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Category: State news

A reckless proposal to gut UW from Gov. Scott Walker

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Last weekend, news reports began to swirl about potentially massive budget cuts to the University of Wisconsin System. On Tuesday, Gov. Scott Walker confirmed the worst: UW System campuses are slated to take a combined $150 million base budget cut over two years, so $300 million total in his upcoming 2015-17 biennial budget proposal.

Don’t shortchange state’s future economy

Wisconsin State Journal

The Republican governor’s plan to cut $300 million from the University of Wisconsin System is troubling. Allowing UW campuses more flexibility from state bureaucracy to save money is fine. But the governor wants the System to absorb what would amount to a 13 percent cut in state funding while maintaining a tuition freeze for two more years. No amount of efficiency, short of damaging layoffs, is going to offset that in the short run. Moreover, tuition hikes after a freeze expires could price some in-state students out of a Wisconsin school.

UW System chief says Walker out of touch

AP

MADISON – The University of Wisconsin System president fired back Thursday against Gov. Scott Walker’s suggestion that faculty teach more classes as a way to help absorb a $300 million funding cut, saying the governor doesn’t understand professors already face a huge workload.

Ray Cross interviewed by Joy Cardin

Wisconsin Public Radio

Under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget, the University of Wisconsin System would be given more independence while having its state funding cut by 13%.  Joy Cardin’s guest reporter lays out the details of the plan.  Then, UW System President Ray Cross gives his mixed review of the pitch. …

Gov. Scott Walker to UW faculty: Consider teaching one more class per semester

Wisconsin State Journal

“They might be able to make savings just by asking faculty and staff to consider teaching one more class per semester,” Walker told reporters Wednesday in Madison … Vince Sweeney, vice chancellor for university relations at UW-Madison, said the most recent survey data found UW-Madison faculty spend 50 to 70 hours per week teaching and supporting students, participating in research and other activities. “It should be noted that many also bring in millions of dollars in grant funding that is a direct boost to the Wisconsin economy,” Sweeney said. Grant Petty, president of PROFS Inc., the professional group representing UW-Madison professors, said he doesn’t know any UW faculty who don’t already spend 50 hours a week or more doing what are considered the “essential duties” of their job.

Campus, legislative leaders concerned about Scott Walker’s proposed UW cuts but welcome flexibilities

Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 13 percent, $300 million budget cut for the University of Wisconsin System would lead to layoffs across the UW-Madison campus, chancellor Rebecca Blank said Tuesday, even though she and others see a long-term benefit in another part of the plan to give the university greater autonomy. The proposed spending cut is believed to be the most severe in the System’s nearly 45-year history. It would be accompanied by another two-year tuition freeze and come in exchange for System control over its finances, including major building projects.

UW System offers few details on Scott Walker’s proposal for budget cut, more autonomy updated

Madison.com

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said Tuesday that she has not yet seen full details of Governor Walker’s plan, adding “I am concerned about the magnitude of the proposed budget cuts and their impact on UW-Madison. “These proposed cuts are believed to be the largest in the history of the university. In the past, large cuts have always been mitigated by additional tuition revenue from resident and non-resident students,” Blank posted in a blog.

UW System critic blasts Walker’s plan

AP

Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to give the University of Wisconsin System more freedom would allow it to impose unchecked tuition increases and potentially price students out of college, one of the system’s toughest critics and student leaders said Tuesday.

UW System plan draws concerns

Racine Journal-Times

RACINE COUNTY — Area legislators and university officials are wary of Gov. Scott Walker’s plan for the University of Wisconsin System, in which funding would be slashed in exchange for schools gaining more autonomy.

Patterson: Proposed UW cuts “devastating”

WSAW-TV, Wausau

Governor Scott Walker’s proposed structure and funding changes for the University of Wisconsin system have UW officials concerned. Walker proposes another two-year undergraduate tuition freeze along with giving the UW System more autonomous after 2017, allowing them to raise tuition based on the market and make more decisions without the Legislature’s oversight.

Expect more students from outstate and abroad if expected state funding cuts come to UW

Wisconsin State Journal

In coming years, the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin may become more than academic at some University of Wisconsin campuses. They may find themselves in a Darwinian struggle to remain open and relevant in the face of two more years of expected state budget cuts and a tuition freeze for state undergraduates also expected to be extended another two years.