Breakups are always hard, and UW-Madisons request for a split from the rest of the UW System through the proposed New Badger Partnership has evoked passions worthy of an epic love affair. Of course, in every breakup, friends are asked to take sides, and one might fairly ask whose side Madisons and Wisconsins business communities should be on.
Category: Chancellor
Campus Connection: Compromise plan in works for UW-Madison split
Capital Times
Rep. Pat Strachota, R-West Bend, is working on a compromise proposal that could keep UW-Madison within the University of Wisconsin System — but would grant Wisconsin?s flagship institution its own board within the Board of Regents. The details of how such a body might be set up and operate, however, remain in the development stage.
Madison360: Barrett steps up, but for another shot at Walker?
“What I saw early this year (in Madison) was not our Wisconsin. You clearly had ideological forces trying to divide rather than bring us together.”
Another example of dividing people is Walker?s effort to try to split the “flagship university” from the rest of the system, a reference to the plan Walker developed with UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin to separate the UW-Madison campus from the rest of the UW System. Walker is acting more as a king than a governor, according to a Barrett speech line.
Campus Connection: UW student government ‘neutral’ on New Badger Partnership
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison?s student government voted Saturday to stress it neither supports nor opposes Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to grant Wisconsin?s flagship institution public authority status and break it away from the rest of the UW System.
The 18th session of the Associated Students of Madison?s Student Council passed a resolution which reads, in part, that it “remains neutral on the New Badger Partnership until the 18th session feels sufficient dialogue with (the) student body has been accomplished.”
Harry Peterson: Proposed UW System split is bad for UW-Madison
Capital Times
….the chancellor is pushing a new argument, insisting that the only way to save UW-Madison from certain peril is to split from the UW System, creating an independent governing structure for the flagship campus. This is a major departure from the earlier argument, and many people think it is a bad idea ? both for UW-Madison and the other UW campuses.
I write as a longtime administrator at the UW-Madison and former chief of staff to Chancellor Donna Shalala. For eight of those years, I spent a great deal of time lobbying in the state Capitol for the university. I strongly agree that the restrictions on construction, hiring and budgeting should be changed. A separate governing board for the UW-Madison, however, would be harmful to my university.
Chancellor: No concealed carry on UW campus
Capital Times
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin is urging state lawmakers to exempt university property from any legislation allowing residents to legally carry concealed weapons.
“All grounds and facilities are already off-limits to the open carry law currently in effect,” Martin said in a news release Thursday. “It is a long-held tradition that no weapons should be allowed on campus.”
Aaron M. Brower: Why UW-Madison needs more flexibility
Capital Times
Granting public authority status to the University of Wisconsin-Madison would help us provide a better, richer and more valuable experience for our 29,000 undergraduate students. With public authority, we would offer more of the kinds of educational experiences that students ? and employers ? want us to provide.
On Campus: University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor reaches out to 130,000 alumni by phone
Wisconsin State Journal
About 130,000 UW-Madison alumni in the state of Wisconsin got a recorded message from Chancellor Biddy Martin last night, inviting them to take part in a Tele-Town Hall. Paid for by the Wisconsin Alumni Association, alumni who stayed on the line could take part in a one-hour conversation with Martin about the budget proposal for public authority status for UW-Madison, known as the New Badger Partnership.
Madison360: Biddy Martin has right diagnosis but the wrong remedy
Capital Times
First, let?s pause to celebrate. Over the past two decades, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has come to deserve the descriptor ?world-class research institution,? one that attracts more than $1 billion per year in grants.
And let?s stipulate to this: Really smart people agree that to protect and extend UW?s top-tier stature, its chancellor and other campus leaders need to have operational flexibility to compete in the global arena. And, further, let?s agree that other UW System schools would benefit from freedoms scaled to their situations.
….Martin clearly believes in her cause, that only through her version of change can UW-Madison succeed as an international player, but it appears to be time to punt.
UW?s players should let bygones be bygones and hope that the university?s brain trust ? which aptly describes the intellect and energy on campus ? can reunite to effectively confront the grave threat posed by dwindling state financial support and Capitol meddling.
So let?s applaud Martin for placing the issue in the brightest of lights and then turn quickly to achieving greater flexibility not only for UW-Madison but for the entire system, keenly mindful that Madison is vastly different from other schools.
Quoted: Former UW-Madison chancellor John Wiley.
