On April 11, Gov. Scott Walker proposed freezing tuition in the University of Wisconsin System for two more years, which follows a hard cap put in place in 2013.
Journal Times editorial: Extend UW-System tuition freeze
Racine Journal-Times
Category: State news
Mary Burke says tax increase for arena a last resort
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Burke said she wants to hold the line on tuition increases in the University of Wisconsin System. The system is already under a two-year tuition freeze, but Burke disagreed with Walker’s recent proposal for an additional two-year freeze.
Joel McNally: Scott Walker’s bad ideas put state on the wrong road
Capital Times
To any thoughtful observer of politics, one of the biggest frustrations is watching is just how politically popular some really bad ideas can be. A perfect example is Republican Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to freeze tuition increases within the University of Wisconsin System for four straight years.
Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research project aims to foster innovation
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin’s dairy industry faces new challenges to its continued prosperity, from environmental pressures on the land and water that sustain it to consumer trends that compel product innovation. Fostering that kind of innovation is the goal of the TURBO project within the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research.
Tuition freeze ‘unsustainable’ solution to college affordability
Badger Herald
After Gov. Scott Walker called for a two-year extension to the current University of Wisconsin System?s tuition freeze, some critics have called the move short-sighted and an overly simplistic solution to keeping higher education affordable.
Other view: Is UW System truly awash in money?
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
Those of us on the outside looking in at the state Capitol and the University of Wisconsin System?s cash-flow are eager to learn more about whether the latter is sitting on $1.7 billion in extra money or if lawmakers are simply jumping on an election-year opportunity to announce a second straight two-year tuition freeze.
Gov. Walker signs bill allowing classified research in UW System
Daily Cardinal
Among the 55 bills Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Wednesday was Assembly Bill 729, which will alter the rules currently in place across the University of Wisconsin System prohibiting classified research.
Governor OKs classified UW research
Madison.com
Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that will allow University of Wisconsin institutions to perform classified national security research.
Tuition freeze threatens UW Colleges survival — Mary Hoeft
Wisconsin State Journal
Gov. Scott Walker?s proposal to extend his tuition freeze on all universities within the UW System threatens the survival of one of Wisconsin?s most cost-effective universities, the UW Colleges.
Building commission backs UW hospital parking project
Wisconsin State Journal
A $32.6 million expansion of the University of Wisconsin Hospital parking ramp approved Wednesday by the state Building Commission completes current parking projects for the campus? west side, a university official said.
Story on student loan debt sparks questions
Capital Times
The mix of loans greatly affects total payout, says Susan Fischer, UW-Madison financial aid director. While interest on federal student loans varies from the 3.8 to 6 percent this year to as much as 9 percent, private loans can carry interest rates of 15 to 18 percent, she says.
UW-Madison professors propose making first two years of college free
Daily Cardinal
Students could have their first two years of public university paid for by the state, according to a plan proposed by University of Wisconsin-Madison professors.
Gov. Scott Walker calls for additional 2-year UW tuition freeze
Wisconsin State Journal
Gov. Scott Walker on Friday called for extending a tuition freeze at the University of Wisconsin System by two years, citing new figures that show the System should end this fiscal year with $1.1 billion left over.
UW flex offerings dont fit a Walker return
WISC-TV 3
Gov. Scott Walker may want to finish his college course work using a new flexible degree option through the University of Wisconsin System, but there are no immediate plans to offer classes in the fields hes interested in.
UW flex offerings don’t fit a Walker return
Madison.com
Gov. Scott Walker wants to finish his college course work using a new flexible degree option through the University of Wisconsin System. One problem: There are no immediate plans to offer classes in the fields he?s interested in.
Foreign trade commissioners look to build business contacts on bus tour of Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Journal
State economic development leaders on Thursday took 32 trade commissioners from 23 countries on a daylong bus tour designed to show Wisconsin makes more than beer and cheese. The tour included a stop at UW-Madison, for a presentation about the commercialization of university research discoveries and public-private partnerships over lunch at the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery.
UW System finished March with $1.7 billion
AP
The University of Wisconsin System finished the first three quarters of fiscal year 2013-14 with more than $1.7 billion on hand and should finish the year with about $1.1 billion left over, according to data released Thursday.
On Politics: Scott Walker says plan for college degree isn’t about presidential politics
Wisconsin State Journal
Gov. Scott Walker dodged questions Wednesday about whether he would need a college degree if he were to run for president but said he would like to finish his studies one day through the flexible degree option now available through the University of Wisconsin System.
Credit state for showing checkbook
Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin just jumped from fourth worst to sixth best in the nation for letting the public peruse its checkbook.
Racine County DA cited for drunken driving, hit and run
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Chiapete got a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1987 and his law degree from Marquette University in 1991.
