The Republican co-chairman of the Legislature’s budget committee says Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to detach the University of Wisconsin System from state oversight appears to be on life support.
Category: State news
University of Wisconsin System needs accountability for everyone
At a meeting between the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and state legislators in the fall of 2013, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos questioned the role of UW faculty in decision-making. Vos declared that changes to the universitys system of shared governance — the set of practices under which faculty, staff and students participate in significant decisions concerning the operation of their institutions — were a matter of “when, not if.”
Taylor: Despite Autonomy Proposal, Republicans Still Want To Control UW System
A Democratic state lawmaker says she’s taking only some comfort in a top Republican’s calls for smaller cuts at the University of Wisconsin System in the next state budget.
Professor: Humanities Courses Will be the First Casualties of UW Cuts
A central Wisconsin professor’s Facebook prediction that humanities courses will be the first casualties of University of Wisconsin System budget cuts has gone viral.
UWSP pushes for differential tuition
Following potential budget cuts, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students and administration are seeking permission to charge students differential tuition. Regular tuition is paid to UW System, which distributes those dollars to individual campuses. Differential tuition is a cost above and beyond regular tuition. That money would stay on campus for specific purposes.
Training the next generation of farmers
Quoted: Nadia Alber, outreach coordinator, and Dick Cates, director, of the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers.
Cost-saving steps at UW campuses ahead of expected budget cuts
Chancellors at the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Whitewater campuses are making cost-cutting plans to deal with a proposed $300 million reduction in state funding for the UW System included in Governor Scott Walker’s budget, even though the Wisconsin Legislature has yet to consider the cuts included that proposed budget.
Bo Ryan stars in Wisconsin tourism commercial
After literally pulling his hair out during a game, Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan zip-lines, go-karts, water-skis and sings around a campfire in a new Wisconsin Department of Tourism TV commercial made by a well-known comedy film-making trio.
UW alums line up on both sides of Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts
University of Wisconsin alumni love their university. But their affection leads them to very different conclusions on Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to slash state funding and award the university greater autonomy to carve out savings in operating costs.
Greetings From Wisconsin, Where Higher Ed Is a Love-Hate Affair
Dear Readers, I’m writing this from the SweetSpot, where people come for coffee, muffins, and conversation. Many regulars are lifelong residents of the city pop. 15,000. Others are students at the University of Wisconsin campus here, just up the road. Lacey Reichwald, the cafe’s owner, bought the place a while back to give those very different neighbors — who often misunderstand one another — a place to gather under the same roof.
Budget cuts planned at University of Wisconsin campuses
Chancellors at the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Whitewater campuses are making cost-cutting plans to deal with a proposed $300 million reduction in state funding for the UW System, even though the Legislature has yet to consider the cuts included in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget.
Hintz, Schraa find common ground on UW cuts, transportation
The two Oshkosh-area lawmakers who serve on Wisconsin’s budget panel admit they are polar opposites when it comes to politics, but both are in agreement about concerns they have with portions of the state’s proposed 2015-17 spending plan.
UW-Madison alumni to celebrate Founders’ Day April 15
University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni in the Fond du Lac area will celebrate the founding of the university with a talk from an expert on government relations on Wednesday, April 15.
UW-Eau Claire offers buyouts for faculty and staff
Many University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty and staff will be offered an incentive to retire, as the university prepares to deal with an estimated $7.6 million reduction in state funds.
Assembly Speaker Says He Wants UW Cuts To Be Smaller
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’d like to see a smaller cut to the University of Wisconsin System’s budget and less autonomy for the system.
Chancellors make budget cut plans
Chancellors at the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Whitewater campuses are making cost-cutting plans to deal with a proposed $300 million reduction in state funding for the UW System, even though the Legislature has yet to consider the cuts included in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget.
UW-Eau Claire to offer faculty, staff buyouts in face of budget cut
In a move that could portend cost-cutting in higher education statewide, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt announced Thursday that voluntary separation incentives will be offered to about 325 eligible faculty and staff — including faculty with tenure.
Assembly leader blasts regents on tenure, shared governance
The head of the Assembly said Thursday that he was backing off support for giving the University of Wisconsin System more autonomy because university leaders don’t appear willing to make dramatic changes in areas such as tenure and shared governance.
Bill would require judges to consider PTSD in sentencing vets
A lawmaker on Thursday unveiled bills that would direct Wisconsin circuit court judges to consider combat-related post-traumatic stress when sentencing veterans and require the University of Wisconsin and technical college systems to accept credits earned through military training.
