UW System Clipsheet

April 9, 2009

Note that some links may expire. If you need assistance with a specific article, please contact us at clipsheet@uwsa.edu

On Campus

"The vital economic recovery value of Greater Wisconsin public universities and colleges," Column, WisOpinion, April 8.

Many people understand and value major research universities such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee and their impact on economic growth and recovery. However, the “Greater Wisconsin” public universities and colleges that serve more than 100,000 students and 60 percent of the state’s residents are regional educational, research, cultural, and economic bedrocks. These institutions greatly impact the long-term regional economic development strategies for Wisconsin through workforce development, business enterprise services and regional community enhancement... [Column by UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard H. Wells]

"ASM passes partial endorsement of chancellor's new initiative," Daily Cardinal, April 9.

The Associated Students of Madison partially endorsed the Wisconsin Initiative for Undergraduates Wednesday and resolved to create a shared governance committee to oversee the allocation of the funds if the initiative passes...While ASM supports the initiative’s vision, the group has lingering questions about how the initiative will operate if passed by the UW System Board of Regents in May...

"ASM partially supports chancellor's tuition hike," Badger Herald, April 9.

The Associated Students of Madison’s Student Council voted Wednesday to partially endorse Chancellor Biddy Martin’s budget initiative to raise student tuition Wednesday. The council decided on only a partial endorsement for the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates in an effort to ensure all students, as well as council members, fully understand the proposal before taking a permanent stance...

"Martin's initiative will benefit every student," Column, Daily Cardinal, April 9.

UW-Madison Chancellor Carolyn “Biddy” Martin has proposed a new initiative to provide additional investment in the undergraduate experience at UW-Madison through a premium tuition applied only on the Madison campus. We support this initiative for the following reasons...

"Nonfiscal items cut from budget," Daily Cardinal, April 9.

In a memo released Tuesday, Joint Finance Committee co-chairs state Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, and state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison identified 45 nonfiscal items they plan to pull from the 2009-’11 state budget, but did not remove the statewide smoking ban or domestic-partner benefits from the budget...

"Conference to gauge state's energy future," Blog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 8.

Planning for Wisconsin's energy future will be the subject of a conference sponsored by the Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison later this month...

"UW Whitewater students oppose anti-gay group's demonstration," WKOW 27, April 8.

A Milwaukee-based religious group spent part of the day on the UW-Whitewater campus preaching against homosexuality. Students said everyone has a right to protest, but many opposed the message...

"Gay rights subject of heated debate outside University Center," Royal Purple, April 8.

UW-Whitewater students want to turn a potentially negative event - an antigay protest - into an opportunity to aid a gay support group...

"Events bring social issues light," Advance-Titan, April 9.

During Social Justice Week last week, events across UW-Oshkosh tried to expose equality issues in all areas of academics, which was highlighted by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton’s keynote address...

"UW-Stout students approve smoking ban," Channel 3000, April 9.

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout have voted to ban smoking anywhere on campus...

"DoIT works to fight off Conficker," Badger Herald, April 9.

With Wednesday marking one week since the infamous computer virus Conficker was scheduled to activate, technology experts on campus are pushing continued vigilance by students, staff and faculty to keep University of Wisconsin networks safe from infection...

"Some think Badger Bus plan to close West Wash depot is shortsighted," Capital Times, April 9.

...But it's what the development will replace -- a downtown transit hub that has been in place for decades -- that is generating controversy and sparking discussion about the future of downtown transportation in Madison... The bus, which costs $35 round-trip from Madison to Milwaukee, is popular among University of Wisconsin-Madison students, who comprise 80 percent of Badger Bus' current customer base. Only 10 percent of passengers currently depart from the depot, however, which is located at the corner of Bedford Street and West Washington Avenue. The vast majority of riders prefer the bus stop at the Memorial Union, Meier said, making the depot an underutilized piece of downtown property...

"UW students participate in Sexual Assault Day of Action," Daily Cardinal, April 9.

Tables and volunteers encircled Library Mall Wednesday for Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment’s Sexual Assault Day of Action. According to PAVE member Kari Mickelson, the main objective of the event was to promote awareness and collect pledges encouraging sexual assault awareness...

State

"Obey visit targets lean principles," Leader-Telegram, April 8.

U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau, visited Rooney Printing on Wednesday for a briefing on the UW-Stout-based Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center, which applies lean strategies to help regional companies become more productive...

"Study finds millions in waste at Milwaukee Public Schools," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 9.

Milwaukee Public Schools could save as much as $103 million a year if it operated like a well-run business, according to a much-anticipated report that has Gov. Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett taking steps that could lead to a takeover of the system...

"Doyle, Barrett announce effort to reform MPS," Business Journal of Milwaukee, April 9.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Thursday announced a broad effort to drive innovation, school improvement and fiscal responsibility in Milwaukee Public Schools...“The economic future of Milwaukee and future of the state of Wisconsin hinges on the ability of Milwaukee’s families, communities, and schools to prepare well educated, highly trained and skilled graduates for success in higher education, the workplace and life,” Doyle said...

National

"Colleges in 3 states to set basics for degrees," New York Times, April 9.

In the first American effort of its kind, universities and colleges in Indiana, Minnesota and Utah are starting pilot projects to make sure that degree programs in their states reflect a consensus about what specific knowledge and skills should be taught...

"GI Bill lets veterans take flight," Inside Higher Ed, April 9.

Under the new GI Bill, a veteran attending college in Colorado would be eligible for a tuition benefit of up to $419 per credit hour, and also up to $43,035, per term, to cover any student fees.That’s right: up to $43,035 for fees (not tuition). The new Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover veterans’ tuition and fees up to the highest undergraduate, resident rates charged by a public institution in a state...

"Maximum tuition and fees to be paid under new GI Bill program go way up," Chronicle of Higher Education, April 9.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has released its final list of state-by-state tuition and fees caps that help determine the amount of benefits veterans can receive under the new GI Bill, and the maximum fees that the new aid could cover skyrocketed in several states from the numbers that were first posted in February... (paid subscription required)

"Colleges sharpen tactics for resolving academic-integrity cases," Chronicle of Higher Education, April 10 issue.

Professors sometimes get strikingly similar essays. When they do, it's easy to assume that a weaker student copied from a brainier classmate. Matthew Coster says Central Connecticut State University kicked him out on that premise — until a court ruled otherwise... (paid subscription required)

"Most 2009 college grads find lower salary offers," BusinessWeek, April 8.

This is shaping up to be a bad year for freshly minted college graduates. The 1.5 million students receiving bachelor's degrees in 2009 will be competing with more than 1.8 million degree holders who are currently unemployed as the economy continues to shed jobs. It's enough to make seniors think seriously about grad school—or moving back in with their parents...

"The new endowment portfolio," Column, Inside Higher Ed, April 9.

Cornell University and Citigroup would seem to have very little in common aside from the fact that Citi’s former chairman, financial deal-maker Sandy Weill, is a noted Cornell graduate who has given generously to his alma mater. But there’s another, more significant commonality. Both institutions are suffering immense pain and dislocation because their balance sheets are tarnished with illiquid assets...