UW System Clipsheet

February 16, 2009

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UW System

"Research needs development," Column, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 14.

University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly observed recently that the 38,000 research-and-development jobs in the state now outnumber the paper industry's total. The observation has great import for a state trying to figure its way out of a deep recession and a heavy dependence on its historic manufacturing sector. The innovation economy is upon us, and Wisconsin, with its world-class educational infrastructure, is well positioned to take advantage of its brain power. Yet it is one thing to have a strong base in a pivotal part of the economy and another to capitalize on it. The R&D has to be turned into patents, licenses and start-up companies...

On Campus

"More tuition aid open to students," The Spectator, Feb. 16.

New private and public investments are providing additional financial aid for students in the UW System, including those attending UW-Eau Claire. UW System President Kevin P. Reilly announced recently that nearly 2,000 UW students received $1.76 million in new need-based assistance from the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars last semester, according to a UW System press release...As the economy continues to be a concern, Sahlhoff said that contrary to what some may expect, when people are going through tougher times, the financial aid office awards more money...

"University of Wisconsin-Madison's innovation room designed to provoke thought, professors say," Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 15.

...But there it sits, smack in the middle of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s biomedical engineering department, a room outfitted more appropriately for a living room than an educational building...But only recently have universities begun to go out of their way to cater to students’ desires for more varied learning areas...

"On Campus: Groups ask Doyle to raise funding for financial aid," Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 15.

Wisconsin college students are not satisfied with Gov. Jim Doyle's statement that "staying even is the new increase" when it comes to funding. In a letter to the governor sent last week, students and those representing student interests urged him to increase funding for financial aid in the next budget...

"University of Wisconsin warns of thefts of electronics," Capital Times, Feb. 13.

The University of Wisconsin Police Department has once again warned students, faculty and staff to watch their valuables, especially electronic gear, and not leave things available for thieves to take. The warning comes after another rash of thefts, especially of audio-visual equipment and laptops, which have been left on study tables by students taking a break, or in unlocked offices of faculty and staff...

"In depth: Top college sports towns," Forbes, Feb. 12.

...Whether for quality of life, business development or investment, it's easy to understand the draw of college towns...3. Madison, Wis. Both the state capital and a legendary party city, Madison is one of the Midwest's best college towns...

"Thai program draws attention," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 13.

A college student's effort to bring undocumented women at risk of being sold into forced labor from Thailand to central Wisconsin for degrees has raised more money and garnered the Clinton Foundation's attention - but still needs to raise about $120,000. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student Joseph Quinnell and his partner Susan Perri worked for three years to get approval from U.S. and Thai officials for a near-unprecedented program that brought two women from Thailand's remote villages to study at UW-Stevens Point last fall...

"Wis. students to fight citation for ice 'joy ride'," Associated Press, Feb. 16.

Three University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students say emergency personnel overreacted when the trio floated down a river on a large ice slab, and they plan to fight their citations...Turek says he and his buddies didn't want or need help. He says they already figured out a plan in case someone fell in...

State

"Doyle warns of pain in budget proposal," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 16.

Key details of the budget that Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle will recommend Tuesday are now known and, with the exception of the coming $3.5 billion shower of federal stimulus cash, there isn't any good news. Doyle repeatedly cautioned last week that his budget will be both unpopular and pinch most - if not all - Wisconsin residents in one way or another...

"Doyle releases budget bill targeted at closing state's massive shortfall," Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 16.

Gov. Jim Doyle today released the 389-page budget bill that aims to close $700 million of the state's massive shortfall. Buried in the bill are two provisions that would make it easier for the state to continue to live beyond its means in tight economic times. The first eliminates the requirement that the state have an even razor-thin financial reserve of $65 million on hand at the close of its fiscal year on June 30...

"Wisconsin excels on AP tests," Marshfield News Herald, Feb. 15.

Wisconsin ranks high in education, but when it comes to advanced placement students, they're at the top of the class -- nationally...

National

"States must set priorities, manage expectations as they divide up money from stimulus plan," Associated Press, Feb. 16.

It may sound like a nice problem for states — figuring out how to spend the billions in infrastructure funding they'll receive as part of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan. But the task is more complicated than it seems, as state officials try to set priorities while managing competing pressures from communities, watchdog groups and federal regulators over how the money is allocated...

"Economy tests historically black colleges," USA Today, Feb. 16.

Historically black colleges and universities, which for decades have been educating students who cannot afford to go — or cannot imagine going — elsewhere, have been particularly challenged by the U.S. economic meltdown. Enrollments at the schools have declined at the same time endowments have dropped and fundraising sources have dried up. The same is true at most universities, but often students at black college and universities need more aid to stay on course...

"Cornell experts discuss colleges' responsibilities during hard times," Chronicle of Higher Education, Feb. 16.

...The question of the evening, amid evidence of growing income gaps and class divisions in American society: Will higher-education institutions like Cornell continue to be able to provide the education that allows anyone to move up, regardless of their parents' financial situation?... (paid subscription required)

"Some states get stimulus whether they need or want it," Chronicle of Higher Education, Feb. 16.

A pot of money in Congress's economic-stimulus bill is primarily intended to help buffer colleges and schools from state budget cuts. But some of the states slated to get the most money from that measure are not necessarily facing the greatest budget gaps or even proposing the sharpest reductions for higher education... (paid subscription required)

"Questions on tuition for new GI Bill," Inside Higher Ed, Feb. 16.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has posted a preliminary, state-by-state list of the maximum amount of tuition and fees payable to veterans under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, and the numbers are causing some confusion – not least because they are in many cases higher, and in some cases, much higher, than anticipated...

"Colleges seek to save student aid experiments," Inside Higher Ed, Feb. 16.

College financial aid officials are seeking to return an unwanted Christmas present the Bush administration delivered in its waning days in office: a plan to eliminate a program that eases federal rules governing financial aid to encourage experiments designed to improve the delivery of assistance to students...