Oregon proposal mirrors new Wisconsin model
Badger Herald
Wisconsin and Oregon have more in common than most residents of the states would admit.
Mills: Understanding (or not) the New Badger Partnership
Isthmus
On Tuesday I finally had a chance to take in some of the new Union South in person and it is, as I?ve been reading for weeks now, quite lovely. The design is sleek and modern without feeling sterile. There are multiple food options encompassing a decent range of health and diet options. Students were seated everywhere, working on laptops or noses buried in books.
UW explains model as crunch time nears
Badger Herald
As public rhetoric surrounding the New Badger Partnership continues to dominate conversations on campus, Chancellor Biddy Martin and other University of Wisconsin officials offered the campus community another chance to voice their concerns with the new model.
Emily’s Post: Understanding (or not) the New Badger Partnership
Isthmus
On Tuesday I finally had a chance to take in some of the new Union South in person and it is, as I?ve been reading for weeks now, quite lovely. The design is sleek and modern without feeling sterile. There are multiple food options encompassing a decent range of health and diet options. Students were seated everywhere, working on laptops or noses buried in books.
Residents sound off on state budget (Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune)
Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to split the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the UW System would be good for cranberry growers, an industry leader told three local lawmakers Tuesday.
Carpenter: Autonomy allows Madison campus to compete
Superior Telegram
Freshwaters are Wisconsin?s crown jewel. Lakes and rivers of our forests and farmlands provide natural beauty, fisheries, water sports and other benefits. Bordered by two Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, and with thousands of inland lakes and streams, Wisconsin is truly a place where land, people and water meet.
Martin, TAA debate NBP
Daily Cardinal
The Teaching Assistant Association and United Council invited Chancellor Biddy Martin and 10 other University of Wisconsin affiliates to debate the controversial New Badger Partnership with them Tuesday.
Ed Clarke: Biddy Martin?s bold vision for UW-Madison needed now more than ever
Wisconsin State Journal
Downtown Madison Inc. has a keen interest in the current debate over the future of UW-Madison. The urban center of the city and the university at its heart have been intimately linked since the founding of Wisconsin. At a recent meeting, DMI?s board of directors expressed unanimous support for Chancellor Biddy Martin?s New Badger Partnership.
UW System?s future unsure
Badger Herald
Tempers flared during a panel debate Tuesday as multiple groups who have been outspoken opponents to the New Badger Partnership united to question the future of the University of Wisconsin System.
Martin, TAA debate NBP
Daily Cardinal
The Teaching Assistant Association and United Council invited Chancellor Biddy Martin and 10 other University of Wisconsin affiliates to debate the controversial New Badger Partnership with them Tuesday.
UW students, faculty debate New Badger Partnership model
WKOW-TV 27
A proposal to divide UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin system is dividing university leaders, faculty, and students.
On Campus: Panel to debate public authority status for University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuesday
Wisconsin State Journal
A discussion Tuesday will look at the plan to make the university a public authority.
The panel, A Critical Look at the New Badger Partnership, is sponsored by the Teaching Assistants’ Association and United Council and will be held at 3 p.m. in Varsity Hall I of Union South. Update on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m.: The T.A.A. said UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin will not be attending this event because of a health issue. The university will reportedly send another representative in her proxy.
UW’s faculty senate votes in favor of UW System split
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison?s faculty senate voted Monday to support public authority status for the university, a controversial budget proposal that would split the flagship university from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System. In doing so, they answered a call from UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, who sought support for the plan from the campus, in the face of opposition from others in the UW System.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison faculty senate backs split from system
Capital Times
With the 2010-11 academic year winding to a close, UW-Madison?s faculty senate passed a resolution supporting Gov. Scott Walker?s controversial proposal to award Wisconsin?s flagship institution some long sought freedoms from state oversight by granting it public authority status and breaking it away from the UW System.
“I am very happy about the senate?s support of the public authority model,” UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin — who was unable to attend Monday evening?s meeting at Bascom Hall due to a “health problem” — said in an email to the Cap Times. “I appreciate the hard work of the University Committee and the serious deliberations of the faculty.”
Chancellor discusses Badger Partnership with students
Daily Cardinal
Amid divided opinions on the proposed New Badger Partnership on campus, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin met with students and community members Friday to discuss their concerns about the proposal.
