UW System Clipsheet
November 25, 2009
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On Campus
"UC tuition hike draws attention to fiscal woes," Daily Cardinal, Nov. 24.
Because of financial pressures, the University of California Board of Regents approved a plan Thursday to raise tuition by 32 percent over the next year, the most drastic response yet to the recession by a state university system...State universities across the country have seen a decrease in state funding, including UW-Madison. However, because Wisconsin’s financial situation is not as severe as California’s, the effects have not been as great. “We have increased tuition by 5.5 percent for the last three years,” UW System spokesperson David Giroux said. “In this current downturn, we have been able to work with the state to avoid those kind of precipitous cuts and dramatic tuition increases”...
"150 students turn out to discuss diversity issues," Daily Cardinal, Nov. 24.
UW-Madison junior Marie Tapp only budgeted food for about 20 students when she pitched the idea of a diversity forum to her house fellow two weeks ago. Instead, about 150 students showed up at Smith Hall Monday night. Tapp said she intended the forum to address broad topics of race and diversity at UW-Madison, but articles published last week in The Daily Cardinal and The Badger Herald’s opinion sections brought out a larger and more energized crowd...
"Academic Initiatives vote: yes and yes," The Racquet, Nov. 24.
In Wednesday night's referendum, students voted in record numbers to continue and expand the Academic Initiatives programs. The first question asked whether students wanted to maintain current services under the programs, costing an additional $45 per year on top of the current $60 fee. The second asked students to approve an increase in those programs at an added cost of $15 per year, for a total increase from the current $60 to $120 per year...
"UW-Platteville interim chancellor announces retirement," Exponent Online, Nov. 25.
Interim Chancellor Carol Sue Butts announced her retirement on Nov. 24 in a press release sent out to UW-Platteville staff. According to the press release, Butts plans to retire August 2010, after what will have been 12 years of employment with UW-P. Butts served as provost and vice chancellor until 2009 when she was named interim chancellor after former Chancellor David Markee’s retirement...
"UW-Madison music instructor passes away," Wisconsin Public Radio, Nov. 24.
National Public Radio’s flagship program, All Things Considered, owes its sound to the late Don Voegeli. Voegeli – who passed away this Saturday in Middleton -- composed several versions of the program’s theme music while a music instructor at the UW-Madison...
State
"MATC names finalists for its presidency," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 24.
Three finalists for the presidency of Milwaukee Area Technical College were announced by the MATC District Board on Tuesday. The finalists, who have been invited to participate in public forums and interviews with the MATC District Board in December, are: Michael Burke, president of San Jose College in California...Algie Gatewood, president of Cascade Campus of Portland Community College in Oregon...Vicki Martin, interim president of Milwaukee Area Technical College...
"Looking past 2010, many districts see smaller graduating classes," Marshfield News-Herald, Nov. 25.
It's a reality school districts across Wisconsin are facing. For years they've been dealing with and anticipating a decline in enrollments and class sizes. Many districts are looking at the last large graduating class they'll have for some time. Lower enrollments means less state aid. So many districts must find ways to cope with less revenue, while maintaining the same costs...
National
"After media success, U. of California protesters look ahead," Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 24.
Even in this deficit-riddled state, the sheer size of the University of California's tuition increase last week was enough to spark a collective wave of anger and disbelief among many students, escalating protests that have been simmering throughout the system for months...By creating dramatic scenes of student anger and confrontation with police, the protesters succeeded brilliantly at drawing public attention to their cause. Images of protests were shown prominently on CNN and elsewhere, recalling for many the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s...
"Duncan warns colleges of limits to help from federal budget," Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 24.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is watching colleges struggle with tough economic conditions and wants them to know that the federal government is trying to help. But, Mr. Duncan said Tuesday, it can help only so much..."If at the end of the day they think they're going to be able to avoid making hard decisions, I think that's unrealistic," Mr. Duncan said...
"When to specialize?," Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 25.
The idea that a higher education is primarily about accumulating skills tends to gain currency in times like these, when students -- and, for those of traditional age, their anxious parents -- watch the ranks of the jobless grow steadily. The sort of exploration -- even dabbling -- in which many students have historically engaged may seem like a luxury in an era when vocational interests might seem to trump all others. The traditional argument against such an approach is that exposure to a broad array of subjects and educational approaches helps students develop as engaged, thoughtful citizens and in other important ways. But a new study suggests that giving students time to figure out their academic paths may actually result in their making better career choices, too...