The University of Wisconsin at Madison plans to hire up to 50 new faculty members in AI as soon as this spring.
AI Will Shake Up Higher Ed. Are Colleges Ready?
Chronicle of Higher Ed
Category: Higher Education/System
Wisconsin Republicans move to amend constitution as Assembly session winds to a close
Wisconsin Public Radio
Assembly Republicans also made good on the final part of a deal struck in December with the Universities of Wisconsin that released pre-approved funding for employee pay raises and building projects in exchange for new limits on campus diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI.
Top 5 percent of each graduating class can go to UW-Madison. What about everyone else?
Wisconsin Public Radio
Until this week, Imani Lewis, a junior at J.I. Case High School in Racine, hadn’t put a ton of thought into which college she’ll attend.
Lewis wants to go into biomedicine. She was thinking about attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but planned to look at other schools.
Then she learned about the law Gov. Tony Evers signed into legislation on Tuesday, allowing high schoolers to gain direct admission into UW-Madison if they are in the top 5 percent of their graduating class.
Now, she said, Madison has jumped to the top of her list.
Diversity in Wisconsin’s high schools and the future of DEI in higher education
PBS Wisconsin
As political battles churn over funding for diversity, equity and inclusion at the Universities of Wisconsin, changing demographics influence how K-12 educators prepare new generations of college students.
Journalist sues UW-Madison for rejecting request for name, image, likeness consulting contract
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A journalist sued the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its fundraising arm after the university denied his request for an athletic department consulting agreement that could shed more light on the name, image and likeness era of college athletics.
New UW-Madison engineering building approved, DEI targeted again
The Capital Times
Lawmakers approved spending millions of dollars for a new engineering building at UW-Madison, part of a funding package sent to Gov. Tony Evers that project advocates cheered as a “long time coming.”
Legislature approves $740M for UW system, including a new engineering building at UW-Madison
Wisconsin State Journal
The Legislature on Thursday approved about $740 million in capital investments across the Universities of Wisconsin, including a new engineering building at UW-Madison that rallied massive industry support.
Delayed FAFSA information has kept Wisconsin colleges, universities waiting
Wisconsin Public Radio
UW-Madison pushed its decision date from May 1 to May 15 to give families more time to weigh financial offers.
Helen Faith, director of the office of student financial aid at UW-Madison, said the “new and major” change to the application had a big impact on students. “Of course, they’re very anxious. They really want to know whether they can afford to come here,” Faith said.
Smith: Legislators propose UW study on effects of wake surfing on Wisconsin lakes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
With a pro-boating industry bill apparently dead in the Legislature and after a more lake-protective proposal failed to muster support among the Republican caucus, the prospect is dim for any new, statewide wake surfing law to take effect this year in Wisconsin.
But a measure to bolster the science of the impacts of wake-enhanced boating could garner more favor. A proposal announced Tuesday by Republicans would task the University of Wisconsin System with conducting a study on the effects of wake boating.
Unlocking our memories, U.S. response to Russia, FAFSA delays
Wisconsin Public Radio
Includes interview with Yoshiko Herrera, a professor of political science.
Wisconsin high school students ranked in top 5% of class guaranteed UW-Madison spot under new law
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
If you’re a Wisconsin high school student ranked in the top 5% of your class, you’re now guaranteed a seat at the University of Wisconsin-Madison if you want it.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed the Republican-authored bill into law Tuesday. It was part of a broader deal the UW System struck with the GOP-controlled Legislature about diversity programming, pay raises and building projects.
UW System launches online degree program
The Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin System launched Wisconsin Online, a collaboration between 13 campuses offering over 200 online degrees, on Feb. 1 to increase higher education access for students who need virtual accommodations.
Colleges counteract a lack of public confidence in higher education with outreach
NPR
ELDER-CONNORS: UVM isn’t the only college doing this. Auburn University in Alabama and the University of Wisconsin received money from the same federal program that funds UVM’s work. Glenda Gillaspy at the University of Wisconsin says they’re setting up weather stations to help cranberry farmers time their harvests, which involves flooding their fields.
