The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents wrote a letter to Chancellor Biddy Martin Tuesday in which they declared her proposed split of UW-Madison from the UW System “a radical departure from earlier statements about administrative flexibility and efficiency.”
The UW Board of Regents will hold a special meeting Friday morning to discuss the possible separation of UW-Madison from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System. Calling for a “public conversation,” UW System leaders told UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin in a letter Tuesday that the effects of splitting off the flagship university would ripple across the state.
When it comes to details about the New Badger Partnership, Chancellor Biddy Martin has been talking in generalities for nearly a year. Martin has continually called for drastic measures to help cushion the possibility of large cuts to university funding?measures she vaguely described as “flexibility” and “increased tools.” However, when a memo with specifics about the possible shape of the New Badger Partnership was released last week, it seemed as if behind-the-door details that had built up for months were finally made public.
University of Wisconsin System administrators and chancellors are frustrated with a proposal to remove the system?s flagship school, UW-Madison, from the system.
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin took to Twitter Monday night to answer questions about her mission for more freedom from state regulations – known as the New Badger Partnership – and the possibility of UW-Madison splitting from the rest of the UW System. Here are some selected questions and answers, in 140 characters or less.
When it comes to details about the New Badger Partnership, Chancellor Biddy Martin has been talking in generalities for nearly a year. Martin has continually called for drastic measures to help cushion the possibility of large cuts to university funding?measures she vaguely described as “flexibility” and “increased tools.” However, when a memo with specifics about the possible shape of the New Badger Partnership was released last week, it seemed as if behind-the-door details that had built up for months were finally made public.
A member of the UW System?s Board of Regents is calling on Chancellor Biddy Martin to “withdraw her support” for UW-Madison being spun off from the rest of the UW System. Tom Loftus, who has served on the Board of Regents since June of 2005, made the statement in a letter e-mailed to The Capital Times.
In a phone conversation Monday, Loftus said he?s disappointed that Martin never told the Regents — even though she has known for more than a month — that Gov. Scott Walker?s 2011-13 budget proposal would likely contain a provision that would not only give UW-Madison some key flexibilities and freedoms, but split the university from the UW System.
What stuns me is why UW Chancellor Biddy Martin and the UW Board of Regents would approve salary increases for football coaches at the same time that other UW staff members were informed their salaries will be cut.
Area teachers are setting a bad example for our children by skipping class. So many Madison teachers called in ?sick? for work that school officials canceled classes for a third straight day Friday…Those teachers who have ditched on their classes for one, two or in the case of the Madison district, three days should learn from another educator: UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin. Martin has kept UW-Madison open for educating young people despite this week?s dramatic demonstrations and politicking just blocks from her campus. Martin wrote on her Twitter account Wednesday night: The ?political process is very important, but this should not come at the cost of instruction.
University of Wisconsin System leaders fear that Gov. Scott Walker will spin off the flagship UW-Madison campus from the rest of the UW System.
UW-Madison chancellor Biddy Martin is speaking out about what she calls misleading headlines about the UW?s hope for a new partnership with the state.
A January memo containing explicit details on the University of Wisconsin?s plan for increased flexibility was a hypothetical response to hypothetical questions, Chancellor Biddy Martin said Thursday.
After being accused of misleading students regarding the proposed split from the UW System, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin held a press conference Thursday in hopes of dispelling what she deems inaccurate rumors.
So, I was initially going to wait and blog this after the Senate voted on the Budget Repair Bill, but seeing as how events today are stacking up, that won?t happen soon.
?New Badger Partnership is 100% necessary to ensure the survival of UW-Madison as we know it. The question becomes this: do you want Biddy Martin in control of UW or people like Scott Walker? I?ll take the one with at least a B.A.
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin sent an e-mail Wednesday night to the UW System?s Board of Regents, and to other chancellors across the system, asking them not to oppose Wisconsin?s flagship university breaking away from the system.
