UW System Clipsheet
September 11, 2009
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Board of Regents
"UW regents approve $81.4M payroll project," Associated Press, Sept. 11.
"UW regents to take up jobs, payroll system and H1N1," WKOW-TV 27, Sept. 11.
In a 15-2 vote, the UW Board of Regents gave final approval to plans for an $81.4 million payroll and benefits system. The vote does require new safeguards in the UW System contract with the system's lead contractor, Huron Consulting Group Inc. of Chicago. Huron is facing an investigation into accounting irregularities and numerous shareholder lawsuits...
"UW System $81 million project supported, despite consultant issues," WKOW-TV 27, Sept. 10.
A key UW Board of Regents committee voted to support an $81 million dollar computer overhaul to the UW system's payroll program, after the top executive with the project's chief consultant told members his firm's work was sound, despite a continuing federal investigation. A UW System official said the computer work will replace a more than thirty year old, outdated system for processing payroll and benefits, and is planned for completion in March 2012 after going through four phases of build out... Watch
"Regents talk to consulting firm about financial woes," Badger Herald, Sept. 11.
A group that was hired by the University of Wisconsin System to perform a multimillion dollar overhaul to the Human Resource payroll computer system, and which is currently under review by the Securities and Exchange Commission, presented its case at the UW System Board of Regents meeting Thursday...
"Regents to take up jobs, flu, IT project on Friday," WISC-TV 3 Channel 3000, Sept. 11.
University of Wisconsin System regents will discuss economic development, an expensive new payroll program and the H1N1 flu virus when they continue meeting on Friday in Whitewater. UW System President Kevin Reilly is expected to unveil recommendations from a task force he created to turn research on campuses into new, good-paying jobs...
"UW regents committee backs $81.4M payroll project," Associated Press, Sept. 11.
A committee of University of Wisconsin System regents approved plans Thursday for an $81.4 million payroll system despite concerns over the cost and uncertainty surrounding the consulting firm on the project...The committee conditioned its vote on the negotiation of additional safeguards in the contract with Huron Consulting Group Inc. of Chicago, which is helping implement the project...
"UW regents vote today on computer system," River Falls Journal, Sept. 11.
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents will vote today on a start-up plan for an $81 million computer system...
"UW Regents get assurances on troubled payroll project," Wisconsin Public Radio, Sept. 11.
The head of a Chicago consulting group assured the UW Board of Regents Thursday (9/10) that an accounting scandal won’t disrupt his company’s work in overhauling the UW System’s payroll project...
"Regents move forward with $81 million payroll system," Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 10.
A UW Board of Regents committee voted to move forward with plans to implement an $81 million payroll and benefits computer system, even as the lead contractor for the project is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Regents expressed some concern over the financial health of Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group at their meeting on the UW-Whitewater campus Thursday. But officials from the UW System assured the Regents that they will add safeguards to the contract with Huron, like provisions that would penalize the company for any gap in service...
"UW computer project heading to regents," Blog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 10.
A committee of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted Thursday to recommend approval of a new $81.4 million computer project that will manage the payroll and benefits system. The vote moves the issue to the full board for a vote Friday. After a presentation and discussion that lasted more than an hour, the committee recommended that final approval come with two conditions: that it be subject to continuing negotiations of a contract with the lead vendor, Huron Consulting Group, and that the board receive regular progress updates...
UW System
"Report: Open high-tech centers at 7 UW campuses," Associated Press, Sept. 11.
A new report says seven University of Wisconsin campuses should open cutting-edge research centers to help small businesses develop new technologies, train more students and create jobs.� The report comes from a task force appointed by UW System President Kevin Reilly in February to study how to have more success turning university research into economic development...
"Code Revisions a mixed bag for students, a wedge for UW System," Editorial, Advance-Titan, Sept. 10.
Student safety is balanced against potential double jeopardy for misconduct Recently the UW System conduct code was changed by the Board of Regents altering Chapters 17 and 18...
"UW employees found misusing state funds," Daily Cardinal, Sept. 11.
...The report found $52,463 in “excessive or unnecessary” purchases made in agencies statewide. According to UW System spokesperson David Giroux, UW System employees made 10 percent of the total irresponsible purchases...
On Campus
"It's his money," Editorial, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 11.
