Describe how you heard about the job. Did you contact the UW System about it or did someone with the System contact you? Who was involved in these discussions?
Category: State news
Assembly District 77: Candidates jockey to be the greenest
Capital Times
In an eight-way race to fill the seat of retiring state Rep. Spencer Black, a majority of the candidates are echoing the progressive, pro-environmental policies that defined Black?s 26 years in office. Politically speaking, it?s a smart move.
Quoted: Political science professor David Canon
Wisconsin not included among Race to the Top grant finalists
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: “That was a step in the right direction, but not a big step,” said Allan Odden, a Race to the Top expert with UW-Madison?s Wisconsin Center for Education Research. “Other states went farther than we did and that?s ultimately why we rated lower.”
UW-Milwaukee student identified as flooding victim
WKOW-TV 27
MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A 19-year-old UW-Milwaukee student missing from Cudahy has been identified as the body pulled from a creek Saturday night. The Milwaukee Dive Rescue Team pulled the body from the Lincoln Creek near 32nd Street and Hampton Avenue around 8 p.m Saturday. Family members said Kyle Pelesnik has been missing since Thursday.
Morgan Ducks Questions On Controversial UW Job
WISC-TV 3
A former aide to Gov. Jim Doyle is ducking questions about his controversial new job at the University of Wisconsin System and $108,000 pay increase.
UW System wants furloughs to end, raises restored
Associated Press
University of Wisconsin System officials said Friday they will push the state to end employee furloughs next year and restore 2 percent raises taken away from faculty and staff.
Next ag secretary must be a fighter for farms and food
Capital Times
The death of Rod Nilsestuen, who drowned Wednesday while swimming in Lake Superior, leaves a huge hole in state government.
Of all the tributes to Nilsestuen, I was particularly struck by what Molly Jahn, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, had to say….
Jahn would be an appealing choice, although she is just back from a stint as deputy undersecretary of research, education and economics in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
State’s longtime public defender looks for new chapter
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: UW Law School professor Michele Lavigne, a former public defender, who directs the public defender internship program at the law school and teaches classes about criminal defense. ?He?s been there so long, it?s hard to imagine it without him,? she said.
Hmong presence growing at Farmer’s Market
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: Farmers markets are especially important for recent immigrants, said Alfonso Morales, an assistant professor of urban and regional planning at UW-Madison and an expert on public markets. A market, such as the Dane County Farmers? Market, where shoppers pay a premium, gives the Hmong a better outlet than a roadside stand or another farmers? market because of its great reputation and its large, affluent customer base.The income they make frequently gets plowed back into their operations and paid forward through investment in their children, he said.
UW System Wants Furloughs To End, Raises Restored
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin System officials said they will push the state to end employee furloughs next year and restore 2 percent raises taken away from faculty and staff.
Michael Morgan, the system?s new chief operating officer, told the Board of Regents Friday the system would not propose a plan to help lagging university salaries catch up to those at rival schools.
Nilsestuen is remembered as helping to transform state’s ag industries
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: “We?ve had some good secretaries of agriculture, but I?ve got to say under Rod we?ve done more positive things for Wisconsin agriculture,” said UW-Madison dairy economist Bob Cropp. “There?s a lot of progress that?s been made under his leadership.”
Candidate takes her ballot fight to federal court
Wisconsin State Journal
Quoted: “The ballot is very heavily regulated real estate,” said Kenneth Mayer, a UW-Madison political science professor. Griffin will probably lose her battle, he said, because the ballot “is not designed as a platform for candidates to give political statements.”
Wis. court: Man can’t sue over fiancee’s slaying (AP)
Madison.com
A slain University of Wisconsin-Madison student?s fiance cannot sue authorities for mishandling her 911 call or the couple?s landlords for lax security because he doesn?t have the legal standing, a court ruled Thursday. The District 4 Court of Appeals dismissed two lawsuits filed by Jordan Gonnering, whose fiancee, Brittany Zimmermann, was stabbed and strangled by an intruder in their Madison apartment in April 2008. The killing remains unsolved.