New law guarantees top Wisconsin students a spot on a UW campus
Wisconsin State Journal
The new law is one of several required under a deal brokered between legislative Republicans and UW system President Jay Rothman that authorizes about $800 million for the UW system in exchange for the reclassification of several diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, positions.
Wisconsin’s top high schoolers now guaranteed UW system admission
The Capital Times
Under the bill, seniors who place in the top 10% of their high school’s graduating class could gain admission to the UW system school of their choice, except for UW-Madison, where those in the top 5% would be guaranteed admission.
Evers signs direct UW admissions pathway for top high school students
The Daily Cardinal
The law is part of a deal negotiated in December between the Republican-controlled Legislature and UW System leaders to provide funding for university employee pay raises and building projects in exchange for a hiring cap and restructuring of university diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
These are Wisconsin’s best companies to work for in the U.S., according to Forbes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Top employers across Wisconsin landed on the latest Forbes report ranking midsize and large employers for the nation’s best places to work. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was ranked 113th nationally among large employers with more than 5,000 employees.
University of Wisconsin extends May 1 commitment deadline, citing FAFSA delays
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 1 has long been the traditional decision deadline for high school seniors to commit to college. But the federal government’s delays with a new financial aid form are prompting some institutions to extend the registration deadline. The University of Wisconsin-Madison joined the growing list Monday, moving their admitted student deposit and on-campus housing contract deadlines to May 15.
U.S. Department of Education announces new strategies to improve FAFSA processing
The Badger Herald
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the Department of Education’s new college support strategy Feb. 12. The plan aims to help universities process FAFSA information easier and simpler.
Republican lawmakers approve amendment to restrict statewide diversity practices
The Daily Cardinal
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, would include the University of Wisconsin System in another strike at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in state offices.
Students across America put off college decisions due to FAFSA delay
Associated Press
Helen Faith, director of the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said she worries that the delays will harm both students and schools.”What ends up happening is that our underrepresented and most fragile populations are the ones that are disproportionately affected,” said Hill.
Cybersecurity Needs at UW-Madison
The Daily Cardinal
In this episode, host Sarah Wesela interviewed writer Liam Beran on the recent Board of Regents meeting on cybersecurity.
Wisconsin Assembly passes constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
The Associated Press
A constitutional amendment supported by Republicans that attempts to limit diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Wisconsin won approval Thursday in the state Assembly.
Assembly passes divisive power competition bill, proposed limits to DEI initiatives
Wisconsin State Journal
The chamber also advanced a Republican-authored constitutional amendment that would bar local governments and state agencies from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to anybody on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
SSTAR lab report shows ‘equity-based’ funding could increase student success
Badger Herald
The recent SSTAR report — “Designing Higher Education Funding Models to Promote Student Success” — examines the importance of higher education funding, including the issues that arise when funding is distributed inequitably. Financial resources are necessary for higher education institutions to fund advising, classes and technology, according to Dziesinski. But when a university does not have enough funding it cannot adequately serve students, Dziesinski said.
Universities of Wisconsin launch website housing over 200 system online degrees, programs
Badger Herald
“It’s a one-stop-shop that showcases the excellent online education our universities offer,” Universities of Wisconsin president says.
UW–Madison maintains application fee as other UW campuses remove it
Badger Herald
Despite waiver opportunities, high fees may discourage lower income applicants, expert says.
Wisconsin Assembly to vote on divisive power competition bill, limits to DEI initiatives
Wisconsin State Journal
The proposed constitutional amendment before the Assembly on Thursday is the latest step in Wisconsin Republicans’ fight against government-run diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Republican lawmakers last year struck a deal requiring the Universities of Wisconsin to restructure their DEI programs, and GOP legislative leaders have said they plan to scrutinize similar programs in state agencies.
Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
The Associated Press
The proposal up for a vote Thursday would prohibit state and local governments, including the Universities of Wisconsin and local school districts, from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to anybody on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. It requires hiring decisions to be based on “merit, fairness and equality,” a term conservatives have used as a counter to DEI.
UW-Oshkosh professors push for no-confidence vote on chancellor, citing financial failures
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Oshkosh faculty are pushing the Faculty Senate to hold a no-confidence vote on Chancellor Andrew Leavitt’s leadership, following his decision last fall to eliminate one in six jobs in an attempt to address the largest budget shortfall in the Universities of Wisconsin system.
