Pro-Palestinian encampments continued into the second week at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at UW-Milwaukee.
UW-Madison remains open to meeting demonstrators as college protests continue
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Category: Higher Education/System
11th day of campus protests off to quiet start
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Pro-Palestinian encampments continued into the second week at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at UW-Milwaukee.
Republican legislators launch audit of DEI activities in Wisconsin state agencies
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Members of the Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee voted Tuesday on party lines to approve an audit of all diversity, equity and inclusion activities within the state’s executive agencies — a move that runs counter to policies and priorities laid out by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Microsoft Racine County data center expansion, new AI training focus of Biden visit to state
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The jobs and training programs are tied to the construction of Microsoft’s massive data center, the company’s TitletownTech partnership with the Green Bay Packers, the company’s involvement with the University of Wisconsin’s Connected Systems Institute and technical education programs that Microsoft has supported in northeastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee.
At Shabbat dinner near UWM encampment, Jewish students process complex feelings on protests, war
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A quick glance to the left, and the Jewish students who gathered outside the Hillel Milwaukee building for Shabbat dinner would’ve seen the tents.
UW Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus is closing in a few weeks, but its impact and history in the community lives on
Fond du Lac Reporter
After 56 years, Fond du Lac is about to say goodbye to one of its hometown schools.
The Universities of Wisconsin System announced in October that the Fond du Lac campus of UW Oshkosh would close at the end of spring semester because of low enrollment.
Does Wisconsin have any Ivy League schools? It does now, according to Forbes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
America’s Ivy League institutions have faced complaints in recent years over admissions policies and, in response, Forbes recently introduced its list of the “New Ivies”— the 10 public and 10 private universities it says are producing successful and driven graduates.
On the list is the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which also ranks among the top national universities in the state, and across the country.
Republican lawmakers order audit into DEI initiatives at state agencies, UW
Wisconsin Public Radio
Republican lawmakers are ordering a review into initiatives that aim to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within state government.
Legislative Republicans launch audit of diversity, inclusion efforts at Wisconsin agencies, UW system
Wisconsin State Journal
Legislative Republicans plan to put the use of diversity, equity and inclusion positions within state government and the Universities of Wisconsin under a microscope with a new audit approved Tuesday.
Wisconsin lawmakers vote to audit state DEI initiatives
The Associated Press
In December he forced Universities of Wisconsin regents to freeze diversity hires, re-label about 40 diversity positions as “student success” positions, drop an affirmative action hiring program at UW-Madison in exchange for funding to cover staff raises and construction projects. Vos said after the deal was complete that he wanted an in-depth review of diversity initiatives across state government.
Wisconsin Republicans approve audit of DEI in state government
The Capital Times
The review of how state agencies are using DEI was promised by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, after a protracted battle between top GOP legislators and the Universities of Wisconsin over programs to support people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups.
UW-Madison faculty and staff stage walkout in support of liberated zone
WORT FM
This afternoon, during the start of finals week at UW-Madison, several dozen faculty members and staff staged
Democrats target Republicans on budget committee, aim for control of Legislature
Wisconsin Examiner
Wikler said the campaign is to “hold Republican politicians to account for refusing to do what most Wisconsinites want on critical issues like hospital closures, the closures of University of Wisconsin campuses and funding from settlements about opioid addiction. Critical issues where most Wisconsinites want the same thing but these Republican politicians are playing political games that affect people’s lives.”
UW student protests continue into second week
Wisconsin Examiner
UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee students’ pro-Palestinian encampment protests entered their second week Monday with communication continuing between students, staff and university administrators.
How campus protests could impact young voter turnout in Wisconsin
CBS 58
Young voters in Wisconsin are a crucial voting block for both parties, and with protest activity on college campuses against the war in Gaza ramping up, some fear it could hurt Democrats this fall.
UW pro-Palestinian protesters: ‘We will stay out here until our demands are met’
Wisconsin Public Radio
Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison say they plan to stay at the encampment until their demands are met.
UW-Madison faculty, staff stage walkout in support of pro-Palestinian protesters
Wisconsin Public Radio
Several dozen faculty and staff members from the University of Wisconsin-Madison staged a walkout Monday in opposition to the university administration’s response to a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.
At UW-Milwaukee, administration takes hands-off approach to pro-Palestinian encampment
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, two worlds co-exist.
In the southeast corner of campus, a couple hundred pro-Palestinian protesters over the past week have pitched dozens of tents and set up a barrier of plastic tables. They have slept through rain and vowed to stay until UWM divests from companies with ties to Israel.
Professors confront UW-Madison chancellor over police response to encampment
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin-Madison professors confronted Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on Monday over a decision last week to send in police and break up a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.
UW-Madison faculty walk out in support of protesters
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Faculty members join protesters marching up Bascom Hill to attend the final faculty senate meeting of the academic year.
UW-Madison makes Forbes list of 20 ‘New Ivies’
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison made Forbes’ list of the “New Ivies,” a group of 10 public universities and 10 private colleges where students get great educations as employers sour on the elite old guard, the magazine said.