Michael Cudahy can do what he wants with his money. He's earned it, and he's earned the respect of the community for his generosity. But his tap dance in recent weeks with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is puzzling and disappointing. Cudahy now says he won't contribute toward the purchase of land at the Milwaukee County Grounds, where UWM has received approval from the County Board to build a new engineering school. It long had been assumed - especially by UWM officials - that Cudahy would be a primary benefactor. The business park the university wants to develop there was to be named after him...
"Donor pulls out of deal," Badger Herald, Sept. 11.
Philanthropist Michael Cudahy, who had discussed donating a large amount of money to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Engineering Research Park to be named after him, recently pulled out of the gift...
"Cudahy lays out restaurant plans," Business Journal of Milwaukee, Sept. 11.
Milwaukee philanthropist Michael Cudahy will open a family friendly, mid-price restaurant on the former Pieces of Eight site now that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has dropped plans to build a School of Freshwater Sciences there...
"UWM looks outside city for freshwater school," Business Journal of Milwaukee, Sept. 11.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee leaders are looking outside the city of Milwaukee to locate the future School of Freshwater Sciences, now that a 1.67-acre lakefront parcel next to Discovery World is no longer under consideration...
"UW-Madison takes steps to prevent massive outbreak of swine flu," Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 11.
...Furnished spartanly, but stocked with thermometers, cable TV and water bottles, UW-Madison has designated a handful of such rooms across campus in an attempt to avoid a massive outbreak of swine flu, or H1N1. College campuses are especially susceptible to such an outbreak...
"Shorewood parents fear impact of suspensions on students' college admissions," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 11.
The Shorewood High School students who are fighting suspensions for toilet papering the school grounds can expect that some colleges would consider the suspensions in weighing the students' applications...Tom Reason, acting admissions director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said UW System colleges do not ask applicants whether they have been suspended from school...
"UW-Stout gets $2.1 million donation," Leader-Telegram, Sept. 11.
UW-Stout has received $2.1 million from an alumni couple to establish an endowment for transformational leadership, Chancellor Charles Sorensen said Thursday...
"Biddy Martin: UW invites you to sift, winnow on food this fall," Column, Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 11.
A new initiative at UW-Madison is designed to make a larger point about what it means to engage in a process of integrated, rigorous and unfettered thinking. Starting this year, the university is choosing a book annually for a project titled Go Big Read, and asking the community - not only the university community, but also the broader one that extends well beyond the borders of campus - to read it and engage with one another. We are excited about the initiative, which is already under way... (Martin is chancellor at UW-Madison)
"Veterans Center opens at UW-Eau Claire," Leader-Telegram, Sept. 10.
...The center was established to provide a welcoming place and a meeting space on campus for the more than 300 veterans estimated to be attending UW-Eau Claire, along with faculty members who served in the U.S. armed forces...
"UW-Eau Claire opens a center for veterans on campus," WEAU 13, Sept. 11.
Associate Dean of Students Marc Goulet says the center will be a place where veterans can go to share stories, meet with support groups and use a tele-health network for medical assistance...
"Centennial Hall on track and on budget," Racquet, Sept. 10.
As students make their return to UW-L this semester, the familiar sights of Baird, Trowbridge, and Wilder Halls will be gone, replaced with a construction zone...With a 39 million dollar approved project total, Centennial Hall will be the first new academic building on campus since 1974...
"More work helps offset tuition hike at UW-Oshkosh," Wisconsin Public Radio, Sept. 11.
A University of Wisconsin campus has found a way to alleviate higher tuition rates for some students. UW-Oshkosh is using part of its "rainy day" fund to put more students to work...
"$500,000 to go toward student pay," Advance-Titan, Sept. 10.
Up to $500,000 in one-time funds will go toward on-campus student employment for this year, UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells announced Tuesday...
"UW-O sees big jump in enrollment," Advance-Titan, Sept. 10.
“In a time of economic uncertainty, it is a positive sign to see students investing in higher education,” UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells said when talking about the preliminary projected numbers for enrollment in the 2009-10 academic year at Oshkosh. “For our enrollment to grow so significantly during the last nine years is a testament to the value of Greater Wisconsin regional universities and UW-Oshkosh’s ability to continue to provide a quality, affordable, accessible education.”...
"Campus reacts to deaths of former UW-Platteville leaders," Exponent Online, Sept. 10.
