The Teaching Assistant Association and United Council invited Chancellor Biddy Martin and 10 other University of Wisconsin affiliates to debate the controversial New Badger Partnership with them Tuesday.
Martin, TAA debate NBP
Daily Cardinal
Category: State news
UW students, faculty debate New Badger Partnership model
WKOW-TV 27
A proposal to divide UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin system is dividing university leaders, faculty, and students.
Professor disciplined for politicking
WKOW-TV 27
A UW-Oshkosh professor received a letter of reprimand for urging students to consider signing a recall petition against Senator Randy Hopper during a class session.
Voter ID clears Assembly committee
Wisconsin Radio Network
Republican legislation requiring voter ID has passed a state Assembly committee on Tuesday. The Assembly Election and Campaign Reform Committee acted in the bill, with Democrats complaining that they hadn?t had a chance to look at a lengthy amendment.
What Good Do Faculty Unions Do?
Chronicle of Higher Education
As unions that represent public-college professors have come under attack in state legislatures, the unions? leaders have fought back without being able to define what, exactly, they stand to lose if their right to collectively bargain goes away.
Professor disciplined for politicking
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON — A UW-Oshkosh professor received a letter of reprimand for urging students to consider signing a recall petition against Senator Randy Hopper during a class session. In a statement, Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) called for public affairs professor Stephen Richards? resignation.
On Campus: Panel to debate public authority status for University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuesday
Wisconsin State Journal
A discussion Tuesday will look at the plan to make the university a public authority.
The panel, A Critical Look at the New Badger Partnership, is sponsored by the Teaching Assistants’ Association and United Council and will be held at 3 p.m. in Varsity Hall I of Union South. Update on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m.: The T.A.A. said UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin will not be attending this event because of a health issue. The university will reportedly send another representative in her proxy.
GOP proposal: College IDs may work as voter IDs, with limits
Wisconsin State Journal
Students trying to vote in Wisconsin elections may be able to use college ID cards under changes to a bill requiring voters to show identification at the polls proposed by Republicans. But some Democrats called the changes “meaningless,” saying the revised bill still threatens to keep college students from voting, is costly and risks exposing students? privacy. Earlier drafts of the legislation barred student ID cards from being used at the polls. But the latest version, which will go to a vote before an Assembly committee Tuesday morning, would allow a voter to use an identification card from accredited public or private university or college if it included a photo, date of birth, current address, an expiration date no more than four years away, and a signature. The GOP proposal privacy concerns, opponents said, noting that the UW-Madison student ID is also used as a key card for the dormitories. Anyone who found a lost card could have not only the student?s address but access to the residence hall where he or she lives.
UW’s faculty senate votes in favor of UW System split
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison?s faculty senate voted Monday to support public authority status for the university, a controversial budget proposal that would split the flagship university from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System. In doing so, they answered a call from UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, who sought support for the plan from the campus, in the face of opposition from others in the UW System.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison faculty senate backs split from system
Capital Times
With the 2010-11 academic year winding to a close, UW-Madison?s faculty senate passed a resolution supporting Gov. Scott Walker?s controversial proposal to award Wisconsin?s flagship institution some long sought freedoms from state oversight by granting it public authority status and breaking it away from the UW System.
“I am very happy about the senate?s support of the public authority model,” UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin — who was unable to attend Monday evening?s meeting at Bascom Hall due to a “health problem” — said in an email to the Cap Times. “I appreciate the hard work of the University Committee and the serious deliberations of the faculty.”
Photo ID bill could create security problem on campuses
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Assembly Republicans have tweaked a bill requiring voters to show identification at the polls to allow some college IDs, but Democrats are ripping the change as window dressing.
University of Wisconsin-Madison IDs in their current form would not be adequate to vote under the provisions of the bill. That?s because the bill requires college IDs to have current addresses and dates of birth on them.
