Author: Michelle Felber

UW System Student Free Speech Survey Results

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Yesterday, the University of Wisconsin System released results from a survey (below) of students on their perceptions of free speech on campus. The survey was proposed last spring, but its implementation was delayed due to questions about how the survey would be administered. PROFS was very concerned about the survey and called on UW System Interim President Michael Falbo to cancel, rather than postpone, the survey.

The survey was completed last December by nearly 10,500 students representing every four-year campus within UW System. The response rate ranged from 9.4% at UW-Milwaukee to 19.1% at UW-Platteville.

About 40% of students identified as liberal or very liberal, while more than 52% indicated they were moderate, conservative, or very conservative.

Results showed that many students are concerned about how others may view their opinions and worry their grades could suffer if they expressed themselves in class.

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UW-Madison State Budget Priorities

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Governor Tony Evers will deliver his first State of the State Address of his second term in office at 7 pm tonight. Coverage of the speech is available on Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin.

While a preview of the speech was not made available, the governor is expected to offer some insight on where he might direct some of the state’s record $6.6 billion budget surplus as part of the 2023-25 biennial budget.

PROFS has already met with members of Governor Evers’ staff to discuss the upcoming budget, and UW-Madison has outlined its priorities in the handout below. The budget process is lengthy and begins  on February 15 when the governor delivers his biennial budget message.

PROFS is actively involved throughout the entire process and will continue to keep faculty and the entire university community informed over the coming months. Follow PROFS on Facebook and Twitter for the most current information.

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December Board of Regents Meeting

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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will meet at the Gordon Dining and Event Center at UW-Madison today and tomorrow, December 8 and 9. Registration for the livestream of the open portions of the meeting is here.

Regents will meet in committee Thursday morning:

  • The Audit and Business & Finance Committees will meet jointly to discuss the draft 2022 Annual Financial Report. The draft report states “…UW System’s Net Position increased significantly, from $6 billion in fiscal year 2021 to nearly $6.4 billion in 2022. This increase is largely attributable to our investments in capital assets and other restricted assets, such as pension assets.” The draft report further states that “UW System has proven to be both flexible and resilient. Instead of returning to ‘business as usual,’ the UW System is applying the knowledge gained from the pandemic, with respect to digital pedagogy, student access, research, and dynamic approaches to work, to address current challenges of rising inflation, changing enrollments, and volatility in capital markets.”
  • The Business & Finance Committee will consider approval graduate and professional school tuition increases at UW-Madison, two collective bargaining agreements, and new salary ranges for senior executives (UW System president, senior vice presidents and vice presidents; and chancellors and provosts/vice chancellors). The committee will also hear reports on faculty turnover and faculty salary adjustments.
  • The Education Committee will consider two new degree programs at UW-Milwaukee and hear reports on the Wisconsin Partnership Program, credit for prior learning, and dual enrollment.
  • The Audit Committee will hear updates on the FY23 Audit Plan Progress Report and the Annual Report of Regent Policy Document 4-21, Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.
  • The Capital Planning & Budget Committee will consider approval to increase the budget of UW-Madison’s Computer, Data and Information Science Building and UW-Madison’s purchase of a building and almost 6 acres on University Avenue. The building will house those programs displaced by the redevelopment of the Mosse Humanities Building. The committee will also discuss approval of several building and renovation projects, including projects at Grainger Hall, the Law Building, the Materials Science Engineering Building, and a UW-Madison parking structure.

The full board will meet Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. On Thursday, the board will hear updates from UW System President Jay Rothman and Regent President Karen Walsh. Rothman will provide an update on the recent announcement that UW-Platteville at Richland will end in-person instruction at the end of this academic year, while Walsh will update the board on chancellor searches at UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater. The board will also discuss and consider approval of the 2023-28 Strategic Plan. Finally, the board will move into closed session to discuss a naming gift at UW-Stevens Point, chancellor salary adjustments, and an employment agreement for the Regent Executive Assistant and Corporate Secretary.

On Friday, Regents will approve committee action and amendments to Regent By-laws. The board will also hear a panel discussion on the Dairy Innovation Hub.

According to the agenda, Governor Tony Evers may also visit the Regents on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

 

 

December Legislative Update

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This legislative update was shared with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty Senate Monday. The senate meets the first Monday of every month at 3:30 pm during the academic year, October through May, except in January.

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UW System Survey on Student Perceptions

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Hundreds of students from each University of Wisconsin System institution received emails today inviting them to participate in a survey on perceptions of free speech and civil dialogue on campus. The full survey is below. Last week, UW System President Jay Rothman announced the relaunch of a revised survey that had been planned for last spring.

PROFS spoke out against the need for such a survey last spring, and last week PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that faculty are “still unsure why the survey is needed in the first place because climate studies have shown pretty clearly that students from various groups, political and otherwise, feel that they can express their opinions freely.”

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The GOP Higher Education Agenda

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As we enter the final week of the 2022 campaign season, PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals shares his thoughts on the value of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin System to the state and why it’s important to set aside political partisanship when it comes to the university.

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October Board of Regents Meeting

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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will meet at UW-Eau Claire tomorrow and Friday, September 29 and 30. Registration for the livestream of the open portions of the meeting is here.