UW schools benefit financially from thousands of acres of former tribal land
Wisconsin Examiner
During the fall 2023 semester there were fewer than 700 Native Americans enrolled at Universities of Wisconsin schools, about 0.4% of the total student population, according to system data. Yet despite that minuscule proportion, Wisconsin’s Native American tribes continue to have a large impact on the UW System.
UW-Madison launches environmental sustainability initiative
Wisconsin Public Radio
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is launching an environmental sustainability initiative that will include carbon-reduction goals and a new research hub on campus.
UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin made the announcement during a recent UW Board of Regents meeting in Madison.
Concordia University Wisconsin will cut staff, ‘reimagine’ its Ann Arbor campus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Concordia University Wisconsin will cut staff and make significant changes to its operations, including potentially selling some of its Michigan campus property.
The institution is the latest in Wisconsin to downsize in an effort to reduce costs and balance its budget.
Wisconsin Legislature approves guaranteed admissions
Inside Higher Ed
The University of Wisconsin at Madison will likely be required to admit all in-state students who graduate in the top 5 percent of their high school class under a bill approved by the state Legislature Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Free speech debates persist across campuses. Wisconsin leaders struggle with solutions
Daily Cardinal
Debates on UW campuses over belonging, free expression, and social and political identity have been raised more frequently in recent months as legislative Republicans seek to fund free speech programs and cut diversity initiatives.
State legislature passes bill ensuring top 5% of high schoolers admitted to UW-Madison
Badger Herald
Other UW campuses required to admit top 10%.
Legislature sends UW ‘automatic admission’ bill to Evers’ desk
Wisconsin Public Radio
State universities would be required to admit the top academic performers from Wisconsin high schools under a Republican measure passed by state lawmakers Tuesday.
Universities of WI would admit all top-performing high schoolers under bill
Associated Press
The University of Wisconsin-Madison would be required to admit all high school students who finish in the top 5% of their class, and other campuses would have to admit those in the top 10%, under a bill passed Tuesday by the state Senate that’s part of a deal reached between the Legislature and university
In a bid to be more accessible, most UW campuses drop application fee
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Applying to most state public universities will now be free.
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved eliminating application fees to 10 of the 13 UW campuses. UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison will continue to charge $25, $25 and $70, respectively.
UW-Milwaukee students stage sit-in, calling attention to library named after Golda Meir
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
About two dozen University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students staged a sit-in outside the chancellor’s office Friday, escalating their demands for the Golda Meir library to be renamed and study abroad trips to Israel to end.
Medical school leader steps down, New UW-Oshkosh school of informatics, heat pumps, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Wisconsin Public Radio
We speak with Robert Golden, the outgoing dean of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
UW-Madison launches research initiative with plans to hire faculty focused on AI
Wisconsin Public Radio
The University of Wisconsin-Madison plans to recruit up to 150 new faculty members over the next three to five years for a research initiative focused on artificial intelligence.
For jobs paying at least $50K a year in Wisconsin, about two-thirds require a college degree, according to a new report
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
An analysis by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found Wisconsin’s student loan debt is low compared to most other states. Federal student loans still directly affect more than a half-million Wisconsin residents — an estimated 715,800 people — for an average of $32,230 in loans each; that’s nearly one in four people in the labor force, according to 2020 data.
UW-Madison to embark on a faculty hiring spree. One area of research focus: artificial intelligence
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is significantly staffing up.
Under a new hiring initiative, UW-Madison expects to recruit between 120 and 150 new faculty members over the next three to five years, in addition to regular hiring. The university hires an average of 130 new faculty annually.
Madison College president Jack Daniels postpones retirement
Wisconsin State Journal
MATC’s district board announced the decision at its monthly meeting Wednesday night, with board chair Donald Dantzler saying in a statement that selecting the college’s next president is the “most significant responsibility” facing the board.
Republican bill would ban race consideration in college aid
Daily Cardinal
A Republican bill to ban race consideration for college financial aid has brought concern for how marginalized students will succeed in the Wisconsin higher education system.
