The decision to make the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates Oversight Committee a closed meeting may have violated state open meeting laws Monday at a meeting to review MIU proposals.
MIU board rejects open meeting claim
Badger Herald
Category: Chancellor
Biddyâ??s monkey business
Badger Herald
Provost Paul DeLuca, Jr., we know you were all ready to reform the grad school, but it looks like you might have to rethink that Che shirt, because itâ??s not revolution time just yet. DeLuca recently proposed the creation of a new vice chancellor for research, separate from the graduate school, to manage the University of Wisconsinâ??s research operations.
Campus Connection: Report says no need to restructure UW’s research enterprise
Capital Times
An ad hoc committee examining a proposal by the University of Wisconsin-Madison administration to restructure the universityâ??s highly successful research enterprise released its final report to the Capital Times late Thursday night.
In a nutshell, the Academic Staff Ad Hoc Committee on the Research Enterprise found that while some changes could be made to make things run more smoothly, there is no evidence to support the administrationâ??s contention that an organizational restructuring is the answer.
Campus Countdown 2009: Biddy, Bucky and the budget
Capital Times
Biddy Martin made her first substantive moves as chancellor of UW-Madison, the slumping economy and massive state budget hole produced headaches for university administrators and â??furloughâ? became a dirty word among many university researchers.
Read on for more of the campus highlights from 2009.
Martin looking to resolve Nike issue
Badger Herald
I write to bring you up to date on an important issue. Some of you have been following the news and publicity about the workers of two now-closed apparel factories in Honduras, Hugger de Honduras and Vision Tex.
SLAC gives poor grade to Martin
Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin Student Labor Action Coalition distributed its â??report cardâ? Monday to Chancellor Biddy Martin, based on observations of how she has been handling the Honduras-Nike labor issue.
On Campus: UW-Madison students flip roles, grade chancellor
Wisconsin State Journal
As the end of the semester approaches, some UW-Madison students took it upon themselves to grade Chancellor Biddy Martin.
Members of the Student Labor Action Coalition gathered on Bascom Hill Monday to give Martin a 4-foot tall, hand-drawn report card on her performance on workersâ?? rights.
Disappointed with her action regarding UW-Madisonâ??s contract with Nike, she didnâ??t fare well in the studentsâ?? assessment.
UW-Madison Chancellor pushes international research
Wisconsin Public Radio
UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin wants the Board of Regents to keep the UW System competitive in the global economy by investing in international research. (Fourth item.)
UW regents hear Martinâ??s praises
Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin showcased the Madison campus as a premiere research institution and praised it for the work being accomplished with diversity and affordability as a university at the UW System Board of Regents meeting Thursday.
Students say UW-Madison tuition increase working (AP)
Chicago Tribune
University of Wisconsin-Madison student leaders say the first year of a four-year tuition increase is already leading to improvements in academics and student services.
Campus Connection: UW puts Nike on notice
Capital Times
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has decided to give Nike four months to clear up problems of reported workersâ?? rights abuses at two factories that the sports apparel giant subcontracts with in Honduras.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison puts Nike on notice
Capital Times
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has decided to give Nike four months to clear up problems of reported workersâ?? rights abuses at two factories that the sports apparel giant subcontracts with in Honduras.
If the situation isnâ??t remedied, the university could end its apparel contract with Nike — a deal which brings the university nearly $50,000 per year.
Martin said Monday that she hopes to build a coalition of interested schools from the Big Ten Conference and other peer institutions to put pressure on Nike.
UW asks Nike to act on alleged labor violations
Daily Cardinal
Chancellor Biddy Martin asked Nike, a UW-Madison apparel licensee, last week to begin making progress correcting alleged workersâ?? rights violations within the next four months.
Chancellor knows best
Badger Herald
Our university strives to set high standards for the values and the recognition of people from all different backgrounds. As someone of mixed race, I have felt completely comfortable and have established a great connection with UW in the four years I have attended this institution.
