State Journal: Potential UW System changes being discussed

Gov. Scott Walker is considering whether to give the UW System more autonomy and reduce legislative oversight on how it raises and spends money, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Saturday (Jan. 17). “Such a proposal,” reporter Dan Simmons wrote, “possibly contained in the governor’s 2015-17 budget plan to be introduced Feb. 3, would echo a 2011 proposal to split UW-Madison from the rest of the UW System that ultimately failed and led to the departure of Biddy Martin, the Madison chancellor who along with Walker championed the split.” An aide to state Sen. Steve Nass, a frequent UW System critic, spoke to Simmons about the possibility. Neither the governor’s office nor the UW System is confirming the discussions. Full story.