The UW System Board of Regents voted Friday afternoon to mandate all UW System schools to implement criminal background checks for all potential employees by May 2007.
Regents approve background checks
Daily Cardinal
Category: State news
Disciplinary policy moves on to state
Badger Herald
Following more than a year of debate and revisions, a proposed policy change for a faculty disciplinary process will be forwarded to the Legislature for consideration.
No change to UW break
Badger Herald
Even though the 2007 spring election is scheduled to take place during the University of Wisconsin�s spring break next semester, university officials said Friday that there would be no changes to the academic calendar.
Regents back public health school
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett got a present on his birthday Friday when the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents endorsed the creation of a school of public health at UW-Milwaukee – a project that Barrett has promoted for more than a year.
Criminologist: Serial killer stalking college students? (AP)
ST. CLOUD, Minn. ââ?¬â? Vanishing students. Dead bodies. Fears of something sinister lurking. A string of college student drownings across the Midwest has all the makings of great mystery.Rumors have persisted for years that a serial killer is prowling Interstate 94, hunting young men in college bars and plunging them underwater. Investigators, though, say thereââ?¬â?¢s no evidence of foul play. They say the victims were so drunk they fell in the river and died.
Free tuition for vow to stay?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Would you agree to live and work in Wisconsin for 10 years after college if the state offered to pay your tuition costs for all four years?
That is the question being contemplated by a state commission that was assigned to upgrade Wisconsin’s two-year college campuses – but has hatched an idea to overhaul the entire University of Wisconsin System.
Regents OK background checks for new UW employees (AP)
La Crosse Tribune
University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly promised Friday that campuses will guard against the misuse of information gathered in criminal background checks now required for all new employees.
Biofuels get push at Nelson forum
Capital Times
From a couple in De Pere who make bricks from wood pulp to a business in Superior that produces a natural gas substitute from sawdust, officials say Wisconsin is embracing environmentally friendly innovations.
Regents put partner benefits on bargaining table
Badger Herald
In an effort to retain and attract quality staff members, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted Thursday to ask for domestic partner benefits for university faculty members.
Regents delay vote on admission policy that looks at race, income (AP)
La Crosse Tribune
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Acknowledging public confusion, University of Wisconsin System regents delayed action Thursday on a new admissions policy that would give greater weight to nonacademic factors including race and income.
Members of the regents� education committee said they supported the plan but needed more time to gather input and explain it to the public and lawmakers. They said they anticipated voting on the proposal in February.
Regents Expected To Push For UW Raises, Benefits
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — A push for salary and benefits increases for the University of Wisconsin System employees is on the regents’ agenda in Madison on Thursday.
The Board of Regents is expected to ask for a 5.2 percent raise for faculty and academic staff every year for the next four years.
The goal is to bring their salaries in line with other universities, but some lawmakers said that it might be unrealistic given pressures on the state budget.
The regents are also expected to again ask lawmakers to change state law to allow partners of gay and lesbian employees to be eligible for health insurance benefits.
Margaret Krome: UW-Extension represents Wisconsin Idea in action
Capital Times
Funny bugs in the basement? Messy fungus growing on your favorite tree? Perhaps you want help starting a new business, a nonprofit organization, or a new farmers’ market in your town. Maybe you want advice on being the best child care provider you can be.
Every year, the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension helps more than 300,000 people with a wide range of needs, knitting together community life and building the state’s economy.
An icon turns 20
Capital Times
ST. FRANCIS – No one predicted that a strange, wedge-shaped chunk of yellow foam would someday symbolize a state and its way of life.
That includes Ralph Bruno, the 45-year-old guy who invented the Cheesehead, which is in its 20th year of production.
Ruth Olson, a folklorist at the Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures, is quoted.
Make room for ‘Sconnie’
Capital Times
If and when the allure of the Cheesehead vanishes, what will be the next pop culture symbol for Wisconsin?
The UW’s Ruth Olson posed that question to her Folklore 540 class and says she got the same response over and over: Sconnie.”
The idea came off the slang word for Wisconsin but has grown to represent all things that pertain to a Badger lifestyle, such as eating cheese curds or driving a John Deere tractor,” says Amy Peterson, responding via e-mail to her teacher’s query.
Gundrum owes Regents a solution
Daily Cardinal
Much of the rhetoric surrounding the gay marriage ban last month claimed that its passage would eliminate the possibility of UW-Madison ever offering its employees domestic partner benefits. In meetings beginning Thursday, the UW Board of Regents may try to skirt the amendment and offer those benefits anyway in its unclassified pay plan.