On Campus: UW hire Villa listed Walker, former Gov. Thompson and lobbyist as references
Wisconsin State Journal
Jim Villa, hired Wednesday for the new job of vice president of university relations at the University of Wisconsin System, left no doubt about his allegiances when applying for the job. His references: current Republican Gov. Scott Walker, former Republican governor Tommy Thompson and William J. McCoshen, managing partner of a Madison lobbying firm who served Thompson as campaign manager and secretary of commerce.
On Politics: Longtime Scott Walker confidant named to new UW System job
Wisconsin State Journal
Jim Villa, a longtime friend and ally of Gov. Scott Walker, has been named vice president for university relations for the University of Wisconsin System.
Villa to leave CARW to lead UW communications
Milwaukee Business Journal
Jim Villa is leaving his post as president of the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin after landing a job as vice president for university relations at the University of Wisconsin System.
Walker ally Jim Villa gets new UW job
AP
Gov. Scott Walker?s former chief of staff at the county level has been selected for a new high profile job at the University of Wisconsin System.
UW names Gannett digital editor first Wisconsin Journalist in Residence
Badger Herald
As part of a new program to connect professional journalists with University of Wisconsin students, Joel Christopher of Gannett Wisconsin Media has been named the campus? first Journalist in Residence.
Wisconsin Senate to vote on UW research bill
Madison.com
The state Senate is set to vote on a bill that would allow University of Wisconsin institutions to conduct classified national security research.
Senate to vote on UW research bill
WISC-TV 3
The state Senate is set to vote on a bill that would allow University of Wisconsin institutions to conduct classified national security research.
Patrick Durkin: UW study recommends killing more bucks to fight CWD
Madison.com
The peer-reviewed study, released March 21 and published online in PLOS ONE, was led by Christopher S. Jennelle, Ph.D., and Professor Michael D. Samuel at UW.
Audit questions $520,000 in federal aid
Madison.com
A new state audit is questioning the handling of about $520,000 in federal aid received by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the state Department of Public Instruction.
Economist: Much of Mary Burke’s jobs plan ‘aspirational’
Capital Times
Truth is, says UW professor emeritus Andrew Reschovsky, Burke?s plan is long on feel-good lingo and short on substance.
Since taking over the state Legislature, Republicans have moved to restrict local control
Capital Times
But UW-Madison political science professor emeritus Dennis Dresang argued that Republicans prioritizing local control is a fallacy dating back to “day two” of the party ? that is, the iteration following the abolition of slavery. From that point in the party?s history, Dresang said, it has been dominated by moneyed interests as opposed to those espousing small government philosophy.
Walker appoints UW-Madison non-traditional student as Board of Regents representative
Daily Cardinal
Gov. Scott Walker announced the appointment of Nicolas Harsy as a non-traditional student representative on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents in a March 26 release.
Has state hiring risen under Walker? Stats say yes and no
Capital Times
Photo caption: State workers wash windows at Helen C. White Hall on the UW-Madison campus.
UW-Milwaukee chancellor next president of Marquette, paper reports
Madison.com
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Michael Lovell is expected to be named the next president of Marquette University on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Walker appoints new Board of Regents members
Badger Herald
Gov. Scott Walker announced the appointments of three new members to the Board of Regents, the governing body for all University of Wisconsin System schools, in a statement Friday.
Drought conditions expected to continue
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Despite the higher prices, farmers appear to be reluctant to expand production, according to the Dairy Situation and Outlook report issued by the University of Wisconsin-Madison this week.
Mark Pitsch: Open those cookies, and more
Wisconsin State Journal
The Sunshine Week fortune cookies and their messages serve as a reminder to those elected or appointed to do the public?s business that they work for you ? the voting and taxpaying public. UW-Madison and the UW System did not always remember this wisdom.
Switzerland wins top prize but Wisconsin dominates the World Championship Cheese Contest
Wisconsin State Journal
Noted: Bob Aschenbrock, chief judge of the competition, said the success by Wisconsin cheesemakers goes back to the quality of the milk produced by the state?s farmers and the work of the state agriculture officials and the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison.
On Politics: Scott Walker, Mary Burke reveal their Final Four
Wisconsin State Journal
Both Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke picked No. 2 seed Wisconsin to win the college men’s basketball national championship, which kicks into high gear Thursday.
Immigrant students rally in Madison for ‘tuition equity’ at UW System schools
Capital Times
The students, most from Milwaukee or Racine, visited with legislators to lobby for support of a bill introduced by state Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, to offer in-state tuition at University of Wisconsin System campuses to permanent legal residents of the United States who graduated from Wisconsin high schools and have lived in the state for at least three years.
Friend, former chief of staff of Gov. Scott Walker up for top UW job
Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin System named five finalists for the position of vice president for university relations, including the president of a Milwaukee real estate group who is closely allied with Gov. Scott Walker.
Gov. Walker: Badgers in Final Four not unrealistic
AP
Gov. Scott Walker is predicting big things for the Badgers in the NCAA tournament.
Protest against “Indian” team name planned before Mukwonago state game
Noted: Paula Mohan, lecturer at the UW-Madison invites participants to be a part of a peaceful presence to call attention to the harm that race-based mascots can cause to native students throughout the state.
