OPINION & EDITORIAL
Direct election wrong for Board of Regents
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by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Monday, February 20, 2006
Recently, an idea was floated that would recommend a popular election to select members of the University of Wisconsin System's Board of Regents. Although such a concept could add much-needed public accountability to a university system seemingly lacking in such, it is simply not a realistic option.
In an era where the general public largely fails to sufficiently educate itself on matters as important as presidential and gubernatorial elections, it is hard to expect many Wisconsinites would take the time to learn about candidates for the Board of Regents, let alone vote in an election on the matter.
One can only imagine the absurd results of a popularly elected Board of Regents. Given the likely voter turnout, it would seem that any serious candidate, no matter how unqualified, could generate enough publicity to become a Regent. Further, direct elections might allow radical candidates with devoted followings to gain enough votes to win a seat on the Board.
In time, the Board of Regents could end up serving a purpose far from that for which it was created. And given the Board's ability to set tuition, select university chancellors and pick a university system president, it is scary to think of what could come of a popularly selected Board of Regents.
For these reasons, the direct election of regents is simply not feasible in Wisconsin.
The selection of regents is the perfect example of an instance in which representative democracy works better than direct democracy. Currently, members of the Board of Regents are nominated by the governor and approved by the state Legislature. We believe this method of appointment effectively encourages the promotion of qualified candidates while adequately satisfying the desires of the public.
It is in the best interest of the UW System and Wisconsinites alike to preserve the current method of selecting Regents.