The UW System is calling for Gov. Scott Walker to incorporate in his soon-to-be-introduced state budget an overhaul of the system?s ties to state government. The overhaul would allow the system greater control over setting tuition ? likely leading to ?significant increases,? says one expert ? as well as budgeting, purchasing and management of capital projects.
Leaders of the University of Wisconsin and UW System responded to the governor?s rumored budget plan which would separate the Madison campus from the other schools in the UW System.
Dear Members of the Board of Regents:
I write to explain why I have ventured as far as I have in promoting the ?New Badger Partnership? and why I have taken the steps I have taken. Let me begin by expressing my deep respect for the Regents, for your role in coordinating the campuses of the system, and for your efforts to do what you think best for all of our institutions.
A memo from University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin to a state official alludes Martin had prior knowledge of Gov. Scott Walker?s intent to provide UW with more flexibility.
Gov. Scott Walker?s budget may contain a provision to split UW-Madison from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System.
Education leaders in Wisconsin said Wednesday that the forthcoming two-year state budget Gov. Scott Walker will propose next week will lead to cuts that could spell the end of Milwaukee Public Schools as we know it and changes University of Wisconsin leaders say could split the flagship Madison campus off the university system.
The Teaching Assistant Association (TAA) calls on Chancellor Biddy Martin to take a strong stance in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker?s budget repair bill. Her response to the bill to this point has been anything but.
University of Wisconsin System leaders sent a letter to Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday expressing concern that parts of his proposed 2011-13 biennial budget might remove UW-Madison from the UW System.
The letter is signed by UW System President Kevin Reilly, UW Board of Regents President Charles Pruitt and board VP Michael Spector. It notes “we want to express strong concerns about this significant restructuring, especially without broad consultation and careful deliberation.”
Catching up on a couple items related to Gov. Scott Walker?s proposed budget repair bill …
** After remaining mostly silent, at least publicly, on the governor?s proposal, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin on Monday e-mailed a letter to the campus community which outlines her thoughts on the issue.
** UW-Madison chemistry professor Judith Burstyn is hoping to testify at Tuesday?s public hearing on the budget repair bill.
** UW-Madison professor Greg Downey published an interesting blog post in which notes his “own reactions to these budget proposals.”
The two major research universities in the state of Wisconsin recommitted Monday to keep research channels between the two schools open.
University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst were rewarded on Friday with pay raises and one-year extensions on their contracts, which should help keep in place two of the key components to the Badgers? recent success. The UW Board of Regents approved the amended employment agreements in a closed session.
The state of Wisconsin faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit in the coming 2011-13 biennium. Gov. Scott Walker will undoubtedly approve deep cuts across the board, including slashing education dollars for institutions like UW-Madison. To offset dwindling state funding, Chancellor Biddy Martin is taking steps to ensure the university remains nationally competitive while accommodating for tough economic circumstances.
Biddy Martin?s actions to hire a firm for what is estimated to be $3 million dollars is not the wise way of figuring out how to save money.
UW-Madison is moving forward with plans to hire an outside consulting firm to determine if the university is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible, Chancellor Biddy Martin said at Monday night?s faculty senate meeting at Bascom Hall.
“I think we need to be able to assure the public that we?re doing what we can to be organized in the most effective way,” says Martin, who stresses the study will focus on “administrative functions” and not academic programs.
With the United States? threatened economic dominance in the world becoming an increasingly debated topic, members of the University of Wisconsin administration met with students Thursday night to offer insight into the rapid changes affecting millions of Americans.
With the snow light and fluffy ? not ideal for making snowballs ? Zach Sheridan resorted to what he called “the shovel technique.” “It?s like a free-for-all,” said the UW-Madison freshman as he loaded a cafeteria tray with snow, then charged into the fray with a primal yell of “Lakeshore!” In what is becoming an annual tradition at UW-Madison, students used a rare day of canceled classes to congregate on Bascom Hill for a massive snowball fight. Chancellor Biddy Martin stood at the top of Bascom Hill and looked on, as a steady stream of students thanked her for the snow day and asked to take her photo.