‘This is a very different world’: 4 takeaways from Regents cybersecurity, data infrastructure talks
Daily Cardinal
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents looked at expansions to cybersecurity insurance, new database projects and third-party data management procedures during Thursday meetings.
Inequity in higher education funding, A Republican conflict on border measures and Ukraine funding, The significance of Pitchfork
Wisconsin Public Radio
Earlier this month, UW-Madison’s Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab released a new report revealing how, in higher education, students and schools with the least financial need often receive the most government funding. We talk to Nick Hillman, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and director of SSTAR, about the causes of funding disparities and how “equity-based” funding models could address them.
Democratic proposal would prohibit firearms on Wisconsin college campuses
Wisconsin Public Radio
State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and state Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, were approached by a group of University of Wisconsin-Madison professors and asked to strengthen campus firearm laws.
Jack O’Meara represents the Public Representation Organization of the Faculty Senate, or PROFS, a nonprofit advocacy organization of UW-Madison faculty. He said there was increased concern after the Feb. 13, 2023, mass shooting at Michigan State University. In that incident, three students were killed and five others were injured when a gunman entered a building on the East Lansing campus.
UW system launches online degree one-stop shop as it looks to boost enrollment, graduation rates
Wisconsin State Journal
The Universities of Wisconsin hopes a new one-stop shop for online degree programs across its 13 universities will boost enrollment and graduation rates, especially for adult learners and traditional-age students looking for virtual options.
Universities of Wisconsin launch website to market online degrees
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Universities of Wisconsin want to make it easier for students seeking online degree programs.
And in turn, market those programs to prospective students across the country.
Republican-led bill would fund UW free speech office
Daily Cardinal
In a hearing from the Committee on Colleges and Universities, Republican lawmakers presented a bill to support free speech on UW System campuses.
Applying to most UW system campuses would be free under Board of Regents proposal
Wisconsin State Journal
The UW Board of Regents is planning to eliminate application fees at most Universities of Wisconsin schools, a proposal that is set to go before the board later this week.
Universities as far away as Madison may rent out dorm rooms for 2024 RNC
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin colleges and universities will play a key part of the housing puzzle this summer when the city hosts thousands of visitors for the Republican National Convention.
Critics, colleges disagree on equity of differential tuition
Inside Higher Ed
Other universities that have implemented differential tuition have put the extra bucks toward similar goals. The University of Wisconsin at Madison began charging extra tuition to juniors and seniors studying business in 2007 and has since expanded the practice to engineering and nursing majors as well as underclassmen majoring in business.
Wisconsin Supreme Court takes up Evers lawsuit against Legislature over blocked UW pay raises, conservation projects
Wisconsin Public Radio
A lawsuit filed by Gov. Tony Evers against Republican lawmakers who blocked pay raises for university employees and funding for conservation projects has been accepted by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Evers signs bills releasing UW pay raises
Wisconsin Examiner
Gov. Tony Evers signed two bills, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 92 and 2023 Wisconsin Act 93, on Friday that will release long-awaited pay raises to employees of the University of Wisconsin System.
UW took unusual steps after a professor resigned amid sex harassment probe
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
At first glance, it looked like Richard Brunson had outrun his past.
The former professor resigned from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Marshfield in 2022 after an investigation found he had sexually harassed students. He landed a new teaching job at a school district less than an hour away and had moved on.
Wisconsin’s video game industry could get a boost with tax credit
The Capital Times
The bill also has backing from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where around 365 students are currently enrolled in video game development programs. While 60% of that university’s graduates stay in Wisconsin, less than 20% of the video game program graduates stay, according to testimony from professor Andrew Williams, who has taught game design classes at UW-Stout and worked as an art director in the video game industry.
Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to take up Gov. Evers’s lawsuit against GOP lawmakers
Associated Press
One of the legislative vetoes blocked conservation projects selected by the Department of Natural Resources. Evers also challenged a veto that blocked already approved pay raises for 35,000 University of Wisconsin system employees, but after he filed the lawsuit, Republicans and the university system reached an agreement approving raises if the school cuts back on diversity initiatives.