Wisconsin Senate recall races tempt Assembly members
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Charles Franklin, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
After months in limbo, voter ID bill will include university cards
Badger Herald
After many students raised concerns Wisconsin college students would be negatively affected by voter ID legislation being debated in the Legislature, a substitute amendment was released Friday containing language that would include student IDs on the list of identification accepted by election polling staff.
Our View: Changes, scrutiny needed in budget process
Wausau Daily Herald
Changes to the UW System. As we wrote last week in this space, we oppose splitting the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the rest of the UW System. While we agree that changes are necessary to allow universities to be more flexible and more efficient, they should be applied to the entirety of the system — not just to Madison. This is better achieved through standalone legislation than through a provision in the budget bill.
Stuart Shapiro: Doctors supported traumatized workers
Wisconsin State Journal
I can?t believe the University of Wisconsin can consider the UW physicians at the recent demonstrations at the state Capitol frivolous or unprofessional. Never in my lifetime have I witnessed government treating people ? many who considered themselves professional, as UW graduates usually do ? so callously.
State Cranberry Leaders Back Badger Partnership Idea
Wisconsin Ag Connection
At least one Wisconsin farm organization says it?s backing the New Badger Partnership, which would make the University of Wisconsin-Madison autonomous from the rest of the UW-System.
Biz Beat: Milwaukee 2nd in U.S. for job growth; Madison 76th
Capital Times
….the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area — which includes Dane, Iowa and Columbia counties — added just 400 jobs in the past 12 months for a 0.1 percent increase, 76th out of the 100 largest metro areas. The jobs report received little coverage in the Madison media, not surprising given that job creation has been flat here.
Noel Radomski, who heads a UW-Madison think tank, says the region hasn?t had to aggressively pursue a pro-growth strategy because of all the public-sector jobs here. That has allowed policymakers to focus on other issues like social safety nets and environmental regulations, he says.
Outspoken professor gives Biddy Martin’s plan a failing grade
Capital Times
Sara Goldrick-Rab does not shy away from controversy. Being direct, she says, is in her genes.
….The assistant professor of educational policy studies and sociology is the most outspoken faculty critic of Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to award UW-Madison some long sought freedoms from state oversight by granting it public authority status and breaking it away from the rest of the UW System. sue that has divided many smart folks both on campus and across the state.
Cranberry group backs New Badger Partnership
Wisconsin Radio Network
The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association is behind the New Badger Partnership, which would make UW-Madison autonomous from the rest of the UW-System.
Martin faces tough crowd at 2nd forum
Badger Herald
Students gathered in the hallway outside Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office in Bascom Hall Friday to urge the University of Wisconsin?s chief executive to plot an alternate course for the school?s future.
Attack on New Badger Partnership fueled by partisan divide
Badger Herald
Apparently, I attend Koch University.At least, that?s what a flier from last week?s protest of the New Badger Partnership atop Bascom told me. The flier also had a picture of Chancellor Biddy Martin photoshopped onto the body of Queen Elizabeth.
Dems’ NBP stance vague, disappointing
Daily Cardinal
Mike Mikalsen and I don?t agree on much. Mikalsen, the research assistant and lead strategist for state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, has played a central role in Nass? work as the main thorn in the side of UW-Madison. So as I spoke with Mikalsen over the phone last week concerning the proposed New Badger Partnership, it was no surprise that I disagreed with much of what he said.
Chancellor Remains Confident In Plan To Spin Off UW-Madison
WISC-TV 3
Critics of a plan to split the University of Wisconsin-Madison off from the rest of the UW System believe they are gaining traction as lawmakers express their doubts, but UW-Madisons chancellor says she remains confident.
Collective bargaining may be part of budget, not court ruling
Badger Herald
With the controversial budget repair bill currently stuck in the court system, Republicans have been discussing ways to ensure Wisconsin municipalities still receive the tools Gov. Scott Walker said were contained in the bill which limited collective bargaining authority for public employees, including adding that provision to the biennial budget bill.
Hands on Wisconsin: An academic take on the Royal Wedding
Wisconsin State Journal
I decided to use the wedding as a sort of topical prop to help me draw a cartoon on a topic that I do care about, UW-Madison?s attempt to split off from the rest of the UW-System.