Nike asked to address labor
Badger Herald
Chancellor Biddy Martin requested in writing Friday that Nike address issues of workersâ?? rights abuses at two of its Honduras-based subcontractors within the next four months or allow its contract with the University of Wisconsin to expire.
Martin, Wiley split on non-student WISPIRG staff
Badger Herald
Disregarding former University of Wisconsin Chancellor John Wileyâ??s recommendation before his departure, Chancellor Biddy Martin approved one UW student organization to receive funds to pay for non-student professional staff last month.
Taxing Relationships
Inside Higher Education
Noted: While they may have differences, colleges and businesses typically play nice — at least in public. Thatâ??s what made John Wileyâ??s 2008 manifesto so shocking. In his final days as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wiley wrote an essay for Madison Magazine, blasting the stateâ??s largest business lobby for undermining the universityâ??s legislative efforts. Frustrated with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerceâ??s political positions, Wiley called the group â??the single biggest driver of our politically toxic environment and, thus, the single biggest obstacle to the recovery of the Wisconsin economy.”
DeLuca and Martin no Harold Hill
Badger Herald
At the start of the musical â??The Music Man,â? riders on a train discuss salesman Harold Hillâ??s modus operandi. â??Now he doesnâ??t know the territory. Doesnâ??t know the territory? Whatâ??s the fellowâ??s line? Never worries about his line.â? This brief exchange helps explain why the Faculty Senate voted Thursday night to slow the process of restructuring of the graduate schoolâ??s research operations.
A look at the first MIU proposals approved for future
Badger Herald
With the first round of proposals for the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates approved last week, students are beginning to see where the substantial increase in their tuition dollars is going.
SLACâ??s love-hate affair with UW
Badger Herald
Two days after chastising Chancellor Biddy Martin for a change in policy regarding campus workers, the University of Wisconsin Student Labor Action Coalition presented her with a homemade cake in gratitude for her recent standoff with Nike over the compensation of workers; however, she was unable to share in the festivities.
Spoonful of Sugar
Inside Higher Education
College students seldom rally around rising tuition, but the University of Wisconsin at Madison appears to be blunting criticism of its latest increase with a distinctive approach — letting the students help decide what to do with the money.
In May, the universityâ??s regents approved the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates, allowing for gradually increasing surcharges of $1,000 for residents and $3,000 for nonresidents to be fully implemented by the 2012-13 academic year. The funds generated by the surcharge, which will not be paid by students from families making less than $80,000 a year, are designed to bolster need-based aid, hire new faculty, expand course offerings and improve student services.
Proposals chosen to receive Madison Initiative funding
Daily Cardinal
Chancellor Biddy Martin chose eight final proposals to receive the first round of Madison Initiative for Undergraduate funds last week.
Forum addresses need to raise labor standards
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison officials held a workshop Friday to explore methods of improving labor standards around the world.
The Badger Herald: News: UW OKs MIU funds
Badger Herald
Chancellor Biddy Martin approved the first round of proposals for the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates late last week.
UW chancellor takes to tweeting
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
One of the hazards of electronic social media is that you never know whoâ??s paying attention – or how theyâ??ll react.
When Biddy Martin, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, revealed on Twitter recently that sheâ??s a Yankees fan, she heard about it.
“I immediately got responses saying, â??Oh no, not the Yankees!â??â??” said Martin, who clarified that her first allegiance is to the Milwaukee Brewers.Why is the chief executive of one of the worldâ??s premier research universities on Twitter? Martin says sheâ??s still not really sure.
Faculty Senate approves resolution to oppose graduate school reform
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madisonâ??s Faculty Senate almost unanimously approved a resolution Monday opposing any action to restructure the graduate school until a thorough, shared governance process is completed.
Faculty Senate delays grad school reform
Badger Herald
After voicing their opinions without restraint Monday, the Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution to slow down implementation of Provost Paul DeLuca Jr.â??s proposal to restructure the University of Wisconsin graduate school.
Campus Connection: Martin apologizes to UW-Madison faculty
Capital Times
Biddy Martin apologized to the University of Wisconsin-Madisonâ??s Faculty Senate Monday evening for the way in which her administration rolled out a proposed reorganization of the Graduate School.