Martin faces tough crowd at 2nd forum
Badger Herald
Students gathered in the hallway outside Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office in Bascom Hall Friday to urge the University of Wisconsin?s chief executive to plot an alternate course for the school?s future.
Martin faces tough crowd at 2nd forum
Badger Herald
Students gathered in the hallway outside Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office in Bascom Hall Friday to urge the University of Wisconsin?s chief executive to plot an alternate course for the school?s future.
Chancellor Remains Confident In Plan To Spin Off UW-Madison
WISC-TV 3
Critics of a plan to split the University of Wisconsin-Madison off from the rest of the UW System believe they are gaining traction as lawmakers express their doubts, but UW-Madisons chancellor says she remains confident.
Chancellor online: PR guru or genuine Twitter extraordinaire?
Badger Herald
This Monday, in a not-at-all out of character message, Biddy Martin tweeted ?@alison1690,? ?I like the opportunity to learn about and communicate with students in a medium you find appealing.? The next day, our chancellor held an impromptu discussion with student protesters occupying Bascom Hall. Coincidence? Political savvy? Biddy being Biddy?
Giving the UW-Madison more freedom makes sense
Isthmus
Since I graduated from the UW-Madison last May, my sense of attachment to the university has actually increased. Still, I couldnt help but feel like a poseur as I filled out a Wisconsin Alumni Association membership form online.
Wis. Veterans Board asks for 3 legislative changes (WTAQ News)
The Wisconsin Veterans? Affairs Board has asked legislators to make three major changes in the proposed state budget. It took issue with the governor?s plan to split UW Madison from the rest of the university system.
Chancellor online: PR guru or genuine Twitter extraordinaire?
Badger Herald
This Monday, in a not-at-all out of character message, Biddy Martin tweeted ?@alison1690,? ?I like the opportunity to learn about and communicate with students in a medium you find appealing.? The next day, our chancellor held an impromptu discussion with student protesters occupying Bascom Hall. Coincidence? Political savvy? Biddy being Biddy?
Students protest UW-Madison split with Bascom Hall sit-in
Capital Times
UW-Madison students showed their displeasure over a proposed split of the main campus from the UW system by staging a sit-in in Bascom Hall Tuesday afternoon outside of Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office.
The chancellor met with about 100 students and staff for about 90 minutes at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, talking about the New Badger Partnership, a plan to give UW-Madison “public authority” status by splitting it from the other schools in the system.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison chancellor meets with student protesters
Capital Times
A group of more than 60 students convinced Biddy Martin to come out of her Bascom Hall office Tuesday afternoon to chat about the state budget and future of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With five members of the UW Police Department looking on, the students and UW-Madison chancellor held a sometimes tense but mostly friendly conversation in a first-floor hallway.
Some Republican leaders break with Walker over budget cuts (AP)
Wisconsin State Journal
Republican leaders of the Legislature?s budget-writing committee indicated Tuesday that they will break with Gov. Scott Walker on some parts of his two-year spending plan, including removing the requirement and money for local recycling efforts and changing the popular SeniorCare prescription drug program. They spoke before the Joint Finance Committee began taking votes on changes to Walker?s first budget. Committee co-chair Robin Vos (R-Racine) has said it was “highly unlikely” the committee will go along with Walker?s plan to break the Madison campus off from the UW System. That issue has divided both the Madison campus and the university system, with other campuses and UW President Kevin Reilly arguing against it. They, and some lawmakers, have argued that all 14 four-year campuses in the system should have the same autonomy that Walker is proposing for Madison. Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has argued strenuously for the plan, saying it was necessary for the flagship campus to deal with a $125 million cut Walker is proposing — half of the $250 million cut Walker wants for the entire university system.
UW Students protest Badger Partnership
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW)–Police at the University of Wisconsin were called to Bascom Hall on Tuesday evening after a group of protesters refused to leave the building.
Students Protest UW-Madison Split At Bascom Hall
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Madison students and campus community members are engaging in a sit-in at Bascom Hall to protest the idea of splitting UW-Madison from the rest of the UW System.
On Campus: On two ends of State Street, two sides of UW-Madison debate
On opposite ends of State Street, two student groups with radically different viewpoints will voice their opinions today about the proposal to split UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin System. At Bascom Hall at 1 p.m., students will protest the budget proposal to make UW-Madison into a public authority. The group, including members of the Student Labor Action Coalition, will hold a mock auction to signify what they say is a handover of the university to private special interests. Bascom Hall is where UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office is located. About a mile away, at the state Capitol, students in favor the proposal will lobby legislators, said Jon Alfuth, a coordinator of Students for the New Badger Partnership.
