09/29/05
The Paul Barrows case is a terribly complicated and unfortunate personnel matter. And it may not be over. Barrows has every right in the world to explore all his legal options and he’s doing just that. But we nevertheless find some measure of satisfaction in the report issue by Attorney Susan Steingass and in the responses to that report by UW System President Kevin Reilly, UW Madison Chancellor John Wiley and Provost Peter Spear.
The investigation and report were thorough. And the responses were genuine. Additionally the University is right to review its employment policies and how those policies are understood by lawmakers and citizens alike. But we have said from the beginning that this was a personnel matter first and foremost. It is not an indictment of the credibility or accountability of the entire system as some legislators have made it out to be. The UW is a critical player in this state’s present and future. We can continue to support its moving forward.