Wis. mayor’s silence on attack wins him admirers
Madison.com
Quoted: Barry C. Burden, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor, said voters would be reminded of the attack at the sentencing and again during televised debates in fall when it will be obvious he can?t fully use his hand. He compared it to former GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole, who didn?t have use one of his arms because of war injuries. “I think those kind of personal factors get more weight for voters who are paying peripheral attention and right now that?s most Wisconsin voters, frankly,” he said.
Wis. ag. secretary’s death leaves ‘glaring void’
Madison.com
Rod Nilsestuen, the head of Wisconsin?s Department of Agriculture since 2003 who died while swimming in Lake Superior, was remembered Thursday as a consensus-building, bipartisan, visionary advocate for farmers. He earned a law degree from UW-Madison.
Quoted: Nilsestuen?s “passionate commitment” to preserving agricultural land will leave a “towering legacy of his influence,” said Molly Jahn, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison?s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Chris Rickert: Flap over bus-driver pay says less about them than it does about us
Wisconsin State Journal
I?ve been hoping to catch a glimpse of one of those six-figure Metro Transit drivers. You know the ones. Those overpaid working stiffs who do nothing but drive around all day in air-conditioned buses, raking in our hard-earned tax dollars like so many Capitol-bound commuters. For comparison?s sake, UW Athletics Director Barry Alvarez and UW football coach Bret Bielema get $500,000 and $400,000, respectively, per year out of a public university?s coffers. Should they? The not-for-profit, tax-exempt UW Foundation puts another several hundred thousand more into their pockets. Should it?
UW-Madison to study how nonprofits may have helped in decline of black infant mortality
Wisconsin State Journal
The UW Center for Nonprofits will study how nonprofits may have contributed to a dramatic decline in Dane County?s black infant mortality rate in recent years, the center announced. The center received a $50,000 grant from the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research to look at nonprofits? influence on black babies surviving their first year. The county?s black infant mortality rate declined in 2002 to 2007, a decrease that gained national attention, but rose in 2008 and remained higher last year than the earlier years. ABC for Health, Access Community Health Centers and the South Madison Health and Family Center-Harambee are among the agencies that will be analyzed, said Jeanan Yasiri, executive director of the UW Center for Nonprofits.
Wisconsin court denies new trial in gang rape
Madison.com
Noted: An Illinois man accused of helping gang-rape a college coed more than a decade ago doesn?t deserve a new trial, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The 4-3 decision clarifies that criminal defendants can?t use civil statutes to request new trials. It also means Dimitri Henley must return to prison to finish the last half of a 20-year sentence, said his attorney, Wisconsin Innocence Project co-director Keith Findley.
Rod Nilsestuen, state DATCP head, drowns in Lake Superior
Madison.com
Rod Nilsestuen, who has led the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as its secretary since 2003, drowned Wednesday evening while swimming in Lake Superior off Michigan?s Upper Peninsula.
….Nilsestuen, 62, was president and CEO of the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives from 1978 until September 2002. He grew up on a dairy farm near Arcadia and earned bachelor?s degrees in political science and sociology from UW-River Falls in 1970 and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1974.
Redistricting means Dane County may gain Legislative seats
Capital Times
Thirty square miles surrounded by reality.
Since the phrase was first muttered 30-plus years ago by one-term Republican Gov. Lee Dreyfus, the geographic footprint of the capital city has more than doubled. As Madison?s borders expanded, so did its population and that of Dane County.
In politics, population leads to regional power. The more people there are living in an area, the more representatives those residents are entitled to in the Legislature, which is why news that Dane County?s population has increased by 50,000, enough to warrant greater representation in the Capitol, may be a hard pill to swallow for some lawmakers.
Quoted: UW-Madison political science professor Ken Mayer
Poll shows unhappiness in Wis. with politicians
Madison.com
A new poll shows Wisconsinites are not pleased with state or national politicians. The University of Wisconsin Survey Center?s Badger Poll released Friday shows President Barack Obama?s approval rating at 49 percent, down from 60 percent in November. Only 29 percent approve of the job being done by Congress while 64 percent do not approve.
Doyle approval rating hits new low
Madison.com
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle?s approval rating has hit a new low. The University of Wisconsin Survey Center?s Badger Poll released on Friday shows the two-term governor?s approval rating at just 38 percent. That is down from a high of 52 percent in June 2007.
