UW System Clipsheet

June 30, 2009

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UW System

"On Campus: University of Wisconsin System officials estimate $2.2 million cost for union negotiations, contract administration," Blog, Wisconsin State Journal, June 29. 

After years of trying, it is likely UW System employees will be allowed to form unions under the next state budget, but it won't come for free. UW System officials estimated that they would need to hire 32 staffers at a cost of $2.2 million annually to negotiate and administer collective bargaining agreements for UW faculty and academic staff, according to a May report by the state's Legislative Fiscal Bureau...

"U. of Wisconsin academics win collective-bargaining rights," Blog, Chronicle of Higher Education, June 30.

More than 20,000 academic employees in the University of Wisconsin system have collective-bargaining rights now that the state’s new budget has been signed into law. Those covered include tenured and tenure-track faculty members, part-time and full-time lecturers, and adjuncts, among others...

On Campus

"Wisconsin law schools offer helping hand to unemployed graduates," Wisconsin Law Journal, June 29.

...In fact, Jane Heymann, Assistant Dean for Career Services at UW Law School, estimated that as many as half of this year's 240 graduates could still be without jobs in the legal profession...Given the discouraging numbers, both law schools have been offering increased job resources to new graduates and alumni laid off due to the recession...

"On Campus: Legislators protest University of Wisconsin-Madison student fees decision," Blog, Wisconsin State Journal, June 29.   

While Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed items in the state budget, at least one legislator was protesting a university decision to deny a UW-Madison student group funding.  Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, a group that advocates for smaller government to solve environmental problems, was denied funding last year by a UW-Madison student government committee in charge of doling out student fees.  They were one of a number of groups -- including Vets for Vets, Engineers Without Borders, the Legal Information Center, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council -- that lost funding last year because of stricter criteria...

"CFACT may sue UW if its funding isn’t restored," Badger Herald, June 29.

A conservative college group is threatening to sue the University of Wisconsin-Madison, claiming the school wiped out its funding as retaliation against its stance on global warming and other issues. Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, or CFACT, promotes the idea that environmental issues are better handled by the free market, not by government interference...

"UW Hillel's new facility opens its doors to campus and community fall 2009," Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, June 30.

The UW Hillel Foundation has moved to its new home located at 611 Langdon Street in the heart of the UW Madison campus. Named after a longtime leader and activist for Jewish causes, The Barbara Hochberg Center for Jewish Student Life offers updated and environmentally-friendly amenities to UW-Madison students, faculty, and the community at large...

"UWM's vice chancellor for student affairs let go," Blog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 29.   

Helen Mamarchev has been let go as vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for undisclosed reasons, a university official said. Mamarchev left her position at the university on Thursday after Chancellor Carlos Santiago decided it was in the best interest of the university not to renew her contract, UWM spokesman Tom Luljak said...

State

"Culture of investment thriving in Wisconsin," New Brunswick  Business Journal, June 30.

New Brunswick has found a model for promoting entrepreneurship in a U.S. state whose economy has traditionally relied on farming, mining and forestry...Wisconsin's love affair with startups and investors - which has transcended the business community and made its way to the state legislature - has had the New Brunswick Securities Commission and other interested parties playing copycat...Meanwhile, the university-led movement to commercialize research and development is encouraging startups to form. Mike Helfman's Bubble Springs Solar got off the ground with the help of a business incubator run by the Stout Technology Transfer Institute on the University of Wisconsin's Stout campus...

"Some illegal immigrants will be able to get in-state tuition," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 29. 

Some illegal immigrant high school graduates will be able to attend Wisconsin state universities by paying in-state tuition, under a provision in the two-year budget Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Monday. Wisconsin now becomes the 11th state to enact such a law. To qualify, students would have to reside in the state for three years, graduate from a Wisconsin high school or earn an equivalency degree here...

National

"New plan ties reduced college loan payments to income," New York Times, June 29.   

For the first time in years, there is good news for college students who borrow to pay for their education. Starting Wednesday, the federal Education Department will begin offering a repayment plan that lets graduates reduce their loan payments, based on their income...

"Higher education experts are relieved at Supreme Court ruling on employment tests," Chronicle of Higher Education, June 30.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Monday in a case involving the use of race in hiring could affect city and state governments seeking to diversify their work forces, but it is not expected to cause major ripples in colleges' hiring or admissions processes -- a prospect some higher-education experts had feared... (paid subscription required)

"U. of I. admissions system changed in 2002, former employee says," Chicago Tribune, June 30.   

The University of Illinois formalized its system for tracking clouted applicants after an unqualified student with ties to ex-Gov. Jim Thompson was rejected, angering a top administrator who reversed the decision, a former admissions worker testified Monday...