Regents will meet in committee Thursday morning:

  • The Audit Committee will hear several reports and updates, including the FY2023 Audit Plan Progress Report and an Information Technology Security Program update.
  • The Capital Planning and Budget Committee will consider approval of construction projects and the sale of parcels of land at several UW System institutions and granting authority of UW-Madison to enter into a lease for multiple schools and colleges at University Research Park. UW-Madison will also present a master plan for the West Innovation Park.
  • The Business and Finance Committee will hear a presentation on UW-Eau Claire’s financial planning in support of its strategic plan and a proposal to reorganize the UW System Office of Finance and Administration. The committee will also review Regent Policy Document 22-2, Disposal of Works of Art.
  • The Education Committee will hear a presentation on strategies to expand high-impact experiences for LGBTQIA+ students, an update from the Caregiving Task Force, and a panel discussion on serving students with disabilities. The committee will also consider approval of a new business analytics degree program at UW-La Crosse.

The full board will meet Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Thursday’s agenda includes updates from UW System President Jay Rothman and Regent President Karen Walsh. Walsh will update the board on chancellor searches at UW-Whitewater and UW-Platteville and preview the board’s November meeting, while Rothman’s agenda includes updates on his first 100 days, a trip to Washington, DC, the start of the fall semester, and preliminary enrollment figures. UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt will also address the board on the topic of inclusion and innovation.

On Friday, the board will consider approval of the previous day’s committee action, hear a panel discussion on the value of economic development collaborations, and present the 2022 Staff Excellence Awards. An optional closed session is also on the agenda.

 

 

August Board of Regents Meeting

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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will meet in Green Bay on Thursday and Friday, August 18 and 19. The meeting will be held in the UW-Green Bay University Union and livestreamed via Webex.

Regents will meet in committee Thursday morning:

  • The Business & Finance Committee will hear several reports and presentations, including one from UW-Green Bay on investing in access and student success. The committee will also discuss the 2023-25 biennial budget request which includes funding for 4% employee pay increases in each year of the biennium, a 4% increase in general operation funding, and funding for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise.
  • The Education Committee will discuss the benefit and challenges of direct admissions, hear a presentation from UW-Green Bay on how the university thinks differently about higher education, and consider approval of three new degree programs at UW-Green Bay (Master of Public Administration), UW-Madison (Master of Science in Engineering Management), and UW-Parkside (Master of Science in Physician Assistant).
  • The Audit Committee will discuss several topics related to internal audits and compliance and hear UW-Green Bay’s Annual Division I Athletics Report.
  • The Capital Planning & Budget Committee will hear a report on UW-Green Bay and consider approval of the 2023-25 capital budget request.The capital budget request focuses on repairing aging facilities, modernizing learning environments, removing obsolete facilities, expanding STEM and health sciences education, and promoting improved planning. UW-Madison projects included in the 2023-25 capital budget request include a new Engineering building, relocation of the Art Department, replacement of the Camp Randall Sports Center (The Shell), and several smaller projects.

The full board will meet Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Thursday’s agenda includes updates from UW System President Jay Rothman and Board of Regents President Karen Walsh, presentations on affordability and how student aid can improve talent development and the number of college graduates in the state. The board will also vote on the 2023-25 biennial and capital budgets.

On Friday, the board will review and consider approval of committee work and have panel discussions on advising and talent engagement and workforce readiness in northeastern Wisconsin.

PROFS Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health

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Last Friday, the United States Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn Roe v. Wade. PROFS is deeply concerned about the negative effects this will have on Wisconsin citizens, but also on the University of Wisconsin-Madison and its School of Medicine and Public Health. Our statement is below:

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Statements on Supreme Court Decision

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The University of Wisconsin System, UW-Madison, and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health all released statements last Friday following the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

UW System President Jay Rothman:

We know that abortion remains a highly contentious issue that directly affects our students. We are reviewing the U.S. Supreme Court decision to determine what impact it may have on our universities. Like others, we will monitor the legal process surrounding this issue and will adhere to the law as it continues to evolve.

UW-Madison Interim Chancellor John Karl Scholz:

This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health that overturns the precedent set by Roe v Wade almost 50 years ago. We recognize the decision evokes a wide range of feelings in our community as it alters long-standing federal protections and allows states to regulate abortion without federal constitutional standards.

While UW–Madison will continue to meet all applicable legal requirements, we are facing a period of uncertainty as the new legal status for abortion access in Wisconsin is interpreted and challenged. We know this uncertainty may affect some members of our community more than others.

We are concerned about the decision’s implications for patient care and clinical training of obstetrics and gynecology residents. We will continue to work to understand the full impact of the Supreme Court’s decision and assess its implications for the campus community.

We encourage you to seek support and community in ways that feel right to you. Campus resources are also available to anyone seeking assistance in processing change and uncertainty:

Students may contact University Health Services by calling 608-265-5600 (option 9) or schedule an appointment through MyUHS.Employees may access services through the Employee Assistance Office.

Employees may access services through the Employee Assistance Office.

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Dean Robert N. Golden, MD:

The decision by the Supreme Court of the United States on Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health to overturn the abortion access precedent set by Roe v Wade has significant implications for the patients and populations we serve. The ruling is directly relevant to the relationship between women and their health care professionals, and we are assessing how it may impact clinical training.

We remain completely dedicated to our patients, and will provide the best care possible and trustworthy, accurate medical information. We will continue to provide outstanding, comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology residency training. And we will continue to advance health equity by identifying ways to support marginalized populations that are disproportionally affected by barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare.

We will continue to meet all applicable legal requirements. While there may be some uncertainties regarding legal interpretations of state statutes, we will continue to comply with laws related to reproductive health care.