Tom Still column: University of Wisconsin changes are necessary
Appleton Post-Crescent
Members of the Legislature?s budget-writing committee have signaled they?re approaching information overload when it comes to the proposed separation of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the rest of the UW System. Is there a way, key lawmakers have asked, to construct a phased plan for giving the university more freedom to run its own affairs?
Administrative Excellence initiative Biddy?s back-up plan
Badger Herald
Last week was bad for the New Badger Partnership?s prospects in the state Legislature. Reps. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Robin Vos, R-Burlington, each said they had doubts that the University of Wisconsin-Madison will garner the votes to split from the UW System, casting a pall over Chancellor Biddy Martin?s hard-won successes thus far.
Research debate hits close to home
Wisconsin State Journal
While opposition to the use of animals in research has gained momentum in Madison in recent years, there has been little change involving the use of monkeys and other animals in scientific studies.The efforts of local animal rights activists have been buoyed by high-profile cases at UW-Madison, where two federal agencies found violations of animal care requirements and a researcher was suspended over her treatment of monkeys in 2009. Last year, a UW-Madison committee approved a statement essentially saying research is ethical given local and federal oversight. UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin called the use of animals in scientific research “indispensable, because of its life-saving benefits to human health,” saying, “Wisconsin would not be the leader in the stem-cell universe without animal research, nor would stem cell research anywhere hold the promise it now does.”
Administrative Excellence initiative Biddy?s back-up plan
Badger Herald
Last week was bad for the New Badger Partnership?s prospects in the state Legislature. Reps. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Robin Vos, R-Burlington, each said they had doubts that the University of Wisconsin-Madison will garner the votes to split from the UW System, casting a pall over Chancellor Biddy Martin?s hard-won successes thus far.
Martin not giving up on UW split despite lack of support
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON WKOW — A leading Republican lawmaker says there is not enough support among legislators to pass Governor Scott Walker?s proposal to split off Madison from the rest of the UW system, but UW chancellor Biddy Martin remains confident the split will go through.
….Chancellor Martin gave a passionate plea to the Madison Rotary Club (Wednesday). She says UW Madison is one of the top research universities in the world and unique with in the UW system.
David Berg: Code-filled statement shows danger of New Badger Partnership
Capital Times
Dear Editor: The danger of the New Badger Partnership can be found in the coded language of University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin. The NBP would literally make the UW ?open for business.?
UW?s fundraising future
Badger Herald
As uncertainty surrounding Chancellor Biddy Martin?s proposed Badger Partnership continues to grow, members of the university?s administration and University of Wisconsin Foundation leadership have already begun making provisions to use many of the university?s proposed flexibilities to increase fundraising earnings for UW.
On Campus: Separate bill is needed for UW System autonomy, Rep. Nass says
Wisconsin State Journal
The proposal to split UW-Madison from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System should be taken out of the budget and the state Legislature should instead work on a separate bill to give all UW System campuses flexibility, said Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater.
UW System split not likely to move forward, lawmakers say
Wisconsin State Journal
Lawmakers expressed doubt this week that Gov. Scott Walker?s budget proposal to split UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin System has the support to move forward.
“I think its highly unlikely that the Legislature at this time is ready to grant that authority,” said Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, co-chair of the state Legislature?s powerful budget committee.
New Badger Partnership student group forms
Daily Cardinal
While differing opinions bombard the state concerning the New Badger Partnership, some UW-Madison students have formed a group to show their support for the proposed change to the UW system.
On Campus: Legislator says UW-Madison split may be ‘too big’ for budget
Wisconsin State Journal
Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington, and a co-chairman of the Legislature?s budget committee, said on Upfront with Mike Gousha on Sunday that Gov. Walker?s vision to spin off UW-Madison from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System may be too big “to digest in one budget cycle.” “I am positive that we are going to give some additional flexibility, but probably not go all the way to allow Madison to spin off and set its own tuition and all the things without more oversight.”
UW System split battle wearing on Biddy
Wisconsin State Journal
(This story appeared first in the Sunday edition of the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper.)
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin looked out at the room of faculty and explained once again why she wants to break the state?s flagship university away from the University of Wisconsin System. But this time, she went off script.