Editorial: Progress, prosperity and priorities
Wisconsin State Journal
You have called your plan ?Principles for progress and prosperity.? We propose to add another ?P? word ? priorities. What you really want is for us to give UW System priority in the state budget. But we want to see more prioritizing from you as well. We want you to think more boldly about trimming duplication across campuses, about avoiding the trap of trying to be all things to all people, and about doing more with less.
Democratic voters in Wis. primary could be trouble
Madison.com
There?s always a lot of talk about voters from one party or another switching over to wreak havoc on an election, but there?s little evidence to show that it happens in Wisconsin or anywhere else, said Charles Franklin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor and founder of pollster.com.
Big Ten Championship at Lambeau Field?
WKOW-TV 27
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers are interested in hosting a potential Big Ten conference championship game at Lambeau Field. A team spokesman said the Packers have made preliminary contact with Big Ten officials to request information on hosting a new conference championship game, which will become possible after Nebraska leaves the Big 12 for the Big Ten.
UW poll: Feingold at 27 pct support, Johnson at 21
Madison.com
Poll results released Thursday show Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold has 27 percent support and Republican challenger Ron Johnson has 21 percent in a Senate race in which more than half of those asked say they?re still undecided. About another 1 percent said they would vote for a candidate other than Feingold or Johnson. The margin of error in the University of Wisconsin Badger Poll was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
Badger Poll: GOP candidate would beat Barrett in gov race; Feingold with early edge
Wisconsin State Journal
A new poll shows that either major Republican candidate for governor would crush the Democrat should the election be held now. But the University of Wisconsin Badger Poll released on Thursday also shows that most people just aren?t paying attention to the race four months before the election. The poll shows that 32 percent would vote for either Republican Scott Walker or Mark Neumann. Only 15 percent say they would vote for Democrat Tom Barrett.
Poll: Few paying attention to Wis. governor’s race
Madison.com
Most people aren?t paying attention to Wisconsin?s governor?s race, but those who are overwhelmingly favor the Republican candidates, a poll released Thursday showed. The University of Wisconsin Survey Center?s Badger Poll showed that 32 percent of those who responded to the random telephone poll would vote for either Republican Scott Walker or Mark Neumann. Only 15 percent said they would vote for Democrat Tom Barrett.
The UW-Madison’s Diversity Problem (WPRI Wisconsin Interest)
Remember Cindy Sheehan, the anti-war stalker of President George W. Bush? The poor lady?s 15 minutes of fame expired a good two years ago when even Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama kept his distance. Yet, here she was this past April primed to speak on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus when the Memorial Union realized that no proper university group was sponsoring the event.
UW Poll Gives Edge To Feingold In U.S. Senate Race
WISC-TV 3
MILWAUKEE — A new poll on Wisconsin?s U.S. Senate race shows that few registered voters have been paying attention. But those who have prefer Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold over leading Republican challenger Ron Johnson, 27 percent to 21 percent.
The results of the University of Wisconsin Badger Poll results were released Thursday. The poll has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.5 percent.
Politics blog: Greta Van Susteren for governor?
Wisconsin State Journal
No, Greta Van Susteren wasn?t in Wisconsin filing signatures to get on the ballot in time for Tuesday?s deadline for candidates. But the Fox News host did tell Politico that she would run for Wisconsin governor if she knew she “could not fail.” Then again, Van Susteren, the daughter of a Wisconsin judge who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also told the interviewer that she?d “get rid of February,” if she was president and could make only one executive decision.
Amid voter dissatisfaction, GOP candidates flock to run for legislative office
Wisconsin State Journal
Charles Franklin, UW-Madison political science professor, said the large number of open seats has him expecting a “huge” turnover in the Legislature.” The open seats will be most of the new members,” he said. “And the turnover and remaking of the Legislature is a question mark.”
UW may change rules on interim hires, Reilly says
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin System leaders might tweak board policy to require the system president to consult with board members when making high-level interim hires, UW System President Kevin Reilly said Monday.
Barrett proposes Wisconsin redistricting reform
Madison.com
A nonpartisan board comprised of retired judges would be given the power to approve how Wisconsin?s congressional and legislative district boundaries are redrawn under a reform plan announced Monday by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett. The idea was also praised by David Canon, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor who studies redistricting.The plan would make Wisconsin look more like states such as California, Arizona and Iowa that rely on independent commissions or groups to handle redistricting, Canon said.