The round of applause she received following this concession at Bascom Hall would seem to indicate many are ready to forgive Martin for her first significant public relations misstep as chancellor at UW-Madison.
Faculty, staff and students on campus were generally irked when Martin and Provost Paul DeLuca unveiled a plan to create a new office separate from the Graduate School that would manage UW-Madisonâ??s approximately $900 million in research projects.
Faculty Senate delays grad school reform
Badger Herald
After voicing their opinions without restraint Monday, the Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution to slow down implementation of Provost Paul DeLuca Jr.â??s proposal to restructure the University of Wisconsin graduate school.
U. of Wisconsin Faculty Puts Brakes on Graduate-School Reorganization
Chronicle of Higher Education
The Faculty Senate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison has voted overwhelmingly to urge the administration there to slow down a proposed reorganization of the institutionâ??s Graduate School that would change how the campus handles research.The proposed reorganization would establish a separate office, overseen by a new vice chancellor, to manage the research being performed by various graduate programs.
Faculty Senate approves resolution to oppose graduate school reform
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madisonâ??s Faculty Senate almost unanimously approved a resolution Monday opposing any action to restructure the graduate school until a thorough, shared governance process is completed.
Grad school restructuring: Why it is far from simple
Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin officials recently unveiled a plan to restructure the graduate school after significant growth in the institutionâ??s research and graduate education programs.
Grad school to reform
Badger Herald
In response to what University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin called the â??single greatest complaintâ? she has received thus far as chancellor, a proposal has been constructed that would significantly change the structure of the graduate school, including the addition of a separate vice chancellor for research.
Many debate UW policy
Hundreds of University of Wisconsin community members convened Thursday at an all-day conference to evaluate campus diversity and strategize ways to position UW as the countryâ??s leader in campus diversity issues.
Love â??em or hate â??em, SLAC spot-on about UW apparel
Badger Herald
Last week the Student Labor Action Coalition marched into Chancellor Biddy Martinâ??s office, opposing the University of Wisconsinâ??s athletic apparel contracts with less-than-transparent multinational monoliths like adidas. And Biddy sat down and had what one SLAC member called â??a thoughtful and productive dialogue.â?
SLAC protests in chancellorâ??s office over sweatshop concerns
Daily Cardinal
The Student Labor Action Coalition protested at Chancellor Biddy Martinâ??s office Wednesday to voice their concerns with UW-Madisonâ??s actions toward sweatshop conditions.
SLAC demands meeting with chancellor
Badger Herald
The Student Labor Action Coalition marched on Chancellor Biddy Martinâ??s office Wednesday in protest of the University of Wisconsinâ??s agreement with multinational corporations that manufacture UW apparel.
Four years enough for undergrads
Badger Herald
College students (and people in general) love to complain. Just ask Todd Jasperson. (Speaking of which, how about that weather the other day? I havenâ??t seen anyone make it rain like that since Pacman got suspended.) Whether itâ??s about politics, cops, reckless bicyclists or tuition, itâ??s easy for us to see the problem, but itâ??s not always easy to come up with a solution.
Ceremony honors new benefits for employees
Daily Cardinal
Chancellor Biddy Martin hosted a reception Monday to mark the expansion of domestic partner benefits for UW System employees.
UW honors domestic partnership
Badger Herald
The Faculty Senate and Academic Staff Assembly celebrated Monday Gov. Jim Doyleâ??s signing into law the state budget bill that authorized domestic partner health insurance with faculty, students and Madison residents Monday.
Chancellor Martin preparing for future
Daily Cardinal
This past Friday, the Daily Cardinal Editorial Board had the opportunity to meet with Chancellor Carolyn â??Biddyâ? Martin to discuss some of the universityâ??s most pressing issues. With a year under her belt, Martin is due for some of the first appraisals of her job performance, most of which is tethered to the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates.
