Author: Michelle Felber

February Board of Regents Meeting

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Universities of Wisconsin logoThe Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will meet at UW-Madison on Thursday and Friday, February 5 and 6. The meeting will be hosted by UW-Madison and held in Union South. Information on joining the meeting via Zoom is here.

Regent committees will meet Thursday morning:

  • The Business and Finance Committee will hear a presentation from UW-Madison on operational excellence and receive several reports and updates on topics including artificial intelligence, information technology projects, and financials.
  • The Education Committee will consider approval of a new UW-Madison bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering and updates to individual university policies relating to campaigning in residence halls. The committee will also hear a presentation from UW-Madison on teaching and learning and a presentation on artificial intelligence for academic officers.
  • The Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee will hear reports before moving into closed session to discuss several lawsuits relating to recent federal actions, contract negotiations, and issues related to campus crime detection and prevention.
  • The Capital Planning and Budget Committee will consider granting authority for certain aspects of several building projects, including two at UW-Madison (Frautschi Center and Music Hall) and hear a report from UW-Madison on its facilities program. The committee will move into closed session to consider the naming of a UW-Madison facility.

The full board will meet Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. On Thursday, Regents will hear reports from System President Jay Rothman and Regent President Amy Bogost and a presentation from UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. President Rothman will also facilitate a discussion on artificial intelligence featuring faculty, staff, and students from UW System institutions.

On Friday, UW-Madison will present and discuss The Wisconsin Exchange Program and Regents will hear UW-Madison’s NCAA Division I Athletics Annual Accountability Report. Before adjourning, the board will move into closed session to consider a naming at UW-Madison, honorary degree nominations at UW-Milwaukee, chancellor compensation adjustments, contract negotiations, campus safety strategies, and pending or possible litigation.

The Effect of Federal Orders on University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty

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Earlier this fall, PROFS (Public Representation Organization of the Faculty Senate), invited its members to complete to a brief survey on how federal executive actions taken since President Donald Trump took office have impacted their teaching and research. About 15 percent of the membership responded to all or part of the survey. The summary of our findings:

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PROFS Statement on Faculty Workload Requirements in the State Budget Proposal

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PROFS is calling on members of the Legislature to remove troublesome language relating to faculty workload requirements from the state budget bill. The bill, a bipartisan compromise between Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders, was approved by the Joint Finance Committee yesterday.

Our statement:

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May Legislative Update

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The update below was shared with members and guests of the Faculty Senate yesterday. The Senate meets in Room 272 Bascom Hall the first Monday of the month in October through December and February through May.

May 2025 Legislative Update on letterhead

May Legislative Update

PROFS, the Public Representation Organization of the Faculty Senate, is a non-profit advocacy organization of UW-Madison faculty. Formed by the Faculty Senate and governed by the University Committee, PROFS provides a voice to faculty, allowing them to communicate directly with the governor, legislators, and members of Congress.

Federal Update

The unprecedented federal attack on higher education continues and PROFS continues to work with leaders on campus and the offices of members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation. We also partnered with our Academic Staff colleagues to host a well-attended campus forum on federal issues last month. Local coverage of the forum is here:  Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Examiner.

UW-Madison’s Office of Strategic Communication is asking members of the university community, including faculty, to share stories about the impact of cuts in federal funding. The impact of these cuts – direct and indirect – are often not understood by the general public and examples of how these cuts will harm not only important research, but students and the public at large. Examples may be used by the university in their external communications and advocacy efforts. Submit your experiences here.

2025-27 State Budget

The 2025-27 state budget process is underway, and public hearings were held in Hayward and Wausau last week. PROFS expects significant Republican opposition to Governor Evers’ record budget for UW System when the Joint Finance Committee begins taking votes on the bill.

Republican leaders have said they hope to begin voting on the bill this month, but no meetings have been scheduled to date. Despite that, a Co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein said he plans to complete the budget by the end of June. The current level of appropriations will continue should the budget process continue after July 1. PROFS has already met to meet with legislators and is advocating for the best possible budget for UW-Madison.

PROFS/ASPRO Forum on Federal Issues

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US Capitol

US Capitol, Washington, DC

PROFS and ASPRO, the Academic Staff Professionals Representation Organization, are hosting a forum on recent federal actions impacting UW-Madison and higher education across the United States at 9 am, Thursday, April 24. A poster for the event is below. Feel free to print and post.

DC Update: How the Trump Administration’s Actions Will Reshape Higher Education

  • 9 am, Thursday, April 24
  • Symphony Room, Gordon Dining & Event Center, (Room 241A, 770 W. Dayton Street)

The higher education community has been reeling since Donald Trump was inaugurated in January. Wide-ranging executive orders – relating to federal funding of research, DEI programs and policies, and immigration – to name just a few, have impacted UW-Madison and colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Our panel will discuss federal actions to-date and share their thoughts on how these actions may impact UW-Madison and higher education nationally.

PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals will moderate:

This event is free and open to the public. Pastries and coffee will be served at 8:30 am.

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March Board of Regents Meeting

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Universities of Wisconsin logoThe UW System Board of Regents will meet in Room 1820 Van Hise Hall on Thursday, March 6.

Regents will begin their meeting with an introduction of Newly-appointed Regent Audrey Jenkins, an undergraduate student at UW-Parkside. Regent Jenkins was appointed to serve the remainder of the traditional student 2-year term held by UW-Green Bay student Evan Brenkus who graduated in December. She will serve through May, 2025.

Regents will then move into closed session to discuss three items:

  • Pending litigation relating to President Trump’s executive orders and the National Institutes of Health
  • A student request to review a UW-Madison decision
  • Chancellor personnel evaluations

Information on a Zoom link for the open portion of the meeting is here.