Have the inevitable discussion about rising tuition with one of your well-informed peers, and chances are they?ll read you a veritable riot act of legislative abuses that the state?s flagship school did nothing to deserve: prison spending now totals roughly three-quarters of education funding, and state support of UW-Madison, currently hovering around 18 percent, is at an all-time low.
With the due date for the New Badger Partnership Advisory Committee?s recommendations for the chancellor quickly approaching, members worked to solidify a final document of principles for the Faculty Senate?s consideration.
After officials from both the University of Wisconsin and the Beijing Sport University hailed the Chinese Champions Program a success, the decision to extend the program for an additional three years will coincide with the release of a film documenting the athletes? experiences.
CHINESE CHAMPIONS: A 30-minute program, “Beijing Badgers,” will feature a group of Olympic-caliber Chinese students, athletes and coaches who lived and studied at UW-Madison this fall. It will air on the Big Ten Network at noon Tuesday.
Approximately 70 students gathered at a forum Monday as administrators explained the general goals of the New Badger Partnership and addressed students? concerns with the proposed state relationship model.
Chancellor Biddy Martin outlined her vision for the New Badger Partnership and addressed student concerns Monday night during a forum hosted by the Associated Students of Madison.
Around this time last semester, the University of Wisconsin administration introduced the idea for the New Badger Partnership, an equivocal vision of the university?s future, to the campus.
John Wiley still gets worked up when talking about the time he ?literally spent weeks? getting permission from the state to buy Clorox bleach.
Even though it?s just past New Year?s Day, readers at UW-Madison are already thinking about books for the next academic year. UW-Madison?s common book program, Go Big Read, is accepting nominations for next year?s selection. Make suggestions quickly, though – the deadline is midnight on Thursday, Jan. 6. Nominations can be made at www.gobigread.wisc.edu/nominate.html.
Noted: UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin: What do you give a Big Ten Conference chancellor whose football team is playing in the Rose Bowl? How about a new research building to rival anything on the East or West coasts? Nope, she?s already got that: It?s called the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. What Martin really needs is management flexibility for a campus unlikely to see a state budget increase. A gift certificate for yoga lessons will help her limber up.
UW-Madison will get $20 million for research and education in the humanities – $10 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and $10 million from the state of Wisconsin. The Mellon grant required a match of state funds, which Gov. Jim Doyle agreed to commit.
As most students rush to learn and review course material for finals, University of Wisconsin winter 2010 graduates have finally earned the right to whisper their deepest aspirations in Abe Lincoln?s ear atop Bascom Hill.
How big of a deal is the upcoming Rose Bowl on the UW-Madison campus? Almost every speech during the university?s commencement ceremonies on Sunday mentioned it ? as well as the song, dance and viral video ?Teach Me How To Bucky.? ?This is a place that sends its football teams to the Rose Bowl,? Chancellor Biddy Martin said to applause. ?This is a place where you can learn how to Bucky.?
State money is tight. But so are state mandates. That?s why incoming Gov. Scott Walker should accept UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin?s smart bid for greater flexibility. Martin understands the state is facing a more than $3 billion budget shortfall. She gets it that Walker doesn?t want to raise taxes. So she?s diligently preparing for flat or falling aid to University of Wisconsin System schools, including the flagship campus in Madison. Instead of whining about looming cuts like other local officials, Martin is highlighting ways the state can “help us help ourselves.”
University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema and his assistants have secured some nice financial rewards for their quality work this season. All will get 20 percent of their salary as a bonus for leading the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten Conference title and a berth in the Rose Bowl. The total payout is $525,480 pending administrative approval.
Forty-three people will travel to the Rose Bowl as part of the UW-Madison official party, including Chancellor Biddy Martin, Gov. Jim Doyle, and members of the UW Board of Regents. It?s a smaller group than 11 years ago, the last time the Badgers went to the Rose Bowl. UW-Madison officials say that?s because they are aware of a tough economic climate and an incoming governor who is looking to cut costs.
