Column by Chancellor Blank and Brad Schwartz, CEO of the Morgridge Institute for Research, for the “Stem Cells @20: Celebrating Historic Discovery series.
Two decades later, a UW discovery fuels powerful scientific advances
Wisconsin State Journal
Category: Chancellor
Student Success is Focus at APLU Convening
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
NEW ORLEANS—Universities can turn challenges into opportunities through resilience. That was the central focus of the annual Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) meeting that brought senior-level college administrators together to strategize on how best to serve their students.
UW-Madison chancellor signs letter to Betsy DeVos: Protect transgender rights
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank has co-penned a letter to U.S. Education Department Secretary Betsy DeVos urging her to oppose a potential policy change that would narrowly define gender as male or female based on biology.
UW-Madison chancellor concerned about funding for building projects
WisBusiness.com.com
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank says she is “really, deeply worried” about funding for the university’s building projects.
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank may be recalled to testify in NCAA antitrust trial
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s involvement in an NCAA antitrust trial may not have ended with her testimony last week.
UW-Madison clarifies it has ‘no plans to stop offering athletics’ after chancellor’s testimony in NCAA amateurism lawsuit
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank sounded a warning this week about the future of intercollegiate athletics at the school if it is forced to pay student-athletes. But in a statement Tuesday, a UW spokesperson said the school had no plans to stop offering athletics after Blank testified a day earlier at an NCAA antitrust trial that the university may not sponsor a sports program if it’s not an amateur endeavor.
Babcock Hall expansion project moves forward
The Country Today
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said this project, however, is a unique one in that it has been six years in the making and includes one of the largest private/public partnerships in the university’s history. In eight months, almost 200 partners came together to donate $16 million toward the project.
Center for Dairy Research dream come true in UW-Madison construction project
Wi State Farmer
Quoted: “The facility is going to be one of the premiere dairy education and research centers in the nation,” Blank said. “And most importantly, it’s going to be a hub for discovery and innovation for Wisconsin’s dairy industry, working closely with our faculty and our students.”
UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank is ready for ‘another 5 years’
Wisconsin State Journal
In 1983, UW-Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty tried to recruit a young female professor to be their next postdoctoral fellow, according to then-director Sheldon Danziger.
Foxconn’s $100 million gift to UW-Madison will launch partnership
Wisconsin State Journal
Foxconn Technology Group intends to invest $100 million in engineering and innovation research at UW-Madison that will help fund an interdisciplinary research facility for students and faculty to collaborate closely with the company’s Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park near Racine.
Paul Fanlund: Five years in, Rebecca Blank sees UW ‘at a good place’
The Capital Times
This Sunday, Rebecca Blank will mark the fifth anniversary of her starting date as Madison chancellor. That matches Shalala’s tenure, but maybe we should look at Blank’s as a de facto 10 years, because for all of her time here, Blank has essentially held two jobs.
Elitist? Callous to state students? UW-Madison tries to smooth image
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
If you’ve heard it’s next to impossible for Wisconsin kids to get into the University of Wisconsin-Madison, here’s the scoop.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank: Wisconsin and the future of undergraduate education
Wisconsin State Journal
Public education has been one of our greatest success stories as a nation.Our country pioneered in making public elementary and high schools available to all children and created land-grant public universities that made college possible for citizens from all backgrounds.
UW to reckon with Ku Klux Klan history, but won’t remove KKK member names from buildings
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin-Madison will not remove from campus buildings the names of well-known student leaders who also were members of a campus Ku Klux Klan society in the early 1900s, the university announced Thursday.
Group studying history of KKK at UW-Madison wants action; chancellor commits funds
Capital Times
UW-Madison will spend $1 million to build a history exhibit recognizing those who battled prejudice on campus, following a new report probing the history of Ku Klux Klan groups at the university in the early 20th century.
Report probes history of KKK at UW-Madison; $1M history exhibit planned
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison will spend $1 million to build a history exhibit recognizing those who battled prejudice on campus, following a new report probing the history of Ku Klux Klan groups at the university in the early 20th century.
Donna Shalala to run for U.S. House, replacing Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
USA Today
Donna Shalala jumped into the political arena Monday, filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Donna Shalala to run for U.S. House, replacing Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
USA Today
Donna Shalala jumped into the political arena Monday, filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Viewpoint: UW-Madison’s commitment to Wisconsin students expands
River Falls Journal
Beginning this fall, incoming freshmen and transfer students from Wisconsin households with adjusted gross incomes of $56,000 or less will receive free tuition and segregated fees. For freshmen, that is a commitment of eight consecutive semesters tuition free, and for transfer students it’s up to four semesters free.
UW-Madison Chancellor: Foxconn interested in our research on AI, automated vehicles
Wisconsin State Journal
Tuition Break For Some UW-Madison Students
WSAU - Wausau
Quoted: “Many low-and middle-income families in Wisconsin are simply uncertain whether they can afford to send their child to UW-Madison,” said UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank “Our goal is to ensure that anyone who is admitted can afford to be a Badger.”
