Category: Speeches & Communications

E-mails, speeches, addresses and public remarks from Chancellor Michael Alexander

Save the Date – October 7, UW-Green Bay Day of Service

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

Please save the date for the second annual UW-Green Bay Day of Service, Friday, October 7, 2022.

Guided by our six strategic priorities and the idea of an educated person, we are committed to enhancing our community connections and providing service to our local communities. We ask that you join us on this special day.

Faculty and staff have institution-wide approval to volunteer for 4 hours on work time during the UW-Green Bay Day of Service on October 7, 2022. Employees must have their volunteer hours agreed-upon between themselves and their supervisor to ensure adequate operational coverage. UW-Green Bay employees are not permitted to volunteer for political campaign activity or activities which endorse a specific religious theology on work time. If you have questions about the appropriateness of volunteer activity, please contact hr@uwgb.edu.  There will be no reimbursement for employee travel during Day of Service.

As we get closer to September, CUEGB.com will be updated to reflect the organized service opportunities associated with UW-Green Bay Day of Service. If you have a project that you’d like to organize for a course or department, please contact Katie Lesperance, lesperka@uwgb.edu, to include in CUEGB.com. You may also volunteer on your own at an agency that is important to you and track your hours afterward through CUEGB.com.

Only with your help can we expand on last year’s success to have an even more meaningful, impactful event in October.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Board of Regents on Green Bay Campus

Dear Faculty and Staff,

UW-Green Bay will be hosting the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System on August 17-19.  Thank you to our staff who are working hard to ensure that the meetings are successful.

Information about the meetings can be found at Itinerary – Board of Regents Meeting – UW-Green Bay (uwgb.edu).  The location for the meetings will primarily take place in the University Union, but there will also be a reception on Thursday afternoon in Wood Hall.  Normal activities for all campuses will not be disrupted; however, I wanted to make sure you were all aware as there will be many people from across the entire state seeing the UW-Green Bay campus for the first time since 2016.

We have much to be proud of and we look forward to sharing the great things that our students, faculty and staff are accomplishing at the meetings.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Resolved Incident at UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus

Dear Faculty and Staff,

The UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus was evacuated early this afternoon following a bomb threat called in to the Sheboygan Police Department. A search was conducted across the entire campus and thankfully, nothing of concern was located. We are grateful that everyone is safe and thank the Sheboygan campus community for responding to the threat safely and with respect for everyone on campus, including local law enforcement.

The safety and security of everyone on each of our campuses is a University priority. Today’s event reminds us of the importance of taking care of each other and being prepared. We recognize that with the threat on the Sheboygan campus today, faculty and staff members may be dealing with a great amount of stress and emotion. I encourage you to utilize our available University resources.

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Employee Assistance Program is a free, confidential service which can provide support for both personal and work-related concerns. The EAP may also assist with legal/financial situations or help with work-life balance. Employees have access to confidential, completely private, 24-hour, 7-days-a-week counseling and online services. Attached is a Critical Incident Tip Sheet that may be a helpful reference.

In light of today’s event, we also ask that you please become familiar with the University’s bomb threat protocol.

We take this incident seriously and appreciate everyone looking out for our Phoenix family.

Best,
Michael Alexander
Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Attachment: The Critical Incident Tip Sheet (pdf)

Greg Davis Retirement

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

This week Greg Davis will retire from UW-Green Bay.  We wanted to congratulate him on his retirement after 35 years of incredible service. Greg has had a significant impact on UW-Green Bay in the many roles he has served: Provost, Associate Provost, Unit Chair of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Professor of Mathematics.

He oversaw Academic Affairs through a pivotal time including establishing four colleges, a mission change, the creation of many new undergraduate and graduate programs, and the addition of locations in Manitowoc, Marinette, and Sheboygan. It is immediately clear when you talk to Greg that he loves UW-Green Bay. As a proud alum, Greg has always had a deep commitment to our institution, students, faculty, and staff.

We would like to thank Greg for his leadership in these various roles and for his service to UW-Green Bay. We wish him all the best as he embarks on this next step in his journey. His legacy at UW-Green Bay will be felt far into the future.

Best,
Mike and Kate

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Dr. Kate Burns
Provost, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Supreme Court Decision

Dear UW-Green Bay Students, Faculty, and Staff,

We live in complicated times and I think a lot about the role of a public university within the discourse of current events.  It is my firm belief that public higher education should provide space for all people to grow and develop as human beings, acquire knowledge, search for truth, and have the full freedom to display their values.  We must provide a place where civil discourse can lead up to and follow decisions that will impact the lives of the people we serve.

I understand that many of you are upset by the decision today from the Supreme Court.  I also understand that many of you will celebrate it.  Both sides have the right to display those feelings.  The issue of women’s rights is not a new one and the discussion that will follow today’s decision is healthy and essential to continue to try to improve the human condition for all.  We hold the ideal of diversity as a core value.  This means recognizing, honoring and respecting the individuality of thoughts, ideas, beliefs and perspectives.  Listening to and learning from diverse voices makes us stronger and moves us forward and closer to our enduring commitment to search for the truth.

