With a focus on diversity and scholarship programs and students “starving to study and studying to starve,” the United Council of University of Wisconsin Students addressed Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts at the state Capitol Monday.
I grew up in a family with three generations of proud UW graduates. My great-great-aunt received two degrees at UW and went on to teach here in Wisconsin for 44 years. Both of my grandpas, upon returning from World War II, decided to go back to school and were proud graduates of UW. My parents graduated from UW in the 1960s and my dad has been a local, small business owner for over 30 years.
Budget season is a busy time of year for Todd Berry — but the president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance is quick to mention that analyzing the complex state spending bill every two years is not all his organization does.
Dear Editor: A 2.5 percent cut to the UW System is grossly inaccurate. UW-Eau Claire is facing the prospect of cutting $19.7 million from its general fund budget, currently $95.6 million, over the course of the next two years. Thats a 20.6 percent reduction: $7.6 million each year in response to the governor’s proposed budget cut, and $4.5 million in response to a pre-existing structural budget deficit. That’s the equivalent of a minimum of 126 out of 440 full-time faculty positions and 24,892 classroom seats, or 152 full-time staff/administration positions, or a 20.5 percent increase in tuition which won’t happen because of the tuition freeze. By my own estimate, the total cut is the equivalent of completely eliminating the College of Business one of our four colleges, as well as all positions within and all costs associated with that college.
University of Wisconsin students are not buying assurances that their voice in governing their campuses would be preserved if the university system is reorganized the way Gov. Scott Walker is proposing.
Noted: Heather Digby Parton in Salon argues that the evolution issue goes way beyond religion. Its embedded itself into host of issues, like academic elitism, that pits the GOP faithful against science — a nerve that Walker has tapped into by knocking UW professors and proposing painful budget cuts to the UW system.
Take a look at the stories from around our area and world that are making news today.
Noted: In an op-ed for the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Lake Superior State University president Thomas Pleger writes that the UW’s future shouldnt be decided by the state budget. The UW is too valuable an asset not to have a full discussion on how its governance should be changed.
Recently, I wrote a piece at Right Wisconsin on the flap over the “Wisconsin Idea” at Right Wisconsin. Short version: the Wisconsin Idea is a common place generality that, at least in 2015, distinguishes the University of Wisconsin from nobody. No one has suggested that UW become a trade school or abandon research.
University of Wisconsin student government representatives from across the state are calling on legislators to reject Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut in the UW System budget.
Governor Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million dollars in cuts to the University of Wisconsin System over the next two years, along with an offer of greater autonomy and flexibility, through creation of a public authority. The United Council of UW System Students oppose those cuts, as well as making the UW System a public authority.
Four years ago, the UW System was at a major crossroads. A proposal to split Madison from the system of 26 campuses and statewide Extension caused great concern for those who worked and studied in the system.
The proposed budget cuts and move to a public authority for the University of Wisconsin System will hurt low-income students, low-wage workers and low-enrollment campuses most, said a statewide students group that vowed on Monday to fight against the changes.
A new audit shows the University of Wisconsin System generated nearly $5 billion in revenue during the last fiscal year, down slightly from the year before.
The $300 million for UW that Gov. Scott Walker proposed in his state budget would be crippling to UW and our state. And really, this isn’t about partisanship, politics, your side or mine; it is about pride. The gutting of our UW campuses has nothing to do with either party; it has everything to do with protecting a pillar of Wisconsin.
Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget proposal released last month includes a drastic shift of authority from the state to the UW System – especially with regard to tuition, procurement and construction – the implications of which remain unclear even to system officials.
Edgewood College forum last week was among several venues in which Walker’s attack on the progressive ideals of the Wisconsin Idea was dissected in light of his likely bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Quoted: “In some ways its the end of a very long decline of the strength of unions and a weakening of protections both at the federal and state level for unions,” said William P. Jones, a University of Wisconsin-Madison history professor.
As the representative of 14 colleges and universities across western and central Wisconsin, I know that higher education is a top priority. Every dollar we invest today in higher education will pay dividends down the road, helping ensure that Wisconsin can compete in the global marketplace.
In the few weeks since it became public, Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut $300 million from the University of Wisconsin System budget has produced three schools of thought within the state’s business community.
New this afternoon from PolitiFact Wisconsin: Amid the uproar over Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System, we check a claim by UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank. She says UW-Madison “spent down reserves” as it was told to do two years ago and, facing the new cuts, has “no more reserves to spend down.”
Gov. Scott Walker plans to cut $300M from the budget of the University of Wisconsin and, if he has his way, will alter its mission from a “search for truth” to “meeting the state’s workforce needs.” These steps are so fantastically at odds with what the business community, economy and state need from its public university system that no synonym for ‘stupid’ is too strong.
The $300 million Gov. Scott Walker wants to cut from the University of Wisconsin System includes an estimated $114 million reduction for the flagship University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Deep in the bowels of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2015-’17 budget is language to exempt research done by the University of Wisconsin System from the state’s open records law, unless it is published or patented.
Colleges are usually at the forefront of radical politics, but when it comes to their own privileges they become feudal empires. Behold the revolt in the Wisconsin state university system over Governor Scott Walker ’s appeal for modest accountability. (Subscription required.)
State Democrats defended Chancellor Rebecca Blank Thursday after Republicans attacked her Wednesday for “playing politics” with her university.