Chancellor aims for UW advancement
Daily Cardinal
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Carolyn â??Biddyâ? Martin met with The Daily Cardinal editors Friday to discuss the Madison Initiative, diversity on campus and other topics of interest to students.
Biz Beat: UW chancellor denies buckling to ‘Big Farma’
Capital Times
Itâ??s no secret farm groups in Wisconsin are in a froth over the UW-Madisonâ??s invite to Michael Pollan to visit campus.
The best-selling author of “The Omnivoreâ??s Dilemma,” Pollan has emerged as the leading critic of mainstream agriculture, factory farming and the meat-heavy diet of Americans. His call to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” has enraged cattle, pork and dairy producers nationwide — not to mention its various front groups like the Center for Consumer Freedom.
Pollan will visit Madison on Sept. 24 for a lecture at the Kohl Center. He also will participate in a panel discussion on Sept. 25 as part of the UWâ??s “Go Big Read” campus-wide book reading program where his 2008 work “In Defense of Food” will be discussed.
Yet while farm groups have openly criticized UW chancellor Biddy Martin for approving the Pollan book for the “Go Big Read” effort, Martin is also taking some behind-the-scenes heat from left-wing foodies.
Martin stresses humanities first
Badger Herald
Chancellor Biddy Martin proclaimed the 2009-10 academic year the â??Year of the Humanities,â? bringing with it a series of lectures, performances and other events that will educate students, as well as the general public, on the impact of the humanities.
Biddy Martin: UW invites you to sift, winnow on food this fall
Wisconsin State Journal
A new initiative at UW-Madison is designed to make a larger point about what it means to engage in a process of integrated, rigorous and unfettered thinking.
Wisconsin Badgers sports: Sweeney to leave Athletic Department
Wisconsin State Journal
Vince Sweeney has played the role of pioneer numerous times during his long tenure as an administrator with the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department.
He initiated equipment and apparel deals â?? first with Reebok, then Adidas â?? when those were cutting edge developments for NCAA Division I schools.
He oversaw the creation of Badger Sports Properties, a coordinated approach to managing multi-media rights that was well ahead of the industry curve.
Athletic department loses key player behind the scenes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
When you think of UW athletics, you don’t think of Vince Sweeney, but UW’s senior associate athletic director for external relations has played a vital role in the athletic department’s growth over the last 20 years.
In the early 1990s, he was the department’s first director of trademark licensing. He also directed the department’s marketing and promotions for three years before becoming the associate athletic director for external relations in 1994. He became a senior associate in 2002, overseeing the athletic communications department and sometimes serving as the voice of the department with the media.
Martin tabs Sweeney for new vice chancellor position
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced Tuesday that Chancellor Biddy Martin has selected Vince Sweeney to be the university’s first vice chancellor for university relations.
Martin cited Sweeney’s deep knowledge of the University of Wisconsin-Madison community, his effectiveness as an ambassador on behalf of the institution and his experience.
She said Sweeney’s wide range of experiences and his reputation for integrity will serve him and the institution well.
On Campus: DeLuca to be new University of Wisconsin-Madison provost
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madisonâ??s No. 2 post will be filled by Paul M. DeLuca Jr., vice dean of the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, the university announced today.
Chancellor Biddy Martin chose DeLuca as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs after an internal search, citing the significant growth he has helped achieve in the School of Medicine and Public Health and his â??great sense of humor,â? according to a university news release.
University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor to hire more officers to review backlogged campus research
Wisconsin State Journal
With more than 100 research projects in limbo, dozens of labs behind on safety inspections, and the investigation into a â??Major Actionâ? violation unfinished, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has vowed to hire more safety officers to review campus research.
Martinâ??s response came after a campus committee sent her a letter last month stating that UW-Madison is not in compliance with National Institutes of Health guidelines because of â??gross and chronicâ? understaffing.
UW System leaders say furloughs will be difficult (AP)
Implementing furloughs for all University of Wisconsin System employees will be difficult to track, hurt the competitiveness of researchers and raise legal concerns, system leaders said Thursday.
