University Committee Statement on the New Badger Partnership

Statement from the University Committee
18 February 2011

The University Committee supports greater flexibility for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In the face of the current economic uncertainty, we understand that cutbacks in funding from the state are inevitable. In order that our institution is able to weather significant decreases in state funding without compromising our core missions of teaching, research and public service, flexibilities in procurement, capital projects, personnel and tuition are essential. While administrative efficiencies may be important toward ensuring that UW-Madison is managed effectively, such efficiencies will not make up for the likely losses in state funding.

The Faculty Senate adopted a set of principles regarding the proposed New Badger Partnership, including that the right to union representation should not be infringed. The governor’s budget repair bill violates this principle.

Part of what makes UW-Madison so great is its robust governance structures, which involve thoughtful people cooperating and respecting everyone’s rights to representation. Collective bargaining rights are essential to the institution’s well-being and future.

The University Committee will engage in a collaborative and open dialogue with Chancellor Martin, Provost DeLuca, Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell, and governance groups as we move forward in this difficult process.

University Committee

Susan E. Babcock, Material Science and Engineering
Brad Barham, Agricultural and Applied Economics
Judith Burstyn, Chemistry (chair)
Gail Geiger, Art History
Peter Lipton, Physiology
Ann Palmenberg, Biochemistry