University of Wisconsin officials think that a 2% raise in each of the next two years for faculty and academic staff is justified. University staff already is underpaid, they argue. Two percent is needed just to stay even. They?re probably right, especially since those covered by the pay plan didn?t get an increase in the current budget and had to take furlough days.
The University of Wisconsin is widely considered one of the state?s most valuable assets. But when adjusted for inflation, funding for the UW system has been in decline for the last decade. But Republican lawmakers who will lead the next session of the legislature are promising to push for funding cuts to the UW as well as caps on tuition and fee increases. (Audio.)
With the Rose Bowl only 19 days away, the University of Wisconsin?s Athletic Director clarified UW?s ticket distribution policy at Friday?s Athletic Board meeting.
University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez gave a Rose Bowl ticket breakdown Friday to members of the UW Athletic Board.The school received just over 35,000 tickets for its Jan. 1 game with TCU in Pasadena, Calif.
After a semester spent experiencing all Madison has to offer, the eight members of the 2010 Chinese Champions program are heading home to Beijing.
Like so many other issues, Chancellor Martin?s new Badger Partnership proposal all boils down to one thing: Money. Or, rather, a lack thereof. Over the past 10 years, the amount of UW Madison?s budget coming from the state has declined at least 10 percentage points. That translates to millions of dollars. Now throw in multiple years of economic woes and the overwhelming election of state government officials who do not place higher education funding high on their priority list and you have the perfect context for administrative turmoil and uncertainty about the future. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure: Tuition is going to increase. In an attempt purported to minimize that increase, Biddy has proposed the Badger Partnership, which would partially sever this great institution from the state. In almost any other context, this plan would have virtually no chance of being adopted. However, given the current environment, it could very well represent the best hope for the university.
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin took two trips to China this year, in part to play “catch-up” to other universities that had already established strong relationships with the growing superpower, she said. “We?re there to elevate the brand, not only of the university, but also of the state of Wisconsin itself,” Martin told the UW Board of Regents Thursday, during a presentation on UW-Madison?s connection to China. More so than other colleges, Martin said she wants the university?s relationship with China to extend beyond academic collaborations to include community and economic development. She wants to bring the Wisconsin Idea ? that the university?s borders extend beyond the classroom ? to China.
Once we got official word that the Badgers were headed to the Rose Bowl — could an anthem be far behind? Anthony Lamarr Brown wrote, “We?re Smelling Roses,” to fill that role. The catchy rap number celebrates the Badgers victorious season and pokes fun at their opponents (“We?re smelling roses/We treat the other teams like a pocketful of posers”). Directed by “Teach Me How to Bucky”?s Logan Cascia, the music video features UW-Madison notables such as Chancellor Biddy Martin, UW Marching Band Director Mike Leckrone, and former Rose Bowl standout Ron Dayne. It also features lyricist JDante and singer LaVar Jovan Charleston.
If you enjoyed “Teach Me How to Bucky,” we suggest you take a look at “We?re Smelling Roses. “The high-quality video is being promoted as the “2011 Rose Bowl Badger Anthem.” It?s directed by Madison?s Anthony Lamarr, who also directed “Teach Me How to Bucky.”
The musical tributes to University of Wisconsin Rose Bowl berths have come a long way from the Torpedos? 1994 tribute cassette tape “The Big Red Badgers Go To Pasadena” played exclusively on WOLX (94.9 FM). On the heels of the regular-season smash “Teach Me How to Bucky,” Anthony Lamarr Music gives us a catchy rap tune “We?re Smelling Roses.” It includes appearances from UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, UW Marching Band Director Mike Leckrone, former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne and menbers of the UW Marching Band. It includes footage shot inside and around Camp Randall Stadium, on Bascom Hill, State Street Brats and at the UW Memorial Union.
Members of the University of Wisconsin?s faculty executive committee asked for input regarding a new committee that would oversee management and compliance of campus research during Monday?s Faculty Senate meeting.
Chancellor Biddy Martin and UW System President Kevin Reilly announced their commitment to allow university employees to decide if they would like union representation.
