Author: Joe Salmons

Where Does PROFS Stand on Public Authority?

The proposal developed by the governor and chancellor to make UW-Madison a public authority would trigger the most fundamental changes to this great University since the creation of System almost 40 years ago and, some argue, the most fundamental change…

“What would public authority mean for the Wisconsin Idea?”

On March 30, 2011, a public forum organized and moderated by Horticulture professor and PROFS member Irwin Goldman was held to discuss the question of what Public Authority status might mean for the Wisconsin Idea. The forum was sponsored by…

Another perspective on public authority: “The University Should Reject the Governor’s Proposal for Independence”

Yesterday, we received the text below from Donald Nichols, former president of PROFS, former chair of the University Committee, former Director of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, and someone who truly “has seen government work.” We post it…

More open discussion of the public authority

Yesterday, on WORT-FM‘s A Public Affair, host Tonya Brito interviewed Cyrena Pondrom (English) and David Giroux (UW System) about public authority status for UW-Madison. The show will be archived here for a while.  And we’ll soon link to a permanent…

Video of yesterday’s forum

Just a quick note: We’ve had many phone calls and emails from people who weren’t able to attend yesterday’s forum who wanted to know if it would be recorded. (It was already a pretty packed room, with a fair number…

Faculty Senate: Discussion of the New Badger Partnership

Dear colleagues, Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting includes a ‘committee of the whole discussion’ of the New Badger Partnership (NBP). Many faculty members — beyond senators themselves — are planning to attend and we encourage you to prepare for this meeting…

By which alone the truth can be found

In recent days, the intensity of debate on many fronts has been ratcheted up steadily, first with the protests at the Capitol and now with the disclosure that UW may split from System. We’re hearing from lots of people, and…

Tuesday: March on the Capitol

To the University of Wisconsin community: The crisis in our state capitol and on our campus has steadily deepened in recent days. The consequences of the proposed budget repair bill have come into clearer focus, including the loss of bargaining…

A colleague’s perspective: Some thoughts on the current state of affairs in Wisconsin

The text below came in yesterday, unsolicited, from a young colleague on the faculty of our great University. Like many people, this person is  thinking hard about what faculty can and should do under the present circumstances. We are publishing…