Embattled sick leave policies will remain mostly intact, assembly reviewers say
Daily Cardinal
In response to the release of documents revealing millions of dollars amassed by state politicians in unclaimed sick days, the state Assembly reviewed a former policy Tuesday and has agreed to allow retroactive sick leave.
College of Agriculture unveils new admissions process
Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is making changes to its admissions process that will become effective in fall 2007.
Senator floats discrimination law
Badger Herald
State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, spoke to the College Democrats of Madison Wednesday about a new constitutional amendment he is pursuing to circumvent certain aspects of the marriage amendment that was passed in last month�s election.
Editorial: Falling behind in 2 ways (Pierce County Herald)
Billing this ââ?¬Å?a silent crisisââ?¬Â in the stateââ?¬â?¢s educational system, Reilly wonders what the other 70 kids will do. He worries they could constitute the first generation to be less educated than their parents. With 25.5 percent, Badgerland is behind the national average of 27 percent in residents holding baccalaureate degrees and behind Minnesota, which is at 32 percent.
April election set for spring break
Badger Herald
For the first time in recent history, the 2007 spring elections will fall in the middle of the University of Wisconsin�s spring break.
Reject redundant Milwaukee plan
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin System already has a school of public health. It is in Madison.
For that reason, the UW Board of Regents should reject a proposal to begin a years-long, multi- million-dollar effort to build a school of public health in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin may require background checks for university employees (AP)
MADISON, Wis. – New University of Wisconsin System employees would be subjected to criminal background checks under a controversial and expensive proposal meant to increase security on campuses.UW System President Kevin Reilly is recommending the plan in response to an audit that found 40 felons on the system payroll and campus policies that vary widely on which positions require a check.
Making students money-smart
Capital Times
“Money is a scarce resource,” says Sara Davis, a senior at La Follette High School, “and it can be challenging to manage it in such a way that all of your necessities, plus a few luxuries, are covered.”
Educators and business leaders agree. If kids are left financially illiterate, they can find themselves easy prey to savvy credit lures, financial scams and credit overload later in life. Smart financial planning and decision making, experts say, are basic survival skills in a capitalistic society.
Ralph Evans: ECB needs to fight for frequencies
Capital Times
Dear Editor: The Department of Administration is selling (“divesting”) the valuable wireless frequencies that were given to the Educational Communications Board to hold in husbandry for the education of Wisconsin’s citizens. It is my opinion that once these frequencies are gone, they will be gone forever.
Badger Herald fires state editor
Capital Times
An editor at a University of Wisconsin-Madison student newspaper was fired after repeatedly plagiarizing stories from other media outlets, the Badger Herald’s editor in chief said Tuesday.
The paper fired state editor Dan Powell Nov. 30 and ran an apology to readers by editor in chief Taylor Hughes in today’s paper. Hughes declined to name Powell in an interview Tuesday but did so in today’s editorial.
Ban drives faculty away
Badger Herald
While most Wisconsinites are proud to reside in the Badger State, one University of Wisconsin faculty member has been looking to leave since this fall.
Low wages drain public aid
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Even though they work year-round, some 178,000 Wisconsin families rely on public support programs, according to a Madison think tank report that suggests some employers are “playing a game” that’s unfair to taxpayers and other employers.
The study on the cost of public benefits for low-wage Wisconsin workers, released this morning by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that 45% of nearly $1.85 billion in state and federal public support went to families working year-round – most of whom are working full time.
Regents Consider New Admissions Policy For UW
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — More than just academics and test scores would be considered for admission into the University of Wisconsin under a new policy that goes to the Board of Regents this week.
Each campus could still draft its own admissions requirements, but the new policy would take into consideration things like a student’s special talents, race and income.
UW-Madison Faculty Senate endorses partner benefits
Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison�s Faculty Senate passed a resolution Monday afternoon supporting domestic partner benefits for state employees, though it recognized the difficulty of working against obstacles like the statewide vote to ban same-sex marriages.
Sierra Club to sue university, state
Daily Cardinal
The Sierra Club will sue the state and the UW-Madison over allegations that several coal power plants in Madison violate the 1976 Clean Air Act.
The lawsuit targets the university�s Charter Street Power Plant and the Wisconsin�s state Capitol Heat and Power Plant.
Sierra Club sues state
Badger Herald
The state of Wisconsin ââ?¬â? and the University of Wisconsin in particular ââ?¬â? could face litigation for violating the federal Clean Air Act.
