development opportunities available to staff. 31 employees participated in the VSIP with 15 being academic staff. R. Joos highlighted health and wellness opportunities and noted that all events are available on the health and wellness webpage. Employee Appreciation Week will take place February 9-15 with numerous activities including the Length of Service Awards ceremony
  • Provost Andrew Daire
    • Shared EAB Workshops on Academic Cost Decisions in Practice.
      • This workshop for Deans and Department Chairs is focused on aligning instructional resources with institutional priorities
    • Interim 51���� Teaching Load Policy Increased Focus on Retention
  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning & Management M. Spadanuda
    AVC M. Spadanuda presented on 51����’s capital projects, reporting that 51���� was awarded over $230M, and upcoming projects, repairs and long-range campus plan
  • New Business
    • AS Doc 154 Revisions to Academic Staff Awards Committee (ASAC) Bylaws – No concerns were raised. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Committees gave their reports
• For both the University Staff Committee
  • I gave a Summary of what the ASC and Senate in the last month
• Attended the Engagement and Belonging Meeting January 12 for campus leaders -Campus partners will share insights on how engagement (in and outside the classroom) and belonging are essential drivers of student success.

Diversity and Inclusion Director Heather Maggio introduced themself and reported that the organization has focused on student engagement, attending information sessions, and hosting listening sessions and town halls to gather student feedback, particularly regarding concerns about ongoing campus changes.

They also shared plans to propose a course material cost transparency initiative next month and noted that the organization is working to change its name from Student Association to Student Government to better reflect its role.