Category: Opinion

Editors? note: we?re pleased to post a ?long read,? but a good and worthwhile read, consisting of a series of informed reflections about the future of the university from an historical perspective. Universities 2030: Learning from the Past to Anticipate the Future, was coordinated and co-edited by our colleague Adam Nelson (Professor, Educational Policy Studies and History, University of Wisconsin-Madison). I asked Adam to explain more about how this material came together, so let?s pass it over to him! Kris Olds & Susan L. Robertson

As a conscious student at the University of Wisconsin, I can confidently say UW isn?t at the top of any diversity lists. Whether we choose to ignore it or not, Wisconsin is far from being as diverse as we like to believe it is.

When Wisconsin set up its new state-backed venture capital fund last year to spur economic development, one of the few industries left out in the cold was biotechnology.

Lisa T. Alexander is a professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She is the author of “Hip Hop and Housing: Revisiting Culture, Urban Space, Power and Law” and the forthcoming “Occupy the Right to Housing.”

Writer David Maraniss and former Regent Tom Lyons will receive honorary degrees during UW-Madison’s Friday commencement ceremonies on May 16.

The University of Wisconsin System has moved closer to the edge of political waters with the hiring of a lobbyist with links to Gov. Scott Walker to be vice president for university relations.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is once again looking for a new leader. But that?s not the biggest problem on campus. The school has scored three times in a row with chancellors ? hiring Nancy Zimpher, Carlos Santiago and Mike Lovell. There is no reason to suspect it can?t find a top candidate this time.

Opponents of affirmative action have leveled a new three-pronged attack on affirmative action in higher education that could significantly change admissions at selective universities and colleges for the better.

Kyara Moss graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2013.

No, he doesn?t have Anders Holm?s charm or Russell Wilson?s national title, but don?t cast judgement on this year?s commencement speaker quite yet.

Stanley Kutler is a University of Wisconsin professor emeritus.

Last year, the media reported that the University of Wisconsin System had been accumulating large reserves of money while simultaneously raising tuition year after year. Understandably, there was significant public backlash and the state Legislature reacted accordingly by mandating a tuition freeze.

In late April 2013, the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin chapter gathered for a post-election “workshop” on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In part, this is the fault of college administrators who have failed to control the cost of education. But we as taxpayers are also to blame. The share of tax dollars used to support our colleges and universities is far less than it once was.

Before college is even in session, Northwestern football players spend up to 60 hours a week practicing at a one-month training camp. During the three- or four-month football season, they put in up to 50 hours a week preparing for games. That?s more time than many full-time employees devote to their jobs.

In the fight against poverty, few issues are more contentious than the allocation of the billions of dollars set aside to help those in need. Whether the money comes from private donations or state tax revenues, arguments over how to use the monies arise both in domestic and international politics. This debate usually focuses on balancing two competing interests: providing significant, meaningful help while promoting independence rather than dependence. (John Hoffmire is Director of the Impact Bond Fund at Saïd Business School at Oxford University and directs the Center on Business and Poverty at the Wisconsin School of Business at UW-Madison.)

Noted: The Wisconsin Applied Population Lab, part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reports the state is already the 20th oldest out of 50. By 2020, 24% of the state will be 60 and older; by 2030, more than 27% will be 60-plus.

Noted: According to the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (in Ryan?s home state), the gap between the poverty rate in inner cities and that in rural areas and small towns is not as great as one might suspect. The inner city poverty rate is 19.7 percent, and the poverty rate in rural areas and small towns is 16.5 percent.

Noted: Twice, UW officials pushed language seeking to create blanket exemptions for university research. You?d think that after one embarassing beat-down, they would have learned their lesson. Both measures were stopped in their tracks.

What is an acceptable level of loan default? (Nicholas Hillman is assistant professor in the department of educational leadership & policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.)

Dear Editor: UW has not allowed classified research on campus for over 40 years but the Legislature wants to change that with AB 729/SB 578.

Noted: My dream was to study mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as try out for its track team.

This is a guest post by Steven Wilson, a doctoral student in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sometimes research takes on a life of its own and becomes more like a Rorschach test for a national policy controversy. That?s what?s happened to a review of the literature on the critical information needs of American communities that I and colleagues from around the country conducted for the Federal Communications Commission in July 2012. The recommendations of the review informed a proposed pilot study in Columbia, S.C., of what, if any, critical information needs citizens have and whether they are being met in our rapidly changing media environment.

Noted: Kelsey Mullane is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying art history and history. After graduation, she hopes to go on to graduate school and pursue a PhD in American history.

Noted: Bruce Barrett is a tenured professor and practicing family physician with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Margaret Mooney, Pam Kleiss, Dick Smith and Madeleine Para contributed to this op-ed, which is dedicated to physician-activist Jeff Patterson, who died on Jan. 24.

Noted: James J. Shaw, PhD, of Lake Mills is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the retired superintendent of the Racine Unified School District.

Some of the smartest thinkers on problems at home and around the world are university professors, but most of them just don?t matter in today?s great debates.

I for one will no longer call myself an alumni. Can I get my tuition back?

Noted: Ken Mayer and Barry Burden, professors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and redistricting experts, also are expected to speak.

I disagree with the Jan. 27 letter to the editor objecting to the UW-Madison Student-Athlete Performance Center.