Regents will take up UW admissions (AP)
St. Paul Pioneer Press
A proposed rewrite of freshman admissions policy for the University of Wisconsin System would de-emphasize class rank and give greater weight to nonacademic factors such as race and income.
The plan, to be considered by the UW System Board of Regents on Thursday and Friday, would also no longer encourage prospective students to take the ACT college entrance exam instead of the SAT. Instead, ACT or SAT scores would be given equal consideration.
Sierra Club To Sue State, UW Over Alleged Clean Air Violations
WISC-TV 3
MADISON, Wis. — The Sierra Club plans to sue the state of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin for allegedly committing Clean Air Act violations.
The environmental group issued a notice of intent to sue on Monday, claiming alleged violations at the UW’s Charter Street Power Plant and the state’s Capitol Heat and Power Plant, WISC-TV reported.
The Charter Street plant was built in 1945 while the Capitol Heat and Power Plant was built in 1903.
WISC-TV Editorial: UW-Milwaukee Right For Public Health School
WISC-TV 3
We continue to believe that the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee campus is not just the best place to locate a school of public health, it is the right place.
There will continue to be arguments that the existing resource base here in Madison makes it a more logical location for the school. But a new, 230-page report, prepared by a broad public health planning team at the request of the System Board of Regents simply makes a compelling case for building the new school in Milwaukee.
Public access to medical error data in spotlight
Capital Times
The state Department of Health and Family Services wants to put more public records related to medical errors online, partly in response to the death of a 16-year-old girl at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center following a medication mistake.
While lawmakers and hospital associations debate what medical information should be kept private, officials at DHFS are pushing only to make what is already public available on their Web site. Department spokesman Jason Helgerson said this would apply to records such as the investigative report for the St. Mary’s case.
(Law professor Meg Gaines, director of UW-Madison’s Center for Patient Partnerships, is quoted.)
Wage gap worse here than in 2000, report says
Capital Times
While American women overall are closing the wage gap with men, the situation in Wisconsin is worsening, according to a recent report.
“The State of Working Wisconsin 2006” by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in September found that women earned 25 percent less than men in 2005, a gap that actually increased from about 23 percent in 2000.
Stephen M. Born: It’s time to chart the course for Wisconsin’s environment
Capital Times
Another election season has come and gone. In Wisconsin, there was little intelligent discussion about our environment and how we should protect, manage and use our incredible natural resources to maintain the quality of life and recreational opportunities most Wisconsinites cherish.
….Gov. Jim Doyle and his agencies, along with a new Legislature and new local leadership, now have a responsibility to lay out their vision for Wisconsin’s environment, including what actions they plan and what resources they propose to commit.
(Born is a UW-Madison emeritus professor of planning and environmental studies)
Sensenbrenner eyes switch to science panel
Capital Times
WASHINGTON – Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner will seek the top Republican spot on the House Science Committee, after GOP leaders told him term limits would prevent him from taking that spot on the Judiciary Committee.
….(Sensenbrenner spokesman Jeff) Lungren said that if Sensenbrenner gets the top GOP spot on the Science Committee, he would focus on oversight as well as issues such as climate change and NASA.
Student Judiciary to release precedent-setting ruling
Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin Student Judiciary is scheduled to release a ruling today that will set precedent for the future of the university.
Sierra Club set to sue state
Badger Herald
Already the subject of campus discussion and debate, the question of permit renewal of Madison�s coal power plants is now the cause of legal action against the state of Wisconsin.
Doug Moe: Doyle in poker dealer’s eyeshade?
Capital Times
….Those who want to see “The Madison Kid” filmed in Madison have mobilized one last push to see if they can get state government to change the date of implementation of the tax incentives to Jan. 1, 2007. As part of that effort, Hellmuth has written an op-ed piece that will be offered to numerous papers in the state.
In his piece, Hellmuth makes both a logical and passionate case for moving the date so “The Madison Kid” can be filmed here. He stresses the economic benefits, as well as the karmic importance of having it shot in Madison.
It may work. But I have an idea that will work even better. It’s this: Promise them all a role in the movie! Everyone wants to be in the movies, especially legislators….
Doyle taps Morgan for DOA chief
Capital Times
For his first, and arguably most important appointment of his second term, Gov. Jim Doyle today tapped Revenue Secretary Michael Morgan as his new secretary of the Department of Administration.
Morgan will succeed Steve Bablitch, who announced today that he is leaving the office Jan. 1.
