Tune into 1670 AM or listen live online at 10 in the morning to listen to Kurt Baron and The Sconz interview UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin about the New Badger Partnership, the vision for the university that Martin and others have been pushing for over a year, and which has largely been adopted by Gov. Scott Walker in the state budget.
The budget separates UW-Madison from the rest of the UW System, and establishes it as a public authority, meaning it has more independence from state regulations (in exchange for less state funding).
Possible advantages: More flexibility with funds means UW will be able to reward top faculty with pay raises and close the gap between UW faculty pay and that of peer institutions. While UW may seek to raise revenue through tuition hikes, it could provide more need-based scholarships.
Possible disadvantages: UW shifts its focus further towards generating profits and wooing the dollars of corporate donors. Tuition hikes and an increase in out-of-state students could further diminish the UW's role in being an affordable opportunity for low-income and middle-class Wisconsinites. The scholarship stuff doesn't pan out because it doesn't increase the university's prestige. Also, Gov. Walker appoints the majority of the board of trustees.
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