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UW critics must avoid attacks

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by Mike Hahn

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

I was reading the Wisconsin State Journal this weekend, and a column by Scott Milfred caught my attention. In the column, he argues that Republican legislators must be careful when criticizing the University of Wisconsin because Bucky will bite back.

As proof of such a startling revelation, he cites political contributions by professors to candidates over the last few elections. Unsurprisingly, more than 95 percent of the money contributed by UW professors was given to Democrats. Now, according to Milfred, this is all due to criticism from Republicans like Steve Nass, Frank Lasee and Glenn Grothman.

Not really. While critical comments from Republican lawmakers may indeed anger or annoy professors and UW administrators, I have a very hard time believing that highly educated professionals would be that easily swayed by political rhetoric.

We all know that most of our professors, whether they show it in class or not, are liberal. Is it any wonder that they contribute money to Democrats running for political office?

Despite the fact that Mr. Milfred's column is painfully unoriginal, there is a point that can be made. Republicans have to be careful when criticizing the UW System — but not because it will lead to more money going to Democrats.

For all the problems that we have in the UW System, whether it is wasteful spending on bloated administrative costs, fantasy baseball studies or hiring a crazy person in the form of Kevin Barrett to teach religious studies, there is an awful lot that we as a state need to be proud of at UW.

The UW System is the envy of the nation when it comes to a statewide system of higher education. Our professors, by and large, are among the best in the nation. As a medical research institution, very few universities in the world can even come close to us.

When we do criticize the UW System, it must be done in a way that is focused and disciplined. During the Kevin Barrett fiasco, there was never a shortage of critics who were calling for his firing and the dismissal of top administrators. However, lost amid all the political posturing and rhetoric is the fact that every time Mr. Barrett was mentioned on The O'Reilly Factor or Hannity & Colmes, UW seemed to become a laughingstock.

In our rush to denounce the people responsible for bringing Mr. Barrett to the university, we failed to make the distinction between the world-class group of professors that we have and Mr. Barrett himself. As a result, it looked as though Republicans and conservatives were just looking for an excuse to bash the university.

More recently, we apparently have the problem of too many lawyers in the state of Wisconsin. That was the justification used by Rep. Frank Lasee when he inserted a measure into the state budget that cut funding to the UW Law School. Now, there are probably areas where the Law School wastes money, there are almost always places to cut spending when a large government bureaucracy exists, but to make such a flippant and off-handed justification like that is irresponsible.

Rather than seriously debating the UW System's budget, Republicans were forced to spend time defending the remarks and the cuts. There are very good reasons to slow the increase of spending on the UW, but none of them see the light of day when careless, inflammatory comments are made.

It is not that Republicans don't make valid criticisms of the UW System; it is instead the fact that too often only the outrageous and controversial statements are heard. When justifying less spending than Democrats want on the UW System, it is more important to stay focused on where money is going or how much is being wasted that is important — not grabbing headlines by trying to see who can throw the biggest grenade.

Mike Hahn (mhahn@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in history and political science.

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Anonymous (September 18, 2007 @ 3:59am):

Mike- This has to by far the dumbest article ever. You aren't even making any point. UW is one of the least top heavy public institutions in the country. Why are you so stupid? How are you a senior? Did you just sit down at your computer and say to yourself, "well, I guess I got to write something so I why not talk out of my ass, no one reads the opinion sections anyways".

Anonymous (September 18, 2007 @ 11:07am):

I think you make a good point, but I don't see any valid criticisms of the UW System coming from anywhere. That's why people like Lasee, Nass, and Grothman take center stage with their inflammatory comments.

When state supported hasn't even remained consistent with the level of inflation, and the university is increasingly becoming more of a research institution, these types of cuts just can't happen.

Ryan Stibbe (September 18, 2007 @ 1:04pm):

Round of applause to Mike. Also to 11:07.

Anonymous (September 20, 2007 @ 10:34am):

Mike, you have a big fat head full of hot air

Anonymous (September 27, 2007 @ 11:01pm):

This is BS. In the last 2 years UW has been so corrupt it boogles the mind. UW-Madison needs a new chancellor ASAP.

Shawn Snyder (June 10, 2008 @ 9:22am):

11:01, careful what you wish for. Ha! A women's studies for our new chancellor, what a joke. now I'm sure UW is in trouble, as if an inability to stop wasteful spending and stay within budget wasn't enough.

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