University of Wisconsin Considering Punishing Doctors Who Issued Sick Notes to Protesters (FoxNews)
Some of the doctors at the University of Wisconsin who gave out sick notes to union supporters skipping work to protest face punishment ranging from written reprimands to docked pay and loss of leadership positions.
Giving the UW-Madison more freedom with the New Badger Partnership makes sense
Isthmus
Since I graduated from the UW-Madison last May, my sense of attachment to the university has actually increased. Still, I couldn?t help but feel like a poseur as I filled out a Wisconsin Alumni Association membership form online.
UW System president speaks out against New Badger Partnership proposal
Wisconsin Public Radio
The head of the University of Wisconsin System says that splitting off the Madison campus from the rest of the statewide public college system would be costly and would damage the reputations of all campuses.
UW doctors face charges for giving medical excuse notes to protesters
Daily Cardinal
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health completed its investigation Tuesday regarding UW doctors who wrote medical notes excusing protesters from work and school Feb. 19.
Hearing for controversial Voter ID bill draws younger audience
Badger Herald
Despite the voter ID bill?s author?s statements to the contrary, the hearing held Wednesday on the controversial measure saw members of the voting public testify that requiring photo identification at the polls would disenfranchise many vulnerable citizens across Wisconsin.
Tom Lyon: Don?t dismantle UW System as part of rancorous budget debate
Capital Times
If the current proposed legislation designating UW-Madison as a public authority is adopted, I would anticipate the following changes over the next decade and beyond:
Giving the UW-Madison more freedom makes sense
Isthmus
Since I graduated from the UW-Madison last May, my sense of attachment to the university has actually increased. Still, I couldnt help but feel like a poseur as I filled out a Wisconsin Alumni Association membership form online.
Wis. pays $12.9 million to Minn. for tuition deal
Madison.com
The more than 40-year-old tuition agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin has turned into a good financial deal for Minnesota students, while Wisconsin officials are working to reduce the program?s cost. Wisconsin paid $12.9 million to the state of Minnesota and its colleges and universities for the 10,301 Wisconsin students who went west for the 2009-2010 school year, according to a report released Wednesday. That was the largest tab since at least 1975. The rising expense prompted Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to ask the Legislature in March to change the reciprocity agreement to make Wisconsin students pay a greater share of their education in Minnesota. That would shrink the state?s obligation. The request is pending.
Wis. GOP renews push to deregulate landlines
Madison.com
Quoted: Barry Orton, a University of Wisconsin-Madison telecommunications professor.
Wis. Veterans Board asks for 3 legislative changes (WTAQ News)
The Wisconsin Veterans? Affairs Board has asked legislators to make three major changes in the proposed state budget. It took issue with the governor?s plan to split UW Madison from the rest of the university system.
Flagship universities learning to adapt to less state aid (ScrippsNews)
Scripps Howard News Service
Many public university systems? flagship campuses, faced with state funding cuts, are hiking tuition, increasing the numbers of higher-paying nonresident students, ramping up fundraising — and confronting the very notion of what it means to be a public institution.
Proposal requiring voters to show photo ID at polls would take effect in 2012
Associated Press
A proposal that would require Wisconsin voters to show photo identification at the polls is expected to be voted on in May and take effect in 2012.
Wis. pays Minn. nearly $13 million in tuition reciprocity; largest tab since at least 1975 (AP)
Associated Press
The more than 40-year-old tuition agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin has turned into a good financial deal for Minnesota students, while Wisconsin officials are working to reduce the program?s cost.
Voter ID bill gets public hearing
Wisconsin Radio Network
An Assembly committee held a day long public hearing at the state Capitol Wednesday, on Republican legislation which would require Wisconsin residents to show photo identification in order to vote. It?s legislation which opponents claim will disenfranchise voters, and make Wisconsin the most restrictive state in terms of what ID would be allowed. The hearing quickly became contentious.