Chris Rickert: Students’ needs a low priority in education bills
Wisconsin State Journal
Carolyn Kelley, a professor of educational leadership and policy analysis at UW-Madison, said she?s not aware of any consensus among researchers on what kind of school calendar best meets children?s educational needs.But she doubted that adding a few minutes to each class period would spur changes in teaching methods enough to cover more content. She also pointed to the well-established finding that ?longer breaks are worse for kids,? especially poor or other ?at-risk? students.
Legislators Considering Bill To Limit Buildings’ Height In Downtown Madison
Wisconsin Public Radio
Noted: The plan would cover much more of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, but UW officials said they have no problem with it. Three UW buildings that are already above the height restriction would be grandfathered in.
On Campus: “I want everyone in this room to ‘get’ our finances,” Ray Cross tells Regents
Wisconsin State Journal
Expect more details, more frequent reports and more questions about financial details regarding the massive University of Wisconsin System, new president Ray Cross told the Board of Regents Friday morning in his first speech to the board.
Strong turnout against bill to roll back living wage ordinances
Capital Times
Instead, Grothman commented on the high-level economic courses Rickman said he had taken while earning a UW-Madison degree by making disparaging comments about the university, which Grothman also attended. ?I took a few classes in economics at UW,? Grothman said. ?And I?d almost consider that a minus.?
Larry Henderson, director of troubled UW System payroll, benefits system resigns
Wisconsin State Journal
The man brought in to fix glitches in the deeply flawed payroll and benefits system used by about 75,000 employees in the University of Wisconsin System has stepped down from his job after two years, the UW System announced late Monday night.
Wisconsin income gap widening faster than nation as a whole
Capital Times
Income inequality in Wisconsin is increasing at a faster rate than the nation as a whole, a trend that authors of a new report (from the Center on Wisconsin Strategy and Wisconsin Budget Project) warn is causing social upheaval and straining government services.
Even while adapting, most Wisconsin farmers are climate change skeptics
Capital Times
Most Wisconsin farmers remain skeptical about climate change, although data show they have already begun adapting to shifts in weather patterns. Quoted: Paul Mitchell, associate professor of agricultural and applied economics; and Chris Kucharik, assistant professor of agronomy and Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment
Tom Still: Tech-based innovation across America: Wisconsin is far from alone
Wisconsin State Journal
The SSTI (State Science and Technology Institute) praised the UW-Madison?s investment in its ?Discovery to Product? initiative to help move good ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. That?s an idea funded, in part, by the Legislature?s UW System Incentive Grants. Only this month, the UW System and WEDC announced creation of a $2 million fund to help transfer technology from other system campuses.
45 years ago: Out-of-state UW students ‘bringing in ideas and ideals which have contributed to campus unrest’
Stevens Point Journal
When State Sen. Ernest Keppler, R-Sheboygan, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, spoke at the Wausau Area Taxpayers League annual meeting recently, he shed some new light on the high cost of non-resident students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin.
Coming Shortage Of Nurses Compounded By Retiring UW Instructors
Wisconsin Public Radio
A shortage of future nurses has prompted four University of Wisconsin campuses to seek instructors.
Wisconsin retirees to see increase in annuity
AP
After five years of decline, retired public employees in Wisconsin will see their monthly pension payments increase starting in May.
Scott Walker campaign features, removes tweet from sexist undergrad
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign team is learning which supporters it should hype on its website.On Wednesday, the campaign website featured a tweet from David Hookstead, a University of Wisconsin-Madison student who caused a major stir with his opinion piece in November suggesting some women “feel the need to exploit anything that may be rape for publicity.”
Scott Walker campaign features, removes tweet from sexist undergrad
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Scott Walker?s campaign team is learning which supporters it should hype on its website. On Wednesday, the campaign website featured a tweet from David Hookstead, a University of Wisconsin-Madison student who caused a major stir with his opinion piece in November suggesting some women “feel the need to exploit anything that may be rape for publicity.”
Wisconsin Faces Looming Nursing Shortage
Public News Service
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin already has a nursing shortage, at a time when more nurses than ever will be needed to attend to an aging population. Another part of the problem is a shortage of nursing educators. Half to three-quarters of qualified students who apply to nursing schools at four University of Wisconsin (UW) System schools are denied admission because of insufficient qualified nursing faculty to teach them.
COWS report says $10.10 minimum wage would help economy, create jobs
Wisconsin State Journal
More than half a million Wisconsin workers ? or, one of every five in the state ? would get bigger paychecks if Wisconsin increases the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from the current $7.25 an hour, according to a report released Monday by the UW-Madison?s Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS).
Assembly OKs bill allowing UW schools to perform classified research
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The state Assembly has approved a bill that would allow University of Wisconsin institutions to perform classified national security research.
Assembly to take up UW classified research bill
Madison.com
The state Assembly is set to take up a bill that allow University of Wisconsin institutions to perform classified national security research.