“If you feel like you can?t get behind this, you just need to let me know,” she said at the end of a two-hour Faculty Senate meeting this month. “Because, you know what? I?m tired. If I?m out there completely on my own, I need to know that so that I can make the choices that will be best for the university.”
Chancellor Remains Confident In Plan To Spin Off UW-Madison
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — Critics of a plan to split the University of Wisconsin-Madison off from the rest of the UW System believe they are gaining traction as lawmakers express their doubts, but UW-Madison?s chancellor says she remains confident.
Scott Milfred: Take your pick in UW split — Gov. Scott Walker or Rep. Steve Nass
Wisconsin State Journal
Chancellor Biddy Martin and Gov. Scott Walker are an odd pair pushing to give UW-Madison autonomy.
Campus Connection: Student privacy vs. freedom of information
Capital Times
When UW-Madison released some emails of professor William Cronon to the state Republican Party earlier this month following a much-hyped open records request, the university withheld correspondence with students, citing federal privacy laws.
“We are excluding records involving students because they are protected under FERPA,” UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin wrote to the campus community in explaining why some of Cronon?s emails were not given to the state GOP.
MIU awards $4 million in final round of grants to 19 departments
Daily Cardinal
The Madison Initiative for Undergraduates granted $4 million to 19 projects Tuesday in its third and final round of funding. The funding includes grants for faculty, student service and academic support projects.
Final MIU funds bolster advising programs
Badger Herald
Two years and $16 million later, University of Wisconsin officials announced the final round of Madison Initiative for Undergraduates funding decisions Tuesday.
Campus Connection: Union South, partisan media and faculty lines
Capital Times
** The new Union South will celebrate its grand opening on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on Friday.
** UW-Madison announced Tuesday how it plans to use $4 million raised through its Madison Initiative for Undergraduates, a program championed by Chancellor Biddy Martin and funded through a supplemental tuition charge.
UW System needs to compromise
The future of UW-Madison?s authority model grows hazier as Chancellor Biddy Martin finds her brainchild gridlocked between UW System officials and the Wisconsin state Legislature. As evidenced by her e-mail sent to UW-Madison students last Thursday, Martin?s attempts to implement the New Badger Partnership?a plan to increase UW-Madison?s flexibility through the establishment of a public authority model that would break the university from the UW System?are growing increasingly desperate. Although Martin earned the support of Gov. Scott Walker in his proposed biennial budget, the idea of Wisconsin?s most prestigious and economically viable research institution stripping away from the UW System has sister universities and the Board of Regents disconcerted.
Editorial: UW System needs to compromise
Daily Cardinal
The future of UW-Madison?s authority model grows hazier as Chancellor Biddy Martin finds her brainchild gridlocked between UW System officials and the Wisconsin state Legislature. As evidenced by her e-mail sent to UW-Madison students last Thursday, Martin?s attempts to implement the New Badger Partnership?a plan to increase UW-Madison?s flexibility through the establishment of a public authority model that would break the university from the UW System?are growing increasingly desperate.
Gary L. Kriewald: Memorial Union next?
Wisconsin State Journal
Monday?s article on the new Union South describes it all too accurately as an opulent playground. This $95 million extravaganza was approved by a slim percentage of the student body in an election so rigged by the administration it would have made Stalin blush. UW-Madison?s potentates have decreed that Memorial Union, which already qualifies as a palace by any reasonable standard, will also be “improved” to the tune of millions.
On Campus: Some students question UW-Madison chancellor’s “call for action”
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin is asking for back-up support on the plan to split the university from the rest of the UW System. She sent a letter for faculty, staff and students encouraging them to reach out to lawmakers in support of the proposal, called the New Badger Partnership. But the co-president of the Teaching Assistants? Association — which opposes the controversial plan — questioned the chancellor?s message.
Campus Connection: Martin urges public authority backers to be heard
Capital Times
Chancellor Biddy Martin sent an email to members of the campus community on Wednesday urging those who support public authority status for UW-Madison — as outlined in Gov. Scott Walker?s 2011-13 budget proposal — to “speak out as individuals, citizens and taxpayers.”
At Monday?s UW-Madison Faculty Senate meeting at Bascom Hall, Martin said she was getting weary pressing for this proposal on her own, and asked for more backing from faculty. She added that if people on campus want no part of public authority status, they also need to let her know.