UW System President Kevin Reilly and chancellors at several campuses also acknowledged they were preparing for the possibility of employee layoffs. The comments came as the UW System Board of Regents was briefed on the two-year budget plan approved by the Legislature’s budget committee last week.
UW System Leaders Say Furloughs Will Be Difficult (AP)
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System leaders are describing just how difficult it will be to furlough employees for up to eight days for each of the next two years.
UW System President Kevin Reilly said on Thursday that tracking employees’ furlough days will be a big challenge and the system’s aging human resources computer program might not be up to it. He said it’s one of the administrative issues that keeps him up at night.
ON CAMPUS BLOG: Friedman’s speaking fee too high for Go Big Read program
Wisconsin State Journal
Journalist Thomas Friedmanâ??s hefty speaking fee cost him a chance at being chosen for UW-Madisonâ??s common book read program, Go Big Read.
His book â??Hot, Flat and Crowded,â? was one of five finalists for the programâ??s first book, but his fee of $70,000 â?? which has been the subject of some controversy of late â?? was too pricy for UW-Madisonâ??s budget, said Sara Guyer, interim director of the UW-Madison Center for Humanities and a member of the book selection committee.
Instead, Michael Pollanâ??s book, â??In Defense of Food: An Eaterâ??s Manifesto,â? was chosen by Chancellor Biddy Martin. Pollan was already scheduled to visit to campus this fall at a rate of $15,000, sponsored by a number of sources including the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison’s Farrell named provost at Lehigh University
Capital Times
Patrick Farrell, who served as provost at UW-Madison until December of 2008, was named the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
In December, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin removed Farrell from his post in an effort to put her own leadership team in place on campus.
Quick Takes: UW tuition plan passes
Inside Higher Education
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Friday approved a plan to raise tuition at the flagship campus at Madison by substantial amounts, but to designate those funds for spending — such as additional faculty slots — that directly improves undergraduate education.
New UW chancellor wins tuition increase
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin won approval Friday for the first big proposal of her tenure, the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates, which means students will start paying higher tuition in the fall to fund increased financial aid and improved undergraduate education.
Regents approve 4-year UW-Madison tuition hike (AP)
Associated Press
Tuition will rise sharply for the next four years for most University of Wisconsin-Madison students under a plan approved Friday to improve quality at the state’s flagship university.
The UW System Board of Regents approved Chancellor Biddy Martin’s plan to add a tuition surcharge of $250 next fall for in-state undergraduates and $750 for students from other states.
Regents OK Martin’s tuition surcharge
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin System’s Board of Regents approved the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates on Friday.
The plan is the first major initiative by UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, who replaced John Wiley as leader of the state’s flagship university on Sept. 1.
“I’m delighted and really happy,” Martin said after Friday’s Regents meeting at UW-Milwaukee’s student union. “I really do think it was critical for the quality of the institution — for the education we provide and for being able to start building up need-based financial aid that is so essential.”
Martin’s initiative features a supplemental tuition charge that grows by $250 in each of the next four years for in-state students and by $750 per year for those paying out-of-state tuition. The plan will start with the 2009-10 academic year.
UW-Madison chancellor’s tuition initiative poised for regents’ approval
Capital Times
Less than nine months after arriving from Cornell University, Biddy Martin is on the verge of pushing through her first major initiative as chancellor of UW-Madison.
On Thursday, the UW System Board of Regents’ Business, Finance and Budget Committee debated the merits of Martin’s Madison Initiative for Undergraduates before easily giving the plan the green light to move forward.
The proposal will likely be approved when the full board meets Friday at UW-Milwaukee.
Campus Connection: Martin sells plan to UW System leaders
Capital Times
Less than nine months after arriving on campus from Cornell University, Biddy Martin is on the verge of pushing through her first major initiative as chancellor of UW-Madison.
On Thursday, the UW System Board of Regents’ Business, Finance and Budget Committee debated the merits of Martin’s Madison Initiative for Undergraduates before easily giving the plan the green light to move forward.
This proposal will almost certainly be approved when the full board meets Friday at UW-Milwaukee.