Editorial: Why Not Madison College Too?
WISC-TV 3
Welcome to the autonomy discussion Madison College. Thanks for advancing the conversation President Bettsey Barhorst. And welcome to the new world of higher education Wisconsin.
Barhorst thinks Madison College should have the same amount of autonomy from state budget and regulatory rules as Chancellor Biddy Martin is seeking for UW Madison. Of course she does. While on a smaller scale, the competitive world in which Madison College and most other colleges operate is similar. And it?s a different world that that of 10 years ago, and certainly 40 years ago.
Chalkboard: Important voice missing in blue ribbon reading discussion
Capital Times
While working on another story this morning, I kept checking Wisconsin Eye?s live coverage of the first meeting of Gov. Scott Walker?s blue ribbon task force on reading.
….Unfortunately, as far as I could tell from the portions of today’s conversation that I saw online, there wasn’t representation from the education schools at the table in the Governor’s conference room. In the future, it would be useful to hear from people like the UW’s Julie Underwood, dean of the School of Education, or from researchers who are studying the remarkably complex business of learning to read. Until these folks responsible for teacher training and curriculum speak up and contribute their voices to the discussion, I’m not sure there’s much hope of changing the status quo.
J.B. Van Hollen: Alcohol is most prevalent date rape drug
Capital Times
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a month focused on raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual assaults. Sexual assault is a pervasive problem in our society. It is estimated that one in six American women has been the victim of sexual assault or attempted assault. However, sexual assault can affect people of any gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or ability.
Biz Beat: Public pensions face changes
Capital Times
Government employees are some of the last workers still covered by traditional pension plans, which guarantee retirees a payment until they die. But facing tight budgets and a new economic reality, many states — including Wisconsin — have looked at shifting workers into personal savings accounts like a 401(k).
Students protest UW-Madison split with Bascom Hall sit-in
Capital Times
UW-Madison students showed their displeasure over a proposed split of the main campus from the UW system by staging a sit-in in Bascom Hall Tuesday afternoon outside of Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office.
The chancellor met with about 100 students and staff for about 90 minutes at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, talking about the New Badger Partnership, a plan to give UW-Madison “public authority” status by splitting it from the other schools in the system.
Campus Connection: UW-Madison chancellor meets with student protesters
Capital Times
A group of more than 60 students convinced Biddy Martin to come out of her Bascom Hall office Tuesday afternoon to chat about the state budget and future of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With five members of the UW Police Department looking on, the students and UW-Madison chancellor held a sometimes tense but mostly friendly conversation in a first-floor hallway.
Maggie Merdler: Use inclusive public authority model
Wisconsin State Journal
What is being proposed as a “public authority” for the campus has no semblance to the public authority at UW Hospital…It has been 15 years since UW Hospital became an excellent model of a public authority, aggressively striving and meeting the goals of quality, competitive health care and labor peace. Let?s use the model.
Some Republican leaders break with Walker over budget cuts (AP)
Wisconsin State Journal
Republican leaders of the Legislature?s budget-writing committee indicated Tuesday that they will break with Gov. Scott Walker on some parts of his two-year spending plan, including removing the requirement and money for local recycling efforts and changing the popular SeniorCare prescription drug program. They spoke before the Joint Finance Committee began taking votes on changes to Walker?s first budget. Committee co-chair Robin Vos (R-Racine) has said it was “highly unlikely” the committee will go along with Walker?s plan to break the Madison campus off from the UW System. That issue has divided both the Madison campus and the university system, with other campuses and UW President Kevin Reilly arguing against it. They, and some lawmakers, have argued that all 14 four-year campuses in the system should have the same autonomy that Walker is proposing for Madison. Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has argued strenuously for the plan, saying it was necessary for the flagship campus to deal with a $125 million cut Walker is proposing — half of the $250 million cut Walker wants for the entire university system.
