If UW-Madison is to become a public authority as outlined in Governor Scott Walker’s 2011-13 state budget proposal, it will be governed by a 21-member Board of Trustees. Statutory language regarding the proposed board is here, beginning on page 521.
- The board, if approved without legislative changes, will be comprised of 21 members, including 11 chosen by the governor. With the exception of the student member, all will serve 3-year terms, which may be renewed once.
- Seven of the eleven appointed by the governor must be alumni of the university and they must include one member of the Board of Regents and one member who represents the state’s agricultural interests.
- Two faculty members will be selected by the faculty.
- One non-faculty employee member will be chosen by non-faculty employees.
- The boards of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Foundation will each select two alumni representatives to the board.
- Students of the university will choose one student member to serve a 2-year term.
- The chancellor will serve as a non-voting member.
- The board will elect a chairperson annually and may elect other officers if they choose. A majority of eleven members constitute a quorum, and the board may take action upon a vote of the majority, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number.
- The chancellor will serve at the pleasure of the board.
The proposed statutes require that the members appointed by WAA, WARF, and the Foundation must “have a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the university and shall have management experience or possess expertise in the aspects of the university’s mission, such as undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, research, intellectual property, support of existing industries, new business startups, and public service.”
Trustees will not be compensated for their service, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses relating to his or her service on the board.