Former regent blasts Morgan hire, suggests rescinding pick
WKOW-TV 27
Former longtime University of Wisconsin Board of Regents member Bert Grover blasted the recent selection of a key gubernatorial aide to a top university system position without the consideration of any other applicants, and suggested current board members attempt to rescind the appointment.
Our view: Do we value higher education tradition? (LaCrosse Tribune)
….The affordable high-quality education offered by UW System schools has been a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s prosperity for decades. Here’s a question Wisconsinites should ask themselves: Might there be a relationship between Wisconsin’s sluggish economy and its recent slide in commitment to its public university system?
And here’s a question we might want to ask legislative and gubernatorial candidates: Are you planning to continue to chip away at our commitment to public higher education to balance the state budget?
Some sense behind University of Wisconsin smell
Wisconsin State Journal
On the surface it looks bad. OK, maybe it even smells bad.But upon further review, University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly?s appointment of Michael Morgan to a top-level job might pass the stink test.
Stilling appointed as Waukesha County judge
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Kathleen Stilling, a graduate of UW-Madison and the UW Law School, was appointed a Waukesha County circuit judge on Friday by Gov. Jim Doyle. [Fourth item]
University of Wisconsin System wants to push graduate totals
Green Bay Press-Gazette
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has seen growth in student population and graduation numbers, a trend leaders hope to continue even as budgets tighten.
Doyle names new Ashland County DA to replace Duffy
Madison.com
Gov. Jim Doyle has appointed a lawyer in private practice to be the next district attorney in Ashland County. Doyle says Kelly McKnight, an associate at a law firm in Ashland, is an experienced and thoughtful attorney who will be an outstanding DA. McKnight will replace Sean Duffy, the Republican who resigned the position to focus on his congressional campaign. McKnight is a 2000 graduate of the University of Wisconsin law school.
UW System proposes new initative promising performance in exchange for increased state funding (WLUK-TV, Green Bay)
The University of Wisconsin school system has faced millions in budget cuts through the years, and students have paid the price through tuition hikes.
Editorial: Time is now to talk education priorities
Green Bay Press-Gazette
A University of Wisconsin System budget strategy that encourages conversations about vision and priorities before specific funding requests is a prudent approach in these tough economic times.
Van Hollen says Morgan hiring violated UW rules State attorney general, however, won’t pursue decision
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The decision to give Gov. Jim Doyle?s former top aide a choice job in the University of Wisconsin System likely violated university hiring rules, state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Wednesday.
Obituary: Dr. Richard Bristol
Dr. Richard Bristol, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg. He joined the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1981 as a professor and in 1982 was appointed associate dean-clinical affairs. He was also the past president of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association in 1977 and served as an instructor for the short course at the UW-Madison.
AG: UW hiring of Doyle aide likely violated policy
Associated Press
The appointment of Gov. Jim Doyle?s top aide as a senior vice president in the University of Wisconsin System appears to have violated its hiring policy, the attorney general said Wednesday.
Attorney General: UW System violated hiring policy
WKOW-TV 27
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said the University of Wisconsin System?s appointment of Gov. Jim Doyle?s top aide to a high-level job may have violated its policy.
Attorney General weighs in on UW job for Doyle aide
Wisconsin Radio Network
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the decision to offer a $245,000 a year senior vice president position to former DOA Secretary Michael Morgan appears to be in violation of UW hiring policies.
On Campus: UW System hire may have violated Regents policy, AG says
Wisconsin State Journal
The hiring of one of Gov. Jim Doyle?s top administrators by the University of Wisconsin System “may have violated Board of Regents? policy,” wrote Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen in letter today.
Van Hollen wrote that he does not have statutory authority to investigate, but referred the matter of Michael Morgan?s hiring to the UW Board of Regents. Morgan is the secretary of the Department of Administration.
Does Dean Foods have unfair advantage?
Capital Times
Sassy Cow Creamery just celebrated its second anniversary. Last year, looking to get its name out there, the dairy landed a contract to supply milk to a high-profile Madison event. All went smoothly and the dairy was looking forward to a repeat performance this year. But this spring the family-owned, Sun Prairie-based dairy was outbid by Dean Foods, a $12 billion company that now controls 57 percent of Wisconsin?s milk market.