National university professor group opposes Walker’s UW plan
A national group representing university professors is opposing Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to give the University of Wisconsin System more autonomy from state oversight and laws.
UW public authority facing questions from Robin Vos, opposition from faculty and staff
“If you don’t believe anything needs changing, then why are we giving you an authority,” said Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, the Assembly Speaker. “I don’t understand the System’s rationale to say, ‘Give us all this authority to do things differently and to save money,’ but then they basically said, ‘We’re not going to do anything differently.’”
State representatives engage campus in budget forum
The campus community explained their concerns about Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts to the UW System at a forum Thursday at Van Vleck Hall.
Wisconsin Idea worthy of investment
Letter to the editor from Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, the ranking democratic member on the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.
UW public authority facing questions from Robin Vos, opposition from faculty and staff
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to shift control of the University of Wisconsin System away from the state and onto a public authority controlled by the Board of Regents met turbulence Thursday, with a top Republican lawmaker saying he’s now skeptical and a national faculty association calling it “a radical assault” on the statewide system.
Assembly leader wants smaller UW cut, less autonomy
ssembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’d like to see a smaller cut to the University of Wisconsin System’s budget and less autonomy for the system.
Madison lawmakers to hold UW budget session
Sen. Fred Risser and Reps. Therese Berceau, Chris Taylor and Lisa Subeck will hold a session from 4-7 p.m. Thursday in Room B130 of Van Vleck Hall on the UW-Madison campus.
UW System chief brings plainspoken style to impossible job
Tied to teams of horses pulling in opposite directions.Thats how Troy Cross — an associate professor of philosophy at Reed College in Portland, Ore. — sees his dad, University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross.
Ray Cross, UW System president
Born on a farm and still most comfortable on the land, Ray Cross brings a down-to-earth approach to the job of bringing together the UW System and the governor and Legislature.
Madison legislators to hold listening session on UW budget cuts
Several Democratic lawmakers from Madison are holding a listening session Thursday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to gather public input on the governors proposed $300 million budget cut and new public authority for the UW System.
UW-Platteville prepares for $10M budget cut
Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services Robert Cramer and his team are preparing for an additional $5 million cut to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville budget in addition to the ongoing $5 million structural deficit base cut already in place.
Letter to the Editor: Wisconsin Idea truly a worthy investment
I paid $17,000 in state income tax in 2014. I sometimes wish I lived somewhere without income tax, but I enjoy Wisconsin and feel our government usually invests my tax dollars to create good jobs and improve the quality of life.
I am The Wisconsin Idea
There has been considerable debate over the past month on the role of a public university and the meaning of The Wisconsin Idea. Recent commentary has ranged from historian John Gurda’s eloquent definition of The Wisconsin Idea to blogger Rick Esenberg’s question: “What is it”?
Letter: UW System cuts will have huge impact
As a UW student I am concerned for the future of the UW System with the recent release of a $300 million cut in the next two years. With a $2.2 billion deficit across the state, it is going to be difficult to find room to make these cuts, and the UW System does not have any “fat” to trim.
UW-Madison academic staff opposes public authority for UW System without further study – JSOnline
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Academic Staff Assembly has joined the growing opposition on UW campuses to state lawmakers creating an independent public authority for the UW System without it first being studied by a blue ribbon committee.
ASM leaders say UW System regents ‘too busy’ to listen to their concerns
The Associated Students of Madison said Tuesday that its requests to speak at University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents meetings have been denied because the regents have been “too busy.”
Minority scholarships reportedly safe from state budget
Though the UW System’s proposed autonomy measures would mean removing state mandates for minority scholarship funding, both university and UW System officials said those scholarships will be unaffected.
Universities brace for budget cuts
Following Gov. Scott Walker’s call for a $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System for the 2015-’17 biennium, southeastern Wisconsin UW campuses are busy preparing to meet the worst-case scenarios.
Tony Robinson shooting protest at Capitol draws 1,500, many of them students
Students from throughout Madison left school and took their rage, sorrow and demands to the city’s power centers on Monday, rocking the state Capitol rotunda with chants of “Justice for Tony” then demanding a meeting with Mayor Paul Soglin and Police Chief Mike Koval while massed outside the City-County Building.
UW, high school students fill Capitol rotunda to protest Tony Robinson shooting
Some 1,500 protesters, many of them students from Madison high schools and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, filled the Capitol rotunda Monday to protest the killing of an unarmed black man by a white police officer, sending the iconic chant “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” echoing through the statehouse.
