UW System Clipsheet

"UW: Budget doesn't raid public broadcast donations," WGBA-TV, March 6.

A University of Wisconsin System spokesman says Gov. Jim Doyle's budget does not skim 1% of donations meant for public broadcasting. UW Extension Chancellor David Wilson warned publicly Thursday that Doyle's budget might divert 1% of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television donations...But UW System spokesman David Giroux said Friday that Wilson did not have the latest information when he spoke. He says the System has been assured by Doyle's aides that donations, including those for public broadcasting, will not be used to balance the budget...

"Our View: UW deserves long-term perspective," Editorial, Wausau Daily Herald, March 7.

We don't believe any public institution deserves a blank check from the taxpayers -- especially at a time of economic distress. But some austerity measures, designed to help the state grapple with a $5.5 billion budget shortfall, might produce short-term benefits at the expense of Wisconsin's long-term well-being. This week's meeting of the Univer-sity of Wisconsin Board of Regents underscored the long-range danger...

"UW code of conduct revisions too tough, students say," WKOW-TV, March 6.

UW students say new code of conduct rules that could punish them for what they do off-campus go too far. The Board of Regents is working on updating the student code of conduct, which hasn't been revised for over 10 years. The United Countil of University of Wisconsin Students is participating in that process, but is not happy with some of the changes the board wants to make to Chapter 17 cases...

Watch: http://www.wkowtv.com...ne=info&rnd=31350936

"Students lobby against System guideline changes," The Spectator, March 9.

An expulsion over a minor citation? One student says proposed changes to the UW System's rules could make it a possible scenario, but a System spokesperson disagrees. According to a recent Senate resolution, the revisions would make students punishable for violating state and federal laws, as well as for "serious or repeated violations of municipal law." Brewster, a member of the group of students who lobbied the System's Board of Regents last week in Milwaukee against adopting the proposed rule changes, said he doesn't think many university administrators will apply the new rules too harshly, but said he's concerned about the lack of safeguards to ensure that doesn't happen...

"Range of voices heard at Chapter 17 hearing," The UWM Post, March 9.

Students from across the state congregated at UW-Milwaukee’s Zelazo Center to express their concerns on the proposed changes to the UW System student misconduct code at a Board of Regents public hearing Thursday, March 5...“As students we have many serious concerns on the revisions,” said Kyle Duerstein, UWM Student Association official and member of the statewide Chapter 17 and 18 review committee. “Chapter 17 is not ready to be revised”...

"UW researchers invited to Obama stem cell ceremony," WISC-TV, March 9.

Five University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers were invited to President Barack Obama's ceremony lifting restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research. Obama signed the order Monday undoing some restrictions put in place by former President George W. Bush on the work.UW-Madison spokesman Terry Devitt said those invited include scientist James Thomson; the co-directors of the school's Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Tim Kamp and Clive Svendsen; bioethicist Alta Charo; and National Stem Cell Bank Director Derek Hei...

"Obama order may diminish importance of Thomson stem cells but expand the research," Associated Press, March 7.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order on Monday reversing restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research. In Madison, where the cells were first derived in 1998 by University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher James Thomson, the long-expected move should expand stem-cell research even as it diminishes the use of Thomson’s cells nationwide, a campus scientist said...

"President Obama expected to reverse limits on embryonic stem cell research," WKOW-TV, March 8.

...Monday, President Barack Obama is expected to overturn an 8-year limit on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research..."The situation became so absurd," said Professor Ronald Kalil at the UW School of Medicine...

Watch: http://www.wkowtv.com...ne=info&rnd=57368918

"Chancellor orders hiring freeze to help curb proposed state cuts," The Spectator, March 9.

Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich announced Wednesday in a memo to all employees that the vice chancellor for Administration, Finance and Facilities position has been eliminated. The announcement comes just one week after Levin-Stankevich enforced a campus hiring freeze to slow down the effects of the state budget's proposed $8.6 million cut in funding to UW-Eau Claire over the next two years...

"Cellular research at UW-River Falls could see big payoff," Pioneer Press, March 7.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is hoping partnerships forged through its new Tissue and Cellular Innovation Center could lead to new treatments for cancerous tumors. The center, an evolution of biology laboratories at the school, is working with companies, schools and medical centers across the state to develop new discoveries surrounding the use of natural materials to grow cells into artificial tissues...

"UWGB tries to shield its student directory data," Associated Press, March 8.

Some parents of University of Wisconsin students are alarmed after learning anyone can get their children's personal information under the state open records law. Students' so-called directory information is considered public, and UW-Madison will provide it to anyone for $90. Registrar Joanne Berg says the fee covers the university's cost and is not a profit. UW-Milwaukee has a similar policy. The story is different at UW-Green Bay, said registrar Mike Herrity...

"Prescribe conflict resolution for UW doctors," Editorial, Wisconsin State Journal, March 7.

If you become a patient at UW Hospital or any other UW Health organization, you should feel confident that decisions made on your case are in your interest, untainted by any financial relationships a doctor or other health professional might have with the medical industry. For that reason, UW Health organizations should adopt the stricter conflict-of-interest policy recommended by a committee of UW doctors and health professionals...

"College grads give back in Wisconsin classrooms," WISC-TV, March 7.

College graduates this spring won't have much to look forward to when it comes to job hunting. A group of local grads might be going back to school. They won't be going back as students, but with the hopes of making waves in the very classrooms that molded them, WISC-TV reported.For the first time in the 18-year history of "Teach for America," the program will be part of Milwaukee public schools. For many new graduates looking to work with today's youth, this means their service to the community can be felt right at home...