STEVENS POINT – Matthew Rosner said he’s not sure if Wisconsin values his effort to get a higher education, and as a result he is thinking of seeking a career in another state when he graduates.
Many of us have childhood memories of our introduction to public broadcasting, enjoying great programs like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
After a 155-mile walk to Madison failed to sway Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has several legal paths to follow in pursuit of an $800 million, off-reservation casino project in Kenosha, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison law professor Richard Monette.
The Educational Approval Board will meet Friday morning to discuss Walker’s proposal, which the governor’s spokeswoman said will remove a costly and overly burdensome regulatory process for the schools and put in place enhanced consumer protections for students.
Wisconsin legislators should drop provisions creating a new UW System Authority from the biennium budget and take time to analyze the impact of such a drastic move, says Noel Radomski, director of WISCAPE at UW-Madison.
Recent comments about the state budget by University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank are drawing criticism from two top Republicans in the Legislature.
Democrats said Thursday it’s not UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank who’s bringing Washington, D.C.-style politics to the University of Wisconsin System funding debate. Instead, they said, Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP leaders of the state’s powerful budget committee are playing politics.
The partisan rhetoric is heating up in Madison around proposed state budget cuts for the University of Wisconsin System, and today, it’s the Democrats taking names.
Harry Brighouse has an article on the proposed changes to the University of Wisconsin’s mission. My purpose is not to quarrel with his take, but to examine a particular line that caught my eye.
Saying that the university’s mission should be to serve Wisconsin’s workforce isn’t needed — the university already serves the state’s workforce. Anything less means crippling Wisconsin’s economy. To survive, Wisconsin manufacturers have to compete successfully in the global economy.
After a 155-mile walk to Madison failed to sway Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has several legal paths to follow in pursuit of an $800 million, off-reservation casino project in Kenosha, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison law professor Richard Monette.
UW-Madison officials are turning to the workers to come up with ideas on how to cut costs, with $300 million in budget cuts staring them in the face.
The leaders of the state’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee accused UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank of playing Washington politics with the current budget debate, noting her ties to U.S. President Barack Obama and her predecessor’s support for elements of Gov. Scott Walker’s plans that she opposes.
Anyone who has attended a University of Wisconsin System school knows the lifelong value of the education they received there. Every year, tens of thousands of Wisconsin families rely on our state’s public university system to provide new adults with a solid foundation of employment skills, problem-solving abilities and invaluable relationships. The system also gives back to the state through research and outreach efforts that benefit the public.
The governor has proposed Wisconsin’s biennial budget. Now the work begins.
EDITOR: Gov. Scott Walker proposed a budget that includes a cut in state aid to the University of Wisconsin System. The headlines ever since have been pretty far-fetched. “Massive layoffs expected,” etc. It seems the sky is falling.
Chancellor Blank statement: “Our recent conversations with legislators have been positive and we understand the pressures they are facing. As I have stated in the past, flexibilities offered through a public authority model are welcome and would eventually allow the System to function more effectively. However, we continue to be concerned about the impact of a proposed $300 million cut. We look forward to working with legislators throughout the budget process to reduce the impacts on the university.”
The co-chairs of the state Legislature’s budget committee slammed University of Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank Wednesday for “bringing Washington politics to Madison.”
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker . . . Republican presidential hopeful . . . wants to cut deep into his state’s prized public university system, and maybe its vision. On Point hears the debate.
Gov. Scott Walker is proposing that state employees be offered $2,000 a year to opt out of state health insurance coverage.
Walker’s budget adds a blanket exemption that would allow UW to deny public record requests on controversial research, conflicts of interest or how tax dollars are spent.
Gov. Scott Walker has cited his experience battling unions here four years ago as proof that voters appreciate a political leader willing to “go big and go bold.” So as he woos supporters around the country for a possible presidential bid, Walker (R) is once again picking a fight against a powerful institution at home — public universities.
UW-Madison Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Darrell Bazzell talked to graduate students Tuesday about Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts to the UW System.
Gov. Scott Walker wants the treasurer of his new political committee to serve on the board that oversees the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics even though Democrats say the appointment is inappropriate.
Gov. Scott Walker took to social media to downplay the scope of his cuts in funding to the University of Wisconsin system in his 2015-’17 budget proposal.
The national higher education funding trend shows states putting more money into campuses.
Julie Mead, a professor of educational leadership and policy analysis at UW-Madison, comments.
The Wisconsin state Senate Health Committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on Andrew Hitt’s appointment to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board.
EDITOR: Wisconsin can be proud of the University of Wisconsin. It is a noted academic institution, and yes the athletics are great. It is first and foremost an academic entity. Our daughter is a graduate from this fine institution.
Gov. Scott Walker took to social media to downplay the scope of his cuts in funding to the University of Wisconsin system in his 2015-’17 budget proposal.
It is good to see that even members of his own party object to things in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget. My own view is that Walker has aimed heavy artillery at some of the things I most care about: education at all levels, environmental preservation, and the fund which supports Wisconsin Public Radio.
My family has a long tradition with the University of Wiscosnin-Madison and I’m appalled by Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cuts to the UW System. We’ve had six members of our immediate family graduate from UW-Madison at the undergrad, graduate and Ph.D. levels.
The University of Wisconsin would be exempt from revealing the details of its research under a new provision in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal.
EDITOR: I would like to share with readers the delight of some friends and colleagues who work in the states surrounding Wisconsin.
