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Category: Higher Education/System

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.

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.”

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 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.

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.

Tracking higher ed’s dismantling of DEI

The Chronicle of Higher Education

The Chronicle is tracking higher ed’s dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. As colleges make changes in response to anti-DEI legislation and mounting political pressure, an inconsistent and confusing landscape has emerged. This resource aims to document the changes and help readers better understand how the campaign against DEI has actually reshaped campuses.

Wisconsin public universities face challenging financial futures, according to reports

Wisconsin Examiner

University of Wisconsin schools are facing challenging financial futures without major changes, according to recent campus financial reports.

Several factors have led to campuses’ financial difficulties including declining state support on an inflation-adjusted basis over the last decade, the impacts of the decade-long tuition freeze that ended in 2022, declining enrollment and inflation.

These are the best graduate school programs in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Top graduate schools in Wisconsin landed on the latest U.S. News & World Report list ranking more than 2,000 programs across the country. U.S. News & World Report published its 2024-’25 report in April, ranking graduate programs in business, education, law and nursing, among other fields.

University of Wisconsin-Madison’s the School of Education tied for first overall with Teacher’s College, Columbia University, according the report. That’s up from third overall and second among public universities last year.