This David-versus-Goliath struggle for market visibility is indicative of what is occurring across the state.
Quoted: Peter Carstensen, UW-Madison law professor, and Robert Cropp, UW-Madison professor emeritus in agricultural and applied economics
Doyle Announces High Speed Rail Station Location
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — Madison?s high speed rail station will be located at the state Department of Administration building in the city?s downtown, Gov. Jim Doyle announced on Thursday.
The building is located at 101 E. Wilson St., near the Monona Terrace. The rail line will be connecting the state capital with Milwaukee. Doyle had previously said it would be near Monona Terrace, which is just down the street from the state Capitol, but the exact spot hadn?t been chosen.
Cross country: Milk prices and the future of dairy farms are an enduring question
Capital Times
Something needs to be done, was the conclusion reached by many attendees at the recent dairy forum held in Madison. Not an unusual conclusion in that that same sentiment has been expressed at hearings, meetings and forums held across dairyland for the past 50 years or more.
What was different about this gathering was that it was under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Justice and sponsored by the U.W.-Madison Law School and held at the Memorial Union in Madison, which is not a regular ag meeting place.
Doyle Won’t Criticize UW Hiring His Top Aide
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Jim Doyle doesn?t have anything bad to say about his top aide getting a plum job at the University of Wisconsin that comes with a $108,000 pay increase.
Ticked off: As Lyme disease spreads, so does dispute on how to treat it
Capital Times
Lyme disease is spreading rapidly across the state, and so are confusion and controversy over what to do about it.
Quoted: UW-Madison entomologist and tick expert Susan Paskewitz
Probe of Doyle aide hiring by UW sought
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Republican lawmaker asked the attorney general Tuesday to investigate the University of Wisconsin System?s decision to give a high-level job to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle?s top aide.
Lawmaker asks for review of UW System appointment
Associated Press
A Republican lawmaker asked the attorney general Tuesday to investigate the University of Wisconsin Systemâ??s decision to give a high-level job to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyleâ??s top aide.
Lawmaker asks Attorney General to investigate Morgan hiring
WKOW-TV 27
A state lawmaker asked Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to investigate the UW Systemâ??s hiring of a former cabinet member to Governor Doyle, alleging the hiring did not comply with system hiring policies.
Lawmaker asks for review of UW System appointment (AP)
Associated Press
A lawmaker is asking the attorney general to investigate the University of Wisconsin Systemâ??s decision to give a high-level job to Gov. Jim Doyleâ??s top aide.
On Campus: Republican lawmaker asks AG to investigate University of Wisconsin hire
Wisconsin State Journal
A Republican lawmaker is asking that Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen investigate the University of Wisconsin Systemâ??s hiring of one of the stateâ??s top officials, Michael Morgan.
In a letter to Van Hollen, Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, alleges that the UW System violated its own policy by hiring Morgan for the position of senior vice president for administration and fiscal affairs without the proper search and screen process.
Neumann says he can create 300,000 jobs
WKOW-TV 27
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republican candidate for governor Mark Neumann says his goal is to attract 300,000 jobs in 10 years by working closely with University of Wisconsin campuses to attract more businesses and research.
Neumann unveiled his plan to create three “research triangles” that would match expertise on the campuses with businesses that create jobs.
Neumann says his plan can succeed even if the universityâ??s budget is cut as part of his plan to reduce the budgets of all state agencies. His plan even calls for offering a tax break to businesses that create jobs.
Editorial: Truth about UW hiring in the middle
Appleton Post-Crescent
As usual, thereâ??s a controversy in Madison thatâ??s divided along political lines, with each side saying they represent the gospel truth and the other guys are being partisan hacks. And, as usual, the actual truth lies somewhere in between the combatants.
The row has to do with the University of Wisconsin System hiring state administration secretary Michael Morgan to be its chief operating officer….But the circumstances of his hiring are unusual.
….the UW folks admittedly knew how the hiring would be perceived. Yet they went ahead and made it look exactly like that. You’d think those in charge of the state’s public higher education would be, you know, smarter.
Like we said, the truth is caught in between the two sides, much like the public usually is.