This email was sent by Dean Glenda Gillaspy on February 23.

Dear CALS Staff, Faculty and Graduate Students,

I’m writing today to share some updates about significant efforts underway to help improve the college’s climate and culture, including actions taken in response to the CALS climate survey, as well as ongoing efforts that are important – but generally go unseen. 

I’ll start by sharing the great work of our Equity and Diversity Committee, which is led by Tom Browne and Christelle Guédot, and is comprised of faculty, staff, post docs and graduate students committed to a strong college community. Last Fall, I tasked them with going through the results of the CALS climate survey, assessing the findings and coming up with areas for responsive actions by the college. With support from the Office of Strategic Consulting, they recently completed this task, developing a list of five recommended areas where work would help guide the college forward. I am sincerely grateful for the work of the committee, and proud to share their five recommendations that we will be addressing:

• Inclusive decision-making: The collective understanding that decisions are made proactively considering impact on individuals and units, support Shared Governance and are communicated clearly and in a timely manner.
• Psychological safety: An environment where people feel comfortable taking risks, sharing concerns, report issues and problems, share important feedback, and fail without retaliation. 
• Trust: The collective confidence that the organization’s processes and those in leadership roles will do what they purport with transparency.
• Transparency: The collective understanding of an organization’s operations, successes, and failures as a result of access to information and consistent communication.
• Accountable resolution: Conflict resolution processes that are clearly communicated and enacted fairly; ensuring accountability and protecting dignity for all parties.

The next steps for the college involve each individual unit (i.e. departments, centers and administrative units) developing a plan and/or actions to address one or more of these outcomes. We will be sharing more about this process over the next few months. In the meantime, I would like to point out a few instances where these guiding principles are already making an impact on how things operate within college administration, and the dean’s office specifically.

Starting this past fall, with the aim of bolstering transparency and trust, I started holding office hours that are open to any person who would like to come and talk with me, on any topic. So far, I have had the opportunity to visit with more than 15 community members, including faculty, staff and graduate students. I’ve met new people and learned about their work and why they’re excited about it. I’m hearing about people’s challenges, as well as new opportunities, and I’m answering questions. Sometimes there are actions I can take based on these conversations, but it’s been more about learning what members of our community are experiencing – what really matters to people.

Another strategic action being taken is the hiring of an associate dean for graduate education, a new college leadership position that will expand the service and support we provide to graduate students and postdoctoral trainees in our community. A key goal is to enhance the experience and success of these individuals, including through working with departments to advance best practices in mentoring and advising. The position will also provide coordination for students and faculty who need help with conflicts, and will advise CALS leadership on critical issues, including student climate.

Finally, in the spirit of transparency and accountable resolution, I would like to share some information about personnel issues. As a college, we have made, and will continue to make meaningful and measurable progress addressing concerns regarding accountability and the appropriate resolution of historical behaviors and issues within the college. While much of this work is not always visible, given the confidential and personnel-related nature of many matters, significant effort has gone into making positive steps forward. 

Since beginning my tenure as dean in August 2022, I have been presented with several complex and highly sensitive personnel matters involving faculty, staff, and students that have had direct or indirect impacts on our college climate. Each matter has been carefully reviewed, thoroughly investigated, and addressed in accordance with established campus policies and procedures, in partnership with appropriate campus offices. Where warranted, applicable personnel actions have been implemented.

We have taken personnel actions such as work directives and Letters of Expectation, which are generally intended to provide clear guidance and corrective direction. In more serious circumstances, particularly those involving egregious conduct, stronger measures, including extended suspension without pay or dismissal have been pursued to ensure an appropriate level of accountability.

I recognize the desire for greater transparency regarding accountable resolution within the college. When appropriate, we will continue to share information within the bounds of state and federal law, as well as campus policies and guidelines. Our goal remains to address concerns consistently, fairly, and effectively in a manner that fosters a safe, respectful, and professional academic environment for all members of our community.

Recent personnel outcomes reflect important progress, and I am confident that we are moving in the right direction. As your dean, I will continue to prioritize accountability and maintain transparency to the fullest extent legally permissible. 

As always, I remain committed to strengthening our college’s climate and culture. I stand firmly by the recommendations identified by the EDC, and I will continue to demonstrate this through my leadership and actions.

Sincerely, Glenda

Glenda Gillaspy
Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison
140 Ag Hall, 1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706