Editorial: The Republican Threat to Voting
New York Times
Noted: The Wisconsin bill refuses to recognize college photo ID cards, even if they are issued by a state university, thus cutting off many students at the University of Wisconsin and other campuses. The Texas bill, so vital that Gov. Rick Perry declared it emergency legislation, would also reject student IDs, but would allow anyone with a handgun license to vote.
Wisconsin Republicans disagree with Gov. Scott Walker on recycling, SeniorCare (AP)
Green Bay Press-Gazette
Noted: Vos has also said it was “highly unlikely” the committee will go along with Walker?s plan to break the UW-Madison campus off from the UW System.
UW disciplines doctors who wrote fake sick notes
Wisconsin Radio Network
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health completes its review of UW physicians who gave medical-excuse notes to protesters at the State Capitol during a huge rally. It was widely reported that several doctors provided a sick note for a person?s absence from work or school on February 19th. Some of the activity was video taped and made available to media outlets.
UW Students protest Badger Partnership
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW)–Police at the University of Wisconsin were called to Bascom Hall on Tuesday evening after a group of protesters refused to leave the building.
UW will take action against doctors who wrote fake sick notes
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW)– Several doctors face discipline for writing medical excuses for teachers attending protests at the Capitol.
Madison College leaders hoping for change in tech. system
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON (WKOW) — Madison Area Technical College leaders are hoping for a change in the way the technical system runs.
UW Considering Action On Doctors Who Wrote Sick Notes
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin said it may punish some of its doctors who provided medical excuse notes for protesters attending rallies at the state Capitol in February.
Students Protest UW-Madison Split At Bascom Hall
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Madison students and campus community members are engaging in a sit-in at Bascom Hall to protest the idea of splitting UW-Madison from the rest of the UW System.
Senate Dems: Changes in reciprocity could hurt Wis. higher ed
Badger Herald
Four Democrats on the state?s highest finance committee said they would oppose proposed changes to tuition reciprocity, a measure that could cause tuition spikes for Wisconsinites studying in Minnesota.
Chris Rickert: Hey kids ? date night and politics don’t mix
Wisconsin State Journal
I was disappointed last week to read in this newspaper?s “Labor?s last stand?” series that some UW-Madison students have been breaking up with their honeys over disagreements about what?s been happening at the Capitol.
On Campus: Democrats object to changes to tuition reciprocity with Minnesota
Wisconsin State Journal
Four Democrats on the state?s budget committee raised objections to proposed changes to Wisconsin?s tuition reciprocity program with Minnesota. The proposal won?t end the program, which allows Wisconsin and Minnesota students to pay in-state tuition at public universities in either state. But it means Wisconsin students would pay more to attend college in Minnesota. The changes would eliminate a subsidy – paid by the state of Wisconsin – which gives Wisconsin students a grant to cover higher in-state tuition in Minnesota. Gov. Scott Walker says the change would save Wisconsin taxpayers $12 million a year. About 10,300 students take part in the program.
On Campus: On two ends of State Street, two sides of UW-Madison debate
On opposite ends of State Street, two student groups with radically different viewpoints will voice their opinions today about the proposal to split UW-Madison from the University of Wisconsin System. At Bascom Hall at 1 p.m., students will protest the budget proposal to make UW-Madison into a public authority. The group, including members of the Student Labor Action Coalition, will hold a mock auction to signify what they say is a handover of the university to private special interests. Bascom Hall is where UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin?s office is located. About a mile away, at the state Capitol, students in favor the proposal will lobby legislators, said Jon Alfuth, a coordinator of Students for the New Badger Partnership.
Madison Area Technical College wants more freedom
Wisconsin State Journal
Call it budget envy, but the president of Madison Area Technical College wants a deal similar to UW-Madison?s treatment in the state budget ? more autonomy. Bettsey Barhorst said Monday that MATC needs more freedom from the state in order to run more cheaply and efficiently, especially in the face of a proposed 30 percent cut in state aid and a proposed freeze in property tax increases. Barhorst said state rules for building, program approvals and personnel certification mean piles of paperwork, a lengthy process and added expense for the college.