In an about-face from his first term, Gov. Scott Walker wants to eliminate funding for a University of Wisconsin-Madison renewable energy research center that has played a key role in helping land one of its biggest government grants ever.
The budget would change the UW System into the new University of Wisconsin System Authority, moving the university’s 34,648.44 full-time-equivalent positions off of the state’s payroll.
Although they don’t have all the details, the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences realizes that it will be impacted by the $300 million dollar budget cut proposed for the next two years. The dean of CALS says all aspects of the school may be affected including faculty, class size and even research. Something that ultimately will be felt by the ag community throughout the state.
A provision in Governor Scott Walker’s proposed 2015-2017 state budget would allow University of Wisconsin System campuses to stop reporting sexual assaults. The language is part of the governor’s larger proposal to grant greater autonomy to the UW. A summary of the governor’s budget compiled by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau noted that the language is just one of a number of changes included under a plan to create a UW System Public Authority.
Members of the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee will begin the process this week of going over Governor Scott Walker’s state budget proposal.
MADISON — A nonpartisan analysis of Gov. Scott Walker’s nearly $70 billion budget proposal released Thursday will serve as the blueprint for legislative debate for the next four months.
Walker’s budget includes giving the University of Wisconsin System more autonomy while also cutting $300 million from it and freezing tuition … Walker has said he’s open to lowering the cut to UW, as well as putting more money into public education and other changes.
Seventy-four University of Wisconsin faculty members from campuses across the state signed an open letter to UW System president Ray Cross, “insisting in the strongest possible terms” that Cross oppose Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to restructure the university as a public authority.
A group of professors, staffers and students from University of Wisconsin campuses statewide urged UW System president Ray Cross to withdraw support for sweeping changes to the universities proposed by Gov. Scott Walker, calling for a two-year moratorium.
“At the onset of the budget-crafting process, there are more questions than answers about how agriculture’s priorities will fare in overall changes to the University of Wisconsin System,” said Jim Holte, president, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, in a statement regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s state budget proposal announced this month.
At state university campuses around Wisconsin, department heads are going into budgeting processes contemplating cuts that could be as small as five percent or as large as 20 percent – or more.
Scott Walker was never going to win fans among the faculty at the University of Wisconsin. Four years ago, Wisconsin professors were in the state capitol protesting the governor’s plans to limit public employee collective bargaining powers. But, boy, did he make enemies this month when he proposed $300 million more in budget cuts to the state’s university and altering the words of the school’s mission. Walker has clearly made some tactical missteps in recent weeks—and the fact that he himself doesn’t have a college degree doesn’t add to his credibility. But Walker’s problems are those almost everyone in the Republican field could soon have.
These are challenging days at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Because the university is so intrinsically linked to the community, I want you to know what has transpired.
With their embrace of right-to-work legislation, Republicans are advancing their four-year transformation of Wisconsin, weaving conservative policies and politics into the fabric of a state where the Progressive era has yielded to the age of Scott Walker.
This Republican revolution arguably represents the greatest reordering of Wisconsin’s politics in a century, encompassing everything from allowing the concealed carry of handguns, putting new rules on abortion providers and rolling over once powerful union foes.
Chancellors and budget cutting task forces on campuses across the University of Wisconsin System are considering a variety of options for dealing with anticipated state budget cuts.
University of Wisconsin-Superior is negotiating an agreement with UW-Eau Claire to share services as part of an effort to cut costs and explore regionalizing services within the UW System.
This Saturday, the UW-Madison Division of International Studies and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are holding the third annual Wisconsin Global Youth Summit. More than 170 students from 35 high schools around the state will participate in activities that involve interacting with people from other cultures to stimulate their reflection on global citizenship and inspire them to explore the world. There’s an additional session for teacher with more than 60 participating.
The Wisconsin Idea is the guiding principle of the University of Wisconsin. This approach to higher education emphasizes service to the state: working shoulder-to-shoulder with people in their communities to solve problems and make life better. The philosophy was first articulated in 1904 by University of Wisconsin President Charles Van Hise, who said he would “never be content until the beneficent influence of the university reaches every family in the state.”
If proposals by two Republican governors are approved, public universities in Illinois and Wisconsin could soon experience sweeping layoffs, program eliminations and possible campus closures.
Public higher education in Wisconsin always has kept a strong focus on the future. That is why it is encouraging to me to see the elements in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal that reinforce the University of Wisconsin System’s concentration on and commitment to shaping our identity of tomorrow while we deal with the challenges of today.
Tension was evident in Union South’s Varsity Hall Monday during a public forum discussing the ramifications Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed UW System budget cuts could have on UW-Madison undergraduates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A provision in Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget would allow the University of Wisconsin System to keep the details of its research secret.
The Great Room of the Yellowjacket Union at the University of Wisconsin-Superior was less than half-filled for a forum on Monday, but at one point about half of those in attendance had their hands raised.
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin lawmakers, and the University of Wisconsin–Superior Chancellor listened as faculty, students and alumni voiced their concerns about proposed University of Wisconsin System budget cuts Monday night.
MADISON, Wis. — 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.”
