UW System Clipsheet

"Regents' diversity vote means trouble for U. of Wisconsin," Chronicle of Higher Education, Feb. 19.

Despite challenges from Republican state lawmakers over the future of the UW System's state funding, university officials are standing by a recent decision to update its admissions policies to emphasize both academic and nonacademic factors, including race and ethnicity; 11 of the 13 UW System four-year campuses already accept well over 75 percent of applicants, and the update is not expected to drastically alter admissions outcomes. (subscription required)

"Pay, research opportunities diminish faculty retention," Stevens Point Journal, Feb. 19.

Officials from UW-Stevens Point are concerned that lower-than-average starting salaries at that campus and throughout the UW System will continue to reduce the university's ability to retain star faculty and staff, who often choose to leave Wisconsin for higher-paying jobs with more time for research.

"Black enrollment at UW-L has declined precipitously in past 10 years," La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 18.

UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow called campus diversity "vitally important" to the educational experience; the remarks come as the number of students, faculty and staff of color on campus has declined in recent years.

"Policy targets alcohol intake," Badger Herald, Feb. 19.

A draft of a proposed UW-Madison policy calls for responsible alcohol use among members of the campus's registered student organizations; one UW-Madison official said the proposal aims to set standards for campus-sponsored activities and that administrators would only become involved in instances of egregious violations.

"UWFV event diversifies black history," Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb. 18.

More than 100 people attended UW-Fox Valley's Fox Cities Black History Month Celebration, where they learned about the numerous contributions the African continent has made to global society and culture.

"Tuition hikes in Doyle's budget and more," Associated Press, Feb. 18.

Tuition increases proposed in Gov. Jim Doyle's budget would be among the smallest in decades, and would be used to further improve the quality of the UW System, in part by helping to retain key faculty and staff.

Related: "Badgers to pay more money for college," Daily Cardinal, Feb. 19.

Editorial: "Doyle's budget has good intentions, but doubts remain," Editorial, Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb. 18.

"State scraps computer project," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 18.

The state has ended a project that was originally designed to revamp how its Department of Workforce Development keeps track of unemployment insurance claims; to date, the state spent more than $23 million on the project.

"Minn. could up tuition cost for Wis. residents," Daily Cardinal, Feb. 19.

State Rep. Spencer Black said changes to the current Wisconsin-Minnesota tuition reciprocity agreement would be met with strong opposition in Wisconsin, since the state already pays Minnesota $5 million each year due to differential tuition.

"Nanotechnology funding for CVTC not in budget," Eau Claire Leadet-Telegram, Feb. 16.

State legislators said they would consider new funding for new equipment and faculty at Chippewa Valley Technical College for nanotechnology advancement; such funds were not included in Gov. Jim Doyle's budget proposal.

"Program helps artists blossom," Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 19.

ArtsBuild, housed at UW-Platteville and started with funding from UW-Extension, is an economic development project aimed at helping southwestern Wisconsin arts-related businesses begin or expand.

"Students, taxpayers benefit from STAR bill," Editorial, Marshfield News-Herald, Feb. 18.

An editorial in favor of the Student Aid Reward Act, a proposed federal bill that would provide greater Pell Grant funding for colleges and universities that offer students direct student loans, rather than using private financial institutions.

"NCAA starts drug-testing program in Division III," Associated Press, Feb. 17.

The NCAA will begin performing random drug screenings on Division III athletes to better understand the use of performance-enhancing substances among student-athletes.

Related: "UW-L not part of NCAA initiative," La Crosse Tribune, Feb. 17.

"'Chief' is dead," Associated Press, Feb. 17.

After twice being barred from hosting post-season NCAA events, the University of Illinois will no longer use its Chief Illiniwek mascot.