Colleagues had kind words for former UW-Platteville Building and Grounds Superintendent Michael Udelhofen and former Chief of Campus Police Laurel Skrede, who died together in a motorcycle accident Aug. 23...
"Swine-flu symptoms confirmed in two UW-Platteville students," Exponent Online, Sept. 10.
Campus officials have confirmed that several UW-Platteville students are exhibiting symptoms of the H1N1 virus, but they stopped short of saying swine flu is here...
"H1N1 at UW," Wisconsin Radio Network, Sept. 10.
There are hundreds of potential swine flu cases on the UW-Madison campus. UW-Madison officials confirm the H1N1 flu virus is on campus. Yet they stress no one has been hospitalized. Student Stephanie Coleman was diagnosed with H1N1 in the spring and was told she has it again...
"New student e-help line launched at UW-Madison," Wisconsin Public Radio, Sept. 11.
A new online service at the UW-Madison lets students vent their personal problems...
"Van Galder to start double-decker bus service in Madison," Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 11.
Van Galder Bus Co. is starting double-decker bus service Thursday to serve growing demand for travel from Madison to downtown Chicago..."Basically we're trying to gear it up so we hit the students," Van Galder said. "At 2:30 in the afternoon, going in (to Chicago) is very heavy, and our 5 p.m. (trip) coming out of Chicago is our busiest one."...
"UW-Oshkosh Campus Services Center renovation, relocation complete," Northwestern, Sept. 10.
An abandoned "big box" building in Oshkosh has undergone a major renovation that has converted it into a state-of-the-art Campus Services Center for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's facilities management operations and postal and document services. The $6.2 million project paves the way for the University to begin construction on its new, state-of-the-art academic center, which will be located on the site of the former facilities management building...
"A Q&A with UW-Platteville's Student Senate president and vice president," Exponent Online, Sept. 10.
The Exponent sat down with Student Senate President Eli Caywood and Vice President Cody Camacho to talk personal history, future plans and what it's like to be in office...
"'Dogs face new opponent, team gets flu shots," Collegian Online, Sept. 11.
Whether you’re a player or a student, everyone needs to take precautions when dealing with the H1N1 virus, a Fresno State athletics official told The Collegian on Thursday. Bulldog football players and staff received flu shots Tuesday after the team’s upcoming opponent, the University of Wisconsin, reported that the majority of 200 students seeking medical attention on its campus had the H1N1 virus, according to media reports...
State
"Madison: the low-cost biotech alternative?," Capital Times, Sept. 10.
Wisconsin economic development gurus love to tout Madison as one of the world's rising biotech "hot spots." But Madison's biotechnology scene gets an unflattering mention in a new report detailed in the Scientist magazine - for having some of the lowest life sciences salaries in the nation...
"Forum plants ideas to grow," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 11.
Spurred by a report that says Wisconsin ranks among the bottom 10 states in creating well-paying jobs, a debate began to take shape Thursday over what to do about it...
"New report suggests Wisconsin's economy is failing ," Wisconsin Public Radio, Sept. 10.
A longtime executive and economic development expert will present a report Thursday detailing how Wisconsin’s economy is losing ground. He says economic data shows the state is lagging behind in wage and job growth, despite many state commissions and studies designed to do the opposite. The report called “Wisconsin Flunks it’s Economic Test” was co-authored by Tom Hefty, a retired CEO of Blue Cross Wisconsin and Serigraph Chairman John Torinus...
National
"Impact on the healthy," Inside Higher Ed, Sept. 11.
College students invariably share close quarters in dorm rooms, drink from the same cups at parties, cough and sneeze on each other while in class. Within days of the first reported fever, the football team’s front line, half a sorority and an entire hallway in a freshman dorm are all sick. In any other year, it would be the seasonal flu, which predictably rambles through North America between November and March. But this year it’s September, the virus is H1N1 influenza and, though symptoms seem mild, fears persist that it could become something worse...
"What price grad school at the U?," Minneapolis Star Tribune, Sept. 10.
Tuition for University of Minnesota graduate and professional students ranks in the middle to high range compared with the University of California-Berkeley, Penn State and other "peer" institutions. The price that in-state dentistry students pay tops the list. The average U medical student graduated with $137,268 in debt from that degree alone in 2008...