The University Committee of UW-Madison, the elected executive committee of the Faculty Senate and the PROFS Board of Directors, sent the following memo outlining their concerns about the Blueprint for UW System Beyond COVID-19 to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents and UW System President Ray Cross.
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University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross appeared on WISN’s UpFront with Adrienne Pedersen Sunday to discuss his Blueprint for the University of Wisconsin System Beyond COVID-19.
Cross introduced the blueprint to the Board of Regents Friday. His plan instructs each regional four-year campus to identify its strongest programs so cuts may be made in areas with limited student interest or instructional capabilities. The plan also includes administrative consolidation and an expansion of online course offerings. UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee are exempt from the directive.
Many faculty throughout UW System have expressed concern about the lack of shared governance in this process, which Cross characterized Sunday as “aggressive and quick.” Cross did not comment on shared governance explicitly in the interview, but said that the board “will seek input from folks in the process” (below).
If they (the Board of Regents) choose to adopt a blueprint, then the faculty and staff around the campuses and communities will be engaged in the process of trying to evaluate this through an objective model that is well known through higher education. How do you refine your mission and make choices on priorities? How do you evaluate programs and services?
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents met in a special meeting yesterday. A large part of the meeting was to discuss a “blueprint” (below) for moving the System forward in light of the tremendous budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.
While UW-Madison is exempt from this plan, PROFS continues to carefully monitor the action of the board to ensure that principles of shared governance are honored throughout the process.
Some faculty and legislators have spoken out with strong concerns about the plan. State Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), a member of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, sent a letter (below) to UW System President Ray Cross outlining her thoughts on the plan. She is particularly concerned shared governance groups and legislators part of the development of the plan before it was announced and how this plan may affect issues related to equity and access.
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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Executive Committee will meet at 2:30 pm today to discuss granting UW System President Ray Cross and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Black the authority to create policies and procedures relating to employee furloughs in response to the immense budget pressures due to COVID-19:
“The University of Wisconsin System is facing increased fiscal challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents, under the authority granted to the Board in Wis. Stats. s. 36.115, is being asked to modify Regent Policy Document 20-21 to authorize the UW System President and the UW-Madison Chancellor to create furlough policies. The furlough policies will provide options in addition to the other workforce reduction and cost saving measures, to address these financial challenges in a way that minimizes layoffs and maximizes the UW System’s ability to continue to perform its critical educational and outreach mission.”
The meeting will be webcast live here.
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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will meet via teleconference at 9:15 am, Thursday, April 2. Originally scheduled as a two-day meeting, the board will forgo committee meetings and will meet in full board session instead. Livestream coverage of the meeting is here.
Some discussion items include updates on the impact of COVID-19, the UW-Green Bay and UW-Stevens Point Chancellor searches and the UW System President search. The committee will also consider approval of new degree programs, building projects, clinical trials and an update to UW System’s strategic framework. The board concludes with a closed session.
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PROFS continues to lobby on two bills that relate to UW Extension. While the regular session of the legislature ended today, a special session could be called later this spring.
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UW-Madison and UW System each have COVID-19 websites with resources for faculty, staff and students:
UW-Madison announced today that face-to-face instruction is suspended for the remainder of the semester. Students who are unable to return home will be allowed to remain in residence halls with limited dining. Information about spring commencement will be announced soon.
A new employee leave policy was also announced today. UW-Madison is providing an 80 hour leave bank in additional to current leave policy. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, on-campus work is required only for those delivering essential services that cannot be done via telecommuting. Workers who cannot telecommute and who are not involved in essential services may use leave.
UW-Madison’s COVID-19 website includes a section on instructional continuity to help faculty and staff develop remote teaching. Webinars are offered daily.
Students who return home may find they have limited access to broadband or reliable internet services. Several providers are offering free or reduced cost service to students, including Charter, TDS and Comcast. A link with Wisconsin providers and service areas is here.
Some students remaining on campus may face financial challenges. Please encourage students to utilize the resources found on the COVID-19 FAQ page (scroll down to Financial Matters). UW-Madison has also created a special emergency support fund to help students with travel, food and housing costs. Contributions to that fund can be made here.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has created a website with information relating to the university’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
In-person instruction will be suspended this Friday prior to spring beak, and distance learning will begin March 23. Students who live in residence halls are asked to remain off campus after break if possible.
Chancellor Rebecca Blank held a news conference yesterday with additional information about changes to campus operations due to the virus. A portion of her remarks are below. The full press conference is here.
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