Free tuition for University of Wisconsin-Madison students with families making less than $56,000
CH 58- Milwaukee
New in-state University of Wisconsin-Madison students will get free tuition if they come from families making $56,000 or less. Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced the initiative, dubbed “Bucky’s Tuition Promise,” at a UW System regents meeting Thursday.
UW joins coalition putting grad schoolers on right track in biomedical careers
Wisconsin State Journal
With biomedical scientists having a difficult time getting tenure-track positions at U.S. universities, UW-Madison is joining with nine other institutions to share data on career prospects for their life scientists.
New calls for clear, easily accessible data on Ph.D. program outcomes in life sciences
Inside Higher Ed
Ten institutions on Thursday announced their commitment to providing life sciences Ph.D. students — current and future ones — transparent data on admissions, training opportunities and career outcomes. Most students aren’t going to end up in faculty jobs, and the founding members of the Coalition for Next Generation Life Science want potential trainees to know that up front.
UW joins coalition putting grad schoolers on right track in biomedical careers
Wisconsin State Journal
With biomedical scientists having a difficult time getting tenure-track positions at U.S. universities, UW-Madison is joining with nine other institutions to share data on career prospects for their life scientists.
Transcript: The Badger Herald sits down with Chancellor Rebecca Blank
Badger Herald
Blank discusses free speech, campus safety, campus climate, religious diversity, Foxconn.
A generation of scientists could dwindle if GOP tax reform plan passes, universities warn
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said she agrees with the broader effort to reform and simplify the tax code but says the legislation in its current form would increase the cost of attendance for many students. It also could hinder research universities’ ability to train highly-skilled workers and the future leaders of “the ongoing innovation revolution” in science and technology, Blank said.
New report says improving educational quality, completion and increasing affordability is everyone’s business
Inside Higher Education
What was once a challenge of quantity in American undergraduate education is increasingly a challenge of educational quality. In other words, getting as many students as possible to attend college means little if they’re not learning what they need to and — crucially — if they don’t graduate. That’s the recurring message of a new report, “The Future of Undergraduate Education, The Future of America,” from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
UW chancellor encourages community to confront strained campus climate as national tensions escalate
Badger Herald
Rebecca Blank looks toward future of free speech, faculty retention and Foxconn.
For the Record: The Badger Promise, Campus Climate Report at UW-Madison
WISC-TV 3
Neil Heinen talks to University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank about The Badger Promise and the Campus Climate Project on For the Record.
Lori Berquam named interim vice chancellor for student affairs
Daily Cardinal
In addition to serving as UW-Madison’s dean of students and vice provost for student life, Lori Berquam will take on an additional role as the interim vice chancellor for student affairs, a new position within campus administration.
Chancellor Blank speaks about role of Christian morality, ethics in market economics
The Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank delivered a lecture Wednesday about the role of Christian faith and morality in market economics and business, and how she’s balanced living as an active Christian in a market economy.
Chancellor Blank speaks about role of Christian morality, ethics in market economics
Badger Herald
Blank, devout Christian, spoke about ways to reconcile Christian morality with amoral nature of market economics.
Chancellor Blank speaks about role of Christian morality, ethics in market economics
Badger Herald
Blank, devout Christian, spoke about ways to reconcile Christian morality with amoral nature of market economics.
Chancellor Blank speaks about role of Christian morality, ethics in market economics
Badger Herald
Blank, devout Christian, spoke about ways to reconcile Christian morality with amoral nature of market economics.
Wisconsin regents approve merging campuses
WISC-TV 3
The University of Wisconsin System regents approved a plan to merge the system’s two-year schools with its four-year campuses.
Go Big Read book discussion planned at library
Reedsburg Times Press
This year’s Go Big Read selection is “Hillbilly Elegy: a Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J. D. Vance. Chosen by University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, the book is the ninth Go Big Read title since the program was initiated by Chancellor Biddy Martin in 2009.
Blank elected onto Association of American Universities’ Board of Directors
Daily Cardinal
Chancellor Rebecca Blank will now serve on the board of directors for the Association of American Universities, an organization that influences policy for higher education.
UW-Madison to absorb UW Cooperative Extension under system reorganization
Capital Times
The University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension is a natural fit with University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chancellor Rebecca Blank said Wednesday about news that the agency would be absorbed by her campus as part of a sweeping reorganization of the UW System.
University of Wisconsin expands free-tuition program for first-generation students
Wisconsin State Journal
After transferring from the two-year UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus, where tuition and other expenses were low enough that jobs on and off campus covered his bills, Luke Moat had accepted that he’d need to take out loans to attend the more expensive UW-Madison.
UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank weighs in on state budget, free tuition program and Foxconn
Capital Times
Blank appeared on a recent segment of Sunday political talk show “UpFront with Mike Gousha” with UW Colleges and UW Extension Chancellor Cathy Sandeen. The pair weighed in on the budget, a new one-year free tuition program for first generation students and the proposed Foxconn plant, expressing optimism about all three.
New program promises qualifying Badgers year of free tuition
Daily Cardinal
The new program, Badger Promise, seeks to give first-generation in-state college students who transfer to UW-Madison a year of free tuition.