Rothman not ruling out further police action to remove UW protest encampments, administration in talks with protesters
WisPolitics
UW President Jay Rothman says the protest encampments at Madison and Milwaukee “will ultimately be gone” but declined to give a specific timeline or course of action as talks are expected to continue this week between protesters and UW-Madison officials.
UW campus protests show Jews aren’t safe from antisemitism in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
I began writing the op-ed just as Passover was beginning, the encampments at UWM and UW Madison had not started, and I didn’t want to inflame the local situation by focusing on what was happening in other states. Obviously, the situation has changed. As Jewish students are taunted on campus, as protesters shamelessly call for peace while chanting for intifada, as protesters harass students with visible Jewish clothing and symbols, I can no longer remain silent about what our students have been experiencing on Milwaukee’s campuses, and I can no longer accept the silence of university administrations. Students shouldn’t have to stage a sit-in or storm a chancellor’s residence to be heard.
See images from pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Student protesters around the country have demanded colleges cut financial ties to Israel. The latest demonstrations show growing discontent over their schools’ responses to the war in Gaza.
UPFRONT: UW System president on protests
WISN-TV
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman joins “UPFRONT.”
Peter Hart-Brinson on the Israel-Hamas war campus protests
PBS Wisconsin
UW-Eau Claire sociology and journalism professor Peter Hart-Brinson discusses perspectives among college students around Wisconsin on the pro-Palestinian campus protests in Madison and Milwaukee.
UW-La Crosse students rally for Palestinians, demand ceasefire and divestment from Israeli …
La Crosse Tribune
University of Wisconsin La Crosse students gather for a protest in solidarity with Palestine and UW Madison student protests on Friday, May 3.
Students with disabilities at UW-Oshkosh stage walkout accusing university of discrimination
Wisconsin Public Radio
A small group of students staged a walkout at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh this week, accusing the university of discriminating against people with disabilities.
Rabbi and protestors react to day three of UW Milwaukee protest
TMJ-4
Wednesday marked day three of a demonstration on UW-Milwaukee’s campus. Despite tension at UW-Madison, there are no signs of the Milwaukee encampment shutting down.
Police dismantle UW-Madison anti-war encampment protests, but tents return
Wisconsin Examiner
Campus and state police officers broke up University of Wisconsin-Madison students’ anti-war encampment protest Wednesday morning — physically removing tents and arresting several protesters in the process.
Despite clash with police in Madison, encampments continue at UW-Madison, UWM
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Police swarmed a University of Wisconsin-Madison encampment Wednesday morning and arrested 34 people, two days after pro-Palestinian protesters took over Library Mall.
Universities of Wisconsin President, UW-Madison Chancellor speak out on protests
WMTV - Channel 15
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said the system supports freedom of speech while upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the community. “The free exchange of ideas through open dialogue and debate is a hallmark of the Universities of Wisconsin,” Rothman said. “We support the First Amendment and the right to free expression – including through legal protest – and we continue to uphold these ideals, even in the face of difficult and competing demands.”
Dueling protesters clash at UCLA hours after police clear pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia
The Associated Press
Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over and broke up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school while inspiring others.
2024 Was the Year That Broke College Admissions
The New York Times
These days Cornell, for example, admits roughly 40 percent of its incoming class without a test score. At schools like the University of Wisconsin or the University of Connecticut, the percentage is even higher. In California, schools rarely accept scores at all, being in many cases not only test-optional, but “test-blind.”
Q&A: How University of Wisconsin-Madison Breaks Down IT Silos
EdTech
University of Wisconsin–Madison Vice Provost and CIO Lois Brooks shares how an internal group supports a vibrant, collegial IT community at the university.
More public colleges admit high schoolers even before they’ve applied
Wisconsin Examiner
“I’m excited that states and institutions are thinking about ways to streamline the pipeline into college,” said Taylor Odle, assistant professor of educational policy studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who has studied college admission policy extensively.
Facing $9 million deficit, Alverno plans to cut jobs, academic programs
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
At least three University of Wisconsin System schools are eliminating jobs. In addition, three campuses will end in-person instruction at the end of this school year. Private institutions are also downsizing. Concordia University Wisconsin is laying off 24 people at its Mequon campus by the end of this school year.
Wisconsin universities not asking right questions dealing with financial crisis
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A recent Journal Sentinel article reported how a consulting firm was paid $2.8 million to study the finances of the University of Wisconsin System (“Are UW campuses financially viable?” April 13).
Live: UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee students organize pro-Palestinian rallies Monday
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As pro-Palestinian encampments pop up at colleges across the country, student groups have scheduled Monday morning rallies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.
Mnookin joins university leaders to advance student free expression, civic preparedness
Badger Herald
‘College Presidents for Civic Preparedness’ work to uphold Institute for Citizens and Scholars’ three key principles on campuses across US.
As pro-Palestinian protests sweep U.S. campuses, here’s what’s happening at Wisconsin universities
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Demonstrations intensified on college campuses across the country over the last week, a sign of students’ growing discontent over their schools’ responses to the war in Gaza.
