Content
IANR Liaison Committee Minutes
Tuesday, August 25th, 1-2:30 pm
Meeting held via zoom
Attendees: VC Boehm, AVC Bischoff, Azzeddine Azzam, Tracy Behnken, Mar-Grace Danao, Maria de Guzman, Ron Lewis, Stephen Wegulo, Carlos Urrea Florez, Anna Lowe (recorder)
Agenda:
- Introductions
- Committee charge
- Committee chair
- UNL and IANR budget
- Coronavirus update
- Continued efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion, including an Advisory group to the Vice Chancellor about systemic racism and inequality
Introductions
Each committee member provided a short introduction. VC Boehm and AVC Bischoff thanked the members of the Liaison Committee for their willingness to serve on the committee.
Committee’s Charge
The Liaison Committee is the only standing committee in the IANR bylaws. It has the responsibility of assisting the IANR Vice Chancellor and senior leadership team in navigating faculty issues. The most recent large issue that the committee has overseen is the discussion of an Institute-wide promotion and tenure committee. VC Boehm will meet with the committee at least once a semester and more if needed. The group will bring forward any issues important to the faculty and VC Boehm can ask for the committee’s input to work towards a common goal of making things better for the faculty. IANR has created a Staff Council modeled after this committee.
Committee Chair
The committee unanimously named Carlos Urea as the chair of the committee for the 2020-2021 term.
UNL and IANR Budget
VC Boehm explained that he has engaged the senior leadership team and center directors in the budget discussion. Unit leaders and center directors engaged faculty and staff in their units to have an open dialogue on what each unit/center could do locally to help with reductions. The IANR vice chancellor’s office along with the IANR deans used this feedback to put together budget reduction scenarios that were submitted to the chancellor’s office/president’s office. The Academic Planning Committee will also provide advice and thoughts to the Chancellor.
Budget reductions will take place over the next three fiscal years. UNL will have a $38 million (rounded) reduction and IANR will have a $10 million (rounded) reduction.
Continued efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion, including an Advisory group to the Vice Chancellor about systemic racism and inequality
IANR is committed to inclusive excellence. VC Boehm mentioned his meeting with the Extension Interest Group: Reaching One, Reaching All (RORA). Consistent with recommendations made by RORA and others, the senior leadership team will establish a committee/group to help the vice chancellor and senior leadership team in taking action with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The advisory group will make an important contribution among a constellation of other activities and initiatives occurring and being planned to decrease discrimination, in all its forms, and increase equity and inclusion. AVC Bischoff shared a proposal for the charge and membership of the group and invited the Liaison Committee to provide feedback and suggestions. AVC Bischoff indicated that he would hope for the group to have their first meeting by mid- to late September. VC Boehm explained that this advisory committee is part of a coordinated effort among a variety of initiatives and activities across IANR.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.
Distributed electronically to the IANR Liaison Committee for review