As always, we will provide support to those who need it in difficult times and continue to empower all through education.  I am very proud of UW-Green Bay’s history and current practices to support women.  We will continue to do so in a way that provides space for all viewpoints.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Chancellor’s Office Restructure

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

Ben Joniaux, Cabinet Liaison for External Affairs, will be departing UW-Green Bay for a new job on May 13. Ben will leave a tremendous legacy here. His work to help us advocate the legislature for the new Cofrin Technology & Education Center brought the resources for the first major, fully state-funded capital project in over 20 years to come to UW-Green Bay. Ben has been a relentless proponent for us in local, tribal, and state government affairs as well as supporting myself, Chancellor Van Gruensven, and Chancellor Miller. He will be missed.

In a continuous effort to streamline the work we are doing administratively, we will not replace Ben’s position. Instead, Susan Grant Robinson will expand her role from Cabinet Liaison for Internal Affairs to Chief of Staff. This will allow Susan to focus the work we are doing to keep us on track with both internal and external endeavors in support of the mission of the university. Janet Bonkowski, will expand her role to include government relations.

Please join me in congratulating Ben on the next step in his career and supporting Susan and Janet in their new roles.

Best,
Michael Alexander
Chancellor

Funding from Governor Evers

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

UW-Green Bay will receive $975,000 in one-time funding this fiscal year from the $30 million to support higher education that Governor Evers announced in his recent State of the State Address.  This money is completely flexible in its use, which is rare in higher education.  As a result, we have decided to use the funds to give all ongoing, budgeted employees a $1,000 bonus. The payment will be effective on 4/10/2022 for those who have active appointments on that date. Employees will see the payment (which is subject to standard taxes and deductions) on their 5/5/2022 paycheck.

In addition, temporary employees (including ad hoc instructional staff) will be eligible for a prorated bonus payment to be determined by their area leader. If employees have questions about their bonus payment, they should contact their supervisor after May 5, 2022.

I will take my bonus and donate it to the UW-Green Bay Foundation to support need-based aid for students.  I encourage employees who have the means to consider using part or all of their bonus to support our students as well.

This payment does not adequately reflect the work that everyone here does, but it is a direct way that we can show our appreciation in ways other than just words.  The work that you do matters to our students and to the future of our region and the state.  Thank you.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

New Guidance Regarding the Expiration of Current COVID Protocols on March 1

Dear UW-Green Bay Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The mask mandate we have in place for UW-Green Bay’s COVID response expires at the end of February.  Due to the rapid downward trajectory of COVID cases and hospitalizations in our region, UW-Green Bay will end its mask mandate on March 1.  This decision applies to masking only; all other COVID protocols regarding quarantining, isolation, and staying home if you are sick remain in place at this time.

I do not come to this decision lightly.  I have visited with faculty, staff, and student governance to consult on the issue.  We enter this new phase of the pandemic in step with all public school districts in our region, the support of the UW System, and the knowledge that every county in Wisconsin intends to lift their mask mandate by March 1.

I ask the following things as we approach and move past March 1:

  1. The mask mandate is still in place until March 1 and should be followed.  We need to allow the numbers to continue to come down to ensure we do not jeopardize the direction we are headed in for the near future.
  2. I beg you to continue to have compassion for each other. This spirit is who we are as Phoenix. There are still people who are at significant risk if they contract COVID.  If someone that is required to be around you asks you to wear a mask in their presence, I ask that you do your best to honor their wishes.  Today’s decision does not ban masks, but allows for personal choices to be made regarding the precautions each of us will take moving forward.
  3. If the trajectory of the pandemic changes, we will reconsider our protocols, just as we have done throughout the last few years.

I know not everyone will agree with this decision. However, at every moment over the last two years we have listened to all opinions regarding our COVID protocols and tried to do what is right by UW-Green Bay.  As an institution, I believe this is the right step to take at this time.

Respectfully,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

New UW System President

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

As you have probably heard, Jay Rothman has been named the next president of the University of Wisconsin System. I am excited to work with President Rothman in his new role. His immense leadership experience and belief in the importance of education will be an asset to advocate for the needs of higher education during his tenure.

I greatly anticipate the opportunity to update President Rothman on the incredible things happening at UW-Green Bay and why our mission is resonating so strongly. We look forward to working with him to further strengthen our university and thereby contribute to the overall success of the UW System.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor

COVID Testing

Dear UW-Green Bay Faculty and Staff,

Thanks to the great work of everyone on our COVID Response Team, we have been able to secure voluntary antigen COVID testing for faculty and staff. Please make appointments at the Wellness Center on the Green Bay campus, beginning
Monday, January 24, through the MyPrevea app.

We will not be able to provide confirmatory PCR tests for positive cases so we ask anyone with any COVID symptoms to not come in-person to work. If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, please consult with your supervisor to temporarily telecommute or use sick leave.

Best,

Michael Alexander
Chancellor