PROFS panel calls for de-politicization of higher education at public forum
Badger Herald
Panelists discuss decreasing funding for flagship universities at event Wednesday.
Tuition hike will offload university financial pressures, may strain student budgets, expert says
Badger Herald
According to Agricultural and Applied Economics professor Steve Deller, the funding from the state that goes to support public higher education has been declining for about 30 years and the Universities of Wisconsin have been needing to make up for those financial resources.
UW-Madison Hosts Panel On Nationwide Cuts To Higher Education Funding
WORT FM
Across the country, state lawmakers are cutting funding to their most prominent public universities.
That dwindling support for higher education was the subject of a panel at UW-Madison earlier this evening – and the School of Education’s Dr. Taylor Odlewas one of the panelists.
UW to vacate Richland campus 1 year after college classes ended
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Universities of Wisconsin will vacate a former two-year college in Richland County this summer, despite months of discussions with local officials who once hoped to save the former two-year college. County leaders say they’re now facing a potential “economic crisis.”
Amid falling public confidence, forum speakers defend value of a college degree
Wisconsin Public Radio
While public perceptions of the value of going to college have diminished in recent years, experts argue the lifelong earning potential for someone with a bachelor’s degree is worth the investment.
That was the message Wednesday from a forum about the future of flagship universities held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While ideological battles over diversity programs, curriculum and funding continue, universities must forcefully advocate for their value to society, the panelists said.
UW system to vacate Richland Center campus; county warns of ‘economic crisis’
Wisconsin State Journal
Universities of Wisconsin officials announced Tuesday that UW-Platteville will vacate its Richland County campus on July 1, an unexpected move that local officials say creates a “potential economic crisis” for the county.
Former Wisconsin college chancellor fired over porn career is fighting to keep his faculty post
The Associated Press
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s top official has taken the first steps toward removing a faculty member who was earlier fired from his job as chancellor over his fledgling porn career.
A conservative quest to limit diversity programs gains momentum in states
The Associated Press
University of Wisconsin regents agreed in December to shift at least 43 diversity positions to focus on “student success” and eliminate statements supporting diversity on student applications. The actions were part of a deal with lawmakers to release funding for pay raises and campus construction projects.
UW-Madison scholarship program for education students extended
Wisconsin Public Radio
More students who commit to teaching in the state after graduation will receive free tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison thanks to a program extension announced this week.
Are Democrats right that Republicans are to blame for low state funding for UW System?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Outside reports released earlier this month showed warning signs for the financial viability of the University of Wisconsin System’s universities and signaled future cuts to the state’s public campuses.
A conservative quest to limit diversity programs gains momentum in states
ABC News
A similar bill barring mandatory DEI statements in higher education passed Wisconsin’s Republican-led legislature but got vetoed by the Democratic governor.
Universities of Wisconsin students present their case studies
WKOW – Channel 27
The teams from UW-Madison, UW-River Falls, and UW-Platteville presented their projects to a panel of judges.
Sauk County board directs administrator to set aside funds for UW branch campus
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Sauk County Board of Supervisors voted last week to provide a financial boost to the University of Wisconsin- Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, the smallest campus in the Universities of Wisconsin system.
Pro-Palestinian students picket outside UWM chancellor’s residence, protest citations
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Amid quickly intensifying rain and ongoing citations for a previous protest, two dozen protesters, mostly University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students, picketed outside the UWM chancellor’s residence in Shorewood on Thursday, April 18.
UW system calls tuition hike ‘reasonable.’ How did it decide rate?
The Capital Times
When in-state undergraduates start classes this fall, they’ll pay more to attend the Universities of Wisconsin. That extra money will go toward rising health care costs and pay increases for university employees and financial aid for students, among other things.
UW President Lauds Superior Campus, And Earth Day’s Apostle Island Origins
Wisconsin Public Radio
In a speech touting the value of higher education to northwest Wisconsin delegates visiting the state Capitol for Superior Days, University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman singled out the system’s Superior campus for particular praise. But his talk came amid a third-party analysis showing financial deficits at 10 of Wisconsin’s public universities, including the Superior campus. Rothman’s speech, along with a review of the financial report, are highlighted.
Sauk County approves $390K for each of next 2 years for UW Baraboo campus
Wisconsin State Journal
The Sauk County Board has approved $390,000 in funding for UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County in each of the next two years in an effort to keep the campus open amid the closings of several other branch campuses in the Universities of Wisconsin system.
UW-Alumni ask lawmakers to prioritize higher education amidst a tuition bump
WKOW – Channel 27
A recent financial study shows several schools within the Universities of Wisconsin are in financial trouble.”For a long time, the legislature has underfunded public higher education, and that has led to the Universities of Wisconsin to have a financial strain,” said Sen. Kelda Roys (D).
A case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court could reshape state government. Here’s what to know
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Evers sued GOP lawmakers in October over decisions to withhold pay raises for University of Wisconsin System employees and to block conservation projects, arguing such actions made by legislative committees rather than the full Legislature violate the state Constitution’s separation of powers requirements.