UW-Madison chancellor announces new faculty recruiting effort to drive critical research areas
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
After a 15-year hiatus, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is launching a hiring program to recruit clusters of faculty from different disciplines who will work together in emerging areas of research.
Changes in federal rules guiding university investigations of sexual assaults may be coming
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As the nation’s secretary of education announced plans to change the way colleges and universities handle allegations of sexual violence on campus, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank on Thursday defended practices on her campus.
UW Chancellor responds to DeVos announcement on sexual assault guidelines
WISC-TV 3
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank released a statement Thursday in response to the Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ announcement a review of Obama-era sexual assault guidelines on college campuses.
Chancellor Blank opposes Trump DACA repeal
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank released a statement Tuesday opposing President Donald Trump’s proposed repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The Looming Decline of the Public Research University
Washington Monthly
Quoted: “What difference does having a major research university in a place like Wisconsin make?” said University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “It’s the future of the state.” If Blank is right, then current trends put that future in doubt for much of the Midwest. Many of these same universities have suffered some of the nation’s deepest cuts to public higher education. Illinois reduced per-student spending by an inflation-adjusted 54 percent between 2008 and last year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The figure was 22 percent in Iowa and Missouri, 21 percent in Michigan, 15 percent in Minnesota and Ohio, and 6 percent in Indiana. While higher education funding increased last year in thirty-eight states, Scott Walker’s 2015–17 budget cut another $250 million from the University of Wisconsin system. The University of Iowa recently had its state appropriation cut by 6 percent, including an unexpected $9 million in the middle of the fiscal year.
UW-Madison chancellor assigns study group to review school’s KKK history
WISC-TV 3
There’s a new effort at UW-Madison to review how the Ku Klux Klan was connected to campus after recent violence in Charlottesville.
UW System wants to speed up hiring of chancellors, other top leaders, and recruit outside academia
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin System is looking to “streamline” its process for filling top posts on campuses to speed up hiring and attract applicants from the private sector and government.
UW System launches group to review hiring rules, recruit leaders from outside academia
Wisconsin State Journal
A University of Wisconsin System group is expected to recommend changes later this year that would overhaul how UW chancellors are hired and aim to recruit more leaders from outside of higher education, officials said Monday.
Wisconsin tech leaders weigh potential impact of a Foxconn plant
Capital Times
Rebecca Blank, the UW-Madison chancellor, has already proposed strategic partnerships with Foxconn that could result in funding for research and development at the university.
UW Regents President John Behling wants to explore new ways of hiring chancellors
Capital Times
Hiring chancellors for University of Wisconsin System campuses with non-academic backgrounds appears to be a priority for John Behling, the new president of the UW Board of Regents.
Foxconn to build $10B plant in Wisconsin employing up to 13,000
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank also said Wednesday she met with Foxconn officials recently “to promote the State of Wisconsin as a possible destination and illustrate the advantages of having an internationally ranked research partner like the University of Wisconsin-Madison nearby.” “Today’s decision by Foxconn Technology Group, a top international manufacturer, to locate a plant in Wisconsin is a major leap forward for our state’s economy,” Blank said in a statement. “It also illustrates the importance of a culture of innovation, along with a strong public research university, to regional economic development.”
Report: Foxconn deal to come in Milwaukee Thursday
WISC-TV 3
A spokesman for Chancellor Becky Blank would not confirm a meeting had taken place, but said in a statement that ” UW-Madison supports economic development efforts in the advanced manufacturing or tech sectors that will provide more opportunities for Wisconsin and its citizens.”
New Regents president calls for UW to recruit chancellors from private sector
Wisconsin State Journal
The new head of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents wants UW institutions to recruit leaders from the private sector, and said Friday that the System is launching a new effort to “streamline” its process for hiring chancellors and other top officials.
Rebecca Blank: UW-Madison lobbying Congress on Trump’s 2018 budget
Capital Times
UW-Madison is hard at work trying to whittle down the alarming cuts to higher education and research spending in President Donald Trump’s proposed $4.1 trillion 2018 budget, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in a blog post Tuesday.
GOP budget changes target rules for chancellors, UW-Oshkosh Foundation
Wisconsin State Journal
A slate of Republican-authored changes to the state budget includes new rules to ensure University of Wisconsin System chancellors can come from non-academic backgrounds and a requirement that lawmakers weigh in before any taxpayer money can be sent to UW- Oshkosh’s troubled private foundation.
Research Universities Band Together To Defend Scientists Amid Proposed Massive Federal Cuts
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Trump administration’s 2018 budget plan sent to Congress this week calls for major cuts to funding for medical and science research, and that has research universities — including the University of Wisconsin-Madison — defending the work of scientists.
A Call To Continue Federal Funding For Research
Wisconsin Public Radio
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank makes the case for continue federal funding for research done at colleges and universities.
Blank, Mailick: Strengthen the government-science partnership
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Column by Rebecca Blank, chancellor, and Marsha Mailick, vice chancellor for research and graduate education at UW-Madison.