Faculty Senate – Executive Committee

Minutes

Monday, November 10, 2025

Attendance: Rob Godby (Chair 2025-2026), Vladimir Alvarado (Secretary), Tiger Robison (Member-at-Large), Greg Cawley (Member-at-Large), Brad Rettler (Member-at-Large), Ray Stuart Fertig III (Chair-Emeritus).

Absent: Ashley Hope Carlisle (Member-at-Large)

Guest(s): Mandy Gifford (Office of the Provost), Jonathan Carrier (Chair, Committee-on-Committees).

Meeting called to order at 12:35pm.

Motion called to approve the agenda, seconded, carried.

Motion called to approve the minutes of November 3rd, 2025; seconded and carried.

Chairs Report:

The Shared Governance Working Group is proceeding to draft their report to the trustees. Chair noted that they are looking for more input from the staff perspective. Chair further noted that the trustee body in and of itself is not necessarily very representative of higher education in general and the population of Wyoming. Chair also noted that the Faculty Senate might desire to make some commentary added to the report noting the lack of executive leadership in the recent week. Specifically, as it relates to the Pumpkin Incident, which refers to carved pumpkins being found on campus with antisemitic slogans. Chair described learning about the incident and the steps he undertook, noting the lack of comment from President Seidel. Chair Godby provided a report on the nature of the meeting that occurred between President Seidel and the bodies of the three Senates that represent the University community, including providing particulars about attendance and the flow of the conversation. Chair expressed considerable frustration over the lack of response from President Seidel, further commenting that the President expressed uncertainty about whether a statement should be issued from his office. Chair expressed considerable disappointment over the lack of leadership considering the antisemitic slogans and the potential for harm to campus. Chair expressed concern about President Seidel’s lack of judgement, and further concerns about the future direction of the University under Seidel’s leadership. MAL Rettler and Robison each asked questions and/or provided some feedback in response to Chair Godby’s comments.

Chair Godby then provided an update regarding the director of SER, Holly Krutka, Director of SER , whose resignation became official this morning. Chair Godby also provided preliminary information about the resignation of the Ombudsman.

Chair Godby provided a report about two of the large-ticket items, including pay raises for employee’s, noting that the inflationary pressures on the UW employee represent a 12-13% pay cut. Chair further noted that the institution currently has a 6-million-dollar operating budget deficit. It is therefore likely that campus will be weathering a financial storm with the coming legislative session and that hard choices will need to be made in the future. Chair Godby noted the importance of preparing for budget shifts, and to be out in front of the problem that is coming. Ray Fertig offered some commentary about the value of Institutional Marketing, and provided some insights based on his own observation and analysis. It was further noted that the tuition rates at the university have risen 68% in the last ten years, and despite this increase, enrollment remains somewhat flat.

Chair Godby further noted that General Counsel will not be proposing any further SAPs, until further notice.

Other Business:

Jonathan Carrier then addressed the Executive Committee regarding the work, charges, and governing rules for the Faculty Senate committees. Jonathan Carrier noted that most of the committees are regarded as a tepid investment by the faculty due to administration devaluing the work of the committees. Chair Godby noted that they are continuing to receive input from various individuals. Chair noted the potential of making the Budget Committee a sub-committee to the Academic Planning Committee, making the awards committee a sub-committee for the Faculty Academic Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities committee. Jonathan Carrier noted the need for a greater sense of intent behind the committee members, who have experience in the subject matter or actual intended work of the committee. Chair Godby asked for further input from members of the executive committee. It was further noted by Jonathan Carrier that the Committee on Committee, has a very small workload, and most of the work falls on the chair of the committee rather than on the committee as a whole. Chair Godby noted that pending future information being provided, it is likely that rewriting Regulation 301, which governs the operation of the Executive Committee and the formulation of the rest of the committees.

Faculty Senate Coordinator provided an update about the new Zoom meeting efforts.

Motion to adjourn at 2:02pm; seconded, carried.