Letter writers discuss marriage amendment (Hudson Star-Observer)
Already, the University of Wisconsin system has lost and will likely continue to lose excellent faculty members who choose to relocate to more hospitable social and intellectual climates. As more bright bulbs leave, this is likely to be a dimmer and more intolerant place.
Legislators Examine UW Sick Leave Policy
WISC-TV 3
State Rep. Sheldon Wasserman, D-Milwaukee, said that some lawmakers’ criticisms about the University of Wisconsin’s sick leave rules for faculty are just plain hypocritical.
Lampert Smith: Marriage vote can sully oath of office
Wisconsin State Journal
You’re a Wisconsin public official who happens to be gay or lesbian.
When the time comes to be sworn in again, you get to swear to uphold a new constitutional amendment that forbids you from forming a marriage or a civil union.
So what do you do?
Lampert Smith: Marriage vote can sully oath of office
Wisconsin State Journal
You’re a Wisconsin public official who happens to be gay or lesbian.
When the time comes to be sworn in again, you get to swear to uphold a new constitutional amendment that forbids you from forming a marriage or a civil union.
So what do you do?
State, UW talk sick-day reform
Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin System officials told state lawmakers Wednesday that they are working on the recommendations brought forth in a Legislative Audit Bureau report last month.
Wisconsin is attempting to retain its brainpower
Daily Cardinal
The phenomenon of Wisconsinââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Å?brain drainââ?¬Â has become a common buzzword in business circles in the past decade. However, what exactly is this brain drain, and does it really exist? Furthermore, what does this trend mean for new grads of UW-Madison?
Majority of Wisconsin soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan hail from Madison
Daily Cardinal
As war rages in Iraq and conflicts arise around the world, National Guard troops from Madison have played a pivotal role both overseas and in the United States.
Legislators plan to examine sick leave
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Legislative leaders said Tuesday they planned to change the way state lawmakers report and account for their sick leave but wouldn’t commit to ending the benefit.
Stuck in soot
Badger Herald
The Charter Street Heating Plant has recently come under fire from environmentalists who want the state Department of Natural Resources to deny its application for a 5-year permit renewal. The DNR has preliminarily approved its application and recently invited citizens and activist groups to weigh in on the future of the plant.
West campus to see change
Badger Herald
A public hearing was held Tuesday evening to discuss proposed utility improvements on the University of Wisconsin�s west campus.
UW to consider partner benefits
Badger Herald
Despite voter support for the gay marriage amendment earlier this month, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents might request domestic partner benefits when they meet next week.
Roll ’em, already, on film tax credits, some urge
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Those who want to develop a film industry in Wisconsin are back for the sequel and are working to bump up the effective date of a package of tax incentives intended to lure movie, television and commercial projects here.
Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) said he’s preparing two bills that aim to put the tax credits in effect earlier than the current start date of Jan. 1, 2008.
UW, local clinic partner up
Badger Herald
WiSys Technology Foundation and Marshfield Clinic announced plans last week for the two organizations to partner up in their medical research efforts.
Lauren Crane: Charter power plant needs student input
Capital Times
Dear Editor: The Charter Street Power Plant is literally a black smudge on the University of Wisconsin. Our progressive reputation, innovative ideals and the health of students and residents are compromised by this embarrassing piece of dirty and archaic technology that sits in the middle of campus.
Trying to improve access to health care for the city’s poor
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Since I became dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health on July 1, no issue has received more of my attention than the relationship between the school and the Milwaukee community and our role in addressing the health care needs of its underserved populations. A column by Robert Golden.
Dave Zweifel: Lawmakers arrive soon to your TV
Capital Times
It has been a long time in the making, but it’s now only a few months until Wisconsin citizens will be able to watch their legislators, live and in full color, from the State Capitol
….There are (also) plans to televise UW symposiums and conferences.
Still: Marshfield Clinic and UW combine to speed tech growth
Wisconsin Technology Network
Madison, Wis. – Quick quiz: Which Wisconsin institutions spend the most on research and development in the life sciences?
Naming No. 1 is relatively easy: the University of Wisconsin-Madison ($764 million) is perennially among the top academic R&D centers in the United States. Second on the list is the Medical College of Wisconsin ($139 million), which ranks among the nation’s top 100 medical research centers. Next up is the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at $28.3 million.
Wisconsin violence sparks new animal activist law
Daily Cardinal
Specific violent acts and threats directed at Wisconsin farmers and the UW-Madison research centers have ignited national concerns, prompting Washington to pass a bill to increase protection for scientists and farmers against animal activists.