Budget cuts could derail improvements in graduation rates
While University of Wisconsin’s graduation rates have steadily improved in past years, this trend could be reversed under proposed budget cuts if class offerings are reduced
Scott Walker: UW tuition will be lower than “just about any other campus”
As Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential star continued to rise, Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, challenged him on how his budget treats the University of Wisconsin System.
True freedom, dedicated funding key to UW System Authority proposal
Much criticism of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal for the University of Wisconsin System has focused on the $300 million in cuts envisioned for the coming two years.
Gov. Scott Walker’s plan for the Bucks is a sucker’s bet
Noted: Sean Dinces is the Allan H. Selig assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
UWM’s Innovation Campus should be a priority for the state
Noted: Innovation campus has an advantage over any other facility in the state because of the major corporate employers located in this region. Southeast Wisconsin actually holds more patents than Dane County, the home of UW-Madisons $1 billion research engine. How is that possible? Because corporate giants in this region generate patents as their own research and development realize what the market demands.
UW Chancellors Give Rough Estimates Of Job Cuts Under Proposed Budget
Some University of Wisconsin chancellors brought rough estimates of how many jobs they may have to eliminate under the governor’s proposed budget at a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday.
Scott Walker: UW tuition will be lower than “just about any other campus”
As Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential star continued to rise, Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, challenged him on how his budget treats the University of Wisconsin System.
Proposed UW System Public Authority to end faculty and staff’s “state employment” status
Chippewa Valley WQOW – Some UW System employees are concerned about a plan that could end their status as state employees. It’s part of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal and his plan to allow the UW System Board of Regents to have public authority.
Scott Walker Proposal Splits University of Wisconsin Administrators, Faculty
Faculty members from across the University of Wisconsin’s campuses are clamoring to halt plans for the schools to sever ties with the state and become more autonomous, even as administrators are urging lawmakers and the system’s governing board to move forward, saying the shift will help the 26-campus system operate more efficiently.
Proposed state budget could decrease student financial aid opportunities
UW-Madison’s director of financial aid said Wednesday need-based aid could be in trouble if the biennial budget passes. Susan Fischer, the Office of Student Financial Aid director, thanked the council for its advocacy on behalf of student aid with the recent announcement of the proposed budget cuts.
Walker wants to eliminate funding for UW renewable energy program
Gov. Scott Walker plans to eliminate $8.1 million in funds to the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative implemented by the Wisconsin Energy Institute, one of multiple cuts to environmental projects at the University of Wisconsin System.
Board of Regents pass new resolution in response to proposed budget
A new resolution asking state Legislature to reduce the proposed $300 million biennial budget cuts and provide the UW System with greater flexibility over operations, passed unanimously at the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents meeting Thursday.
Wisconsin Public Broadcasting goes door-to-door amid cuts
The first time for the long-planned, but new, Wisconsin Public TV door-to-door campaign, at the same time as their usual membership drive, comes as Governor Walker, who himself has appeared on Sesame Street, proposes cutting the state agency and the UW System — that partner to run public broadcasting — by millions.
Does state budget put future of Downer Woods in question?
Is removing protection for the 11-acre research and recreational forest on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukees campus a conspiracy to make way for development, or a technicality to shift rules governing the UW System from state statute to Board of Regents policy under a proposed UW System Public Authority?
Cautious on public authority, regents seek flexibilities, smaller cut
Creating a University of Wisconsin Public Authority isnt the only way to gain autonomy from cumbersome state rules, a member of the UW System Board of Regents adamantly pointed out Thursday.
Regents air grievances over Walker budget proposals
Regents and chancellors in the University of Wisconsin System vowed Thursday to push back against Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts to higher education.
UW Regents Will Protect Tenure And Shared Governance Amid Budget Changes
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents says it’s dedicated to protecting shared governance and tenure if state lawmakers eliminate them in the budget process.
Board of Regents, in raucous meeting, air grievances over Scott Walker budget proposals
The funding cuts are too deep. The flexibility is welcome, but the public authority model needs much more study. Shared governance and tenure must be preserved.
Regents air grievances over Walker budget proposals
Regents and chancellors in the University of Wisconsin System vowed Thursday to push back against Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts to higher education.
What would a UW System authority look like?
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross is seeking a smaller budget cut than the $300 million Gov. Scott Walker is proposing. He’s also asking for greater autonomy for the system. Joy Cardin’s guest education policy expert discusses what a UW System Authority would look like and why…
A critic of the Wisconsin Idea
According to Joy Cardin’s guest, the University of Wisconsin System’s mission statement has some serious flaws. He explains why he says the Wisconsin Idea is not unique, does not tolerate conservative viewpoints, and is committed to ideology instead of truth….