Author: Jack O'Meara

The Importance of Competitive Compensation

At its core, a great university is successful because of people. Educators who inspire and challenge their students. Researchers doing cutting-edge projects that attract outside funding and drive our state’s economy. Academics committed to improving the lives of the people…

Don’t Forget the Federal Level

With all the talk about how the university could be affected by actions at the State Capitol, it’s easy to forget how important the federal government is to UW-Madison. The reality is that Bucky gets nearly twice as much money…

How UW Will Fare Under New Governor

The Daily Cardinal had a nice article yesterday on how the candidates for governor will treat the University of Wisconsin System, and UW-Madison in particular, if elected next Tuesday. In a nutshell, Republican Scott Walker says his main priority is…

Orszag Column Highlights Importance of Wednesday’s Forum

Peter Orszag, writing in yesterday’s New York Times, points to rising health care costs as the primary reason why states have had to reduce their commitment to higher education in recent years. Orszag, former director of the White House Office…

Graduate Education Funding Included in UW System Budget Proposal

The campaign to secure more funding for graduate education at UW-Madison won a major victory this week when the University of Wisconsin System included $5.4 million for graduate education in its proposed budget for the 2011-2013 biennium. The Decision Item…

Wisconsin Legislature Wraps Up Session

When the Wisconsin State Assembly adjourned in the wee hours of Friday morning, thus ended the regular session of the 2009-1010 Legislature. What this means is that a piece of legislation that was not passed by both houses is dead…

New Data: Peer Pay Comparisons Based on This Year’s Numbers

Most of you probably saw the article in Sunday’s Wisconsin State Journal, along with some subsequent campus discussion like the Daily Cardinal editorial (see post below), detailing how our faculty salaries continue to lag behind our peers. UW System is…

Public Attitudes Towards Higher Education

There is an interesting, and troubling, article in today’s New York Times. A new study shows an increasing number of people believe that colleges are focused more on operating like a business than on providing a quality educational experience. And,…

Regents Plan Next Steps for Growth Agenda

On Thursday, February 4, the UW Board of Regents heard from System President  Kevin Reilly about his plans for the next elements of the Growth Agenda that will be incorporated into the UW’s 2011-2013 budget proposal. While he didn’t get…