Watch: http://www.c3ktogo.com/news-video/?mgid=21339

"Finances a deciding factor for students' college choice," Marshfield News Herald, March 8.

A year ago, Mindy Mueller was pondering her educational options -- begin her college career at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or stay close to home and attend UW-Marshfield/Wood County. Mueller saved nearly $6,400 a year by attending the two-year campus in Marshfield...

"La Crosse campus wants another plan for student aid," Wisconsin Public Radio, March 9.

One university is suggesting another way to pay for Gov. Jim Doyle's commitment to financial aid in the budget. UW-La Crosse will have to pay more than 20 percent of the $25 million for need-based students in the Governor's budget proposal. UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow says he's unhappy with the plan he says singles out his school for saving more money in its auxiliary fund. He says the Governor's proposed $15 million dollars for UW faculty recruitment and retention is s a better way to pay for part of the student aid...

"UW-Oshkosh text messaging alert," NBC26-TV, March 6.

In an effort to proactively enhance emergency communications, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has adopted the e2Campus emergency notification system. The system enables the University to send urgent messages about emergencies to student, faculty and staff cell phones...

"University of Wisconsin-Madison takes gentler view toward parking tickets," Wisconsin State Journal, March 7.

Despite their sometimes hard-hearted reputation, University of Wisconsin-Madison parking enforcers are writing fewer tickets and extracting less money from motorists than in prior years, according to a State Journal review of citations data...

"Fire in UW lab causes $10,000 in damage," Capital Times, March 9.

Equipment being heated in an oven started a fire that caused about $10,000 in damage to a laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Saturday. The fire was in a lab in the engineering department, according to Madison Fire Department public information officer Bernadette Galvez. The building was evacuated, but no one was injured. Most of the damage was sustained to microscopes and computers in the lab...

"Cole's rocky relationship with MATC board, unions may have been factor in dismissal," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 8.

The Milwaukee Area Technical College board has cited former President Darnell Cole's conduct on the night of his drunken driving arrest as the sole reason for the recent decision to fire him. Cole's attorney and supporters have said the board must have had some other, unstated reasons for wanting Cole gone, calling termination too harsh of a punishment for a first-time drunken driving citation. That issue could play a role in a lawsuit Cole plans to file this week challenging his dismissal...

"University labs set to gain from stem-cell switch," Wall Street Journal, March 9.

Lifting federal funding restrictions on embryonic-stem-cell studies will re-energize U.S. researchers and likely bring tens of millions of dollars to university labs. But researchers caution that it will still take years to determine whether the cells can be marshaled to treat diseases...

"For universities, expected shift on stem-cell funds means new opportunities and new risks," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 9.

President Obama plans to sign an executive order today largely ending eight years of limits on federal financing of human-embryonic-stem-cell research that have tangled university laboratories in bureaucracy while slowing advances in one of the most promising fields of medical research... (paid subscription required)

"Obama expected to lift stem cell limits," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 7.

Little more than 10 years after University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher James Thomson first isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells, President Barack Obama is poised Monday to reverse Bush-era restrictions on federal funding in a field that holds huge potential but generates intense controversy...It could also benefit Wisconsin, an early leader in embryonic stem cell work and a major center for research. And although observers vary in their assessment of the importance to research of Obama's apparent decision, one scientist pointed to a less tangible but still significant effect...

"In shifting era of admissions, colleges sweat," New York Times, March 7.

As colleges weigh this year’s round of applications, high school seniors are not the only anxious ones. Just as nervously, colleges — facing a financial landscape they have never seen before — are trying to figure out how many students to accept, and how many students will accept them...

"13 reasons colleges are in this mess," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 9.

...In some ways, higher education has been a victim of the recession — but not a defenseless victim. Smart moves clearly helped some colleges and universities avoid the worst of the downturn. But mistakes have left many others in the lurch... The Chronicle came up with 13 common mistakes that have put many colleges in the fix they're in. There's plenty of responsibility to go around, in the industry and beyond. And the choices that people made are likely to haunt higher education for years... (paid subscription required)

"Faculty raises are down slightly from last year," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 13.

Salaries of college faculty members increased by a median average of 3.7 percent in 2008-9, a lower rate of increase than in 2007-8, a study has found... (paid subscription required)

"Tightening picture for faculty pay," Inside Higher Ed, March 9.

The rate of increase in faculty salaries is down this year – and that is evident even in data collected before many colleges started to announce furloughs and, in some cases, salary cuts. The median increase for faculty members at four-year colleges and universities for 2008-9 was 3.7 percent, according to a study being released today by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. The survey showed larger increases for faculty members at private institutions and for the senior faculty ranks...

"Aid to private colleges goes on states' chopping blocks," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 13.

...But as states are forced to make cuts to balance their budgets, legislators and governors can find it more politically palatable to slash aid to independent colleges than funds for public colleges, whose missions are tied more closely to meeting state needs... (paid subscription required)

"St. Mary's builds new path to college," Washington Post, March 9.

...Well-known colleges and high schools have bonded like this for years. Some D.C. private schools send three or four kids a year to Harvard University. But schools like Cardozo rarely develop such relationships with selective colleges, like St. Mary's. To build that trust, O'Brien appointed herself personal adviser to the Cardozo crew, asking about their classes, organizing trips, suggesting graduate school options and coming up with cash in distracting emergencies, like an unpaid electric bill back home...

"UDC chief wants to cut undergrad major in education," Washington Post, March 9.

The University of the District of Columbia plans to shut down its struggling undergraduate education department, which, officials say, is out of touch with current thinking on how to train teachers and fails to graduate the vast majority of its students...