The University of Wisconsin System is a vitally important component of state government. The mission of this higher education institution is documented in many places including the state’s historical development, the statutes and its traditional role as positive irritant in the political and social debate of the people.
There has always been friction between the UW System, particularly UW-Madison, and the elected leadership of Wisconsin. The political battles of recent years are nothing new in the long history of UW-Madison as positive irritant. However, the new kink in the thorny relationship between the two ends of State Street is the lack of viewpoint diversity that has corrupted the basic principles of “sifting and winnowing” within UW-Madison.
At one time, the UW System was clearly more diverse in its viewpoints than the rest of Wisconsin. However, those days of balance on campus have now been replaced by a liberal theology that has no room for independent or conservative ideas. This liberal theology has begun to transform the educational process — particularly at UW-Madison. The use of political correctness as an official tool to stifle independent or conservative debate and speech at UW-Madison is well documented.
Unfortunately, liberal leaders in the Capitol and the UW System have intentionally redirected the system away from its historical role in developing public policy proposals and instead now view the UW System (particularly UW-Madison) as a state-funded tool to be used in partisan political fights. This improper role for the UW System and the well-documented mismanagement of the system in recent years has combined to create a terrible storm in terms of the governance relationship between the two ends of State Street.
Recently, it was uncovered by the Associated Press that Gov. Jim Doyle conducted somewhat secretive interviews with the four finalists for the chancellor position at UW-Madison. Doyle’s appointees on the UW System Board of Regents have defended his direct participation in the hiring process, but neither the governor’s office nor officials within the UW System ever made his interviews public on their own accord. Why?
Let’s reverse this episode. If former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson had done the same, what would have been the response on campus? The detonation of liberals at UW-Madison would have been greater than a nuclear explosion. If it is OK for the governor to participate in UW System hiring decisions, why has it been labeled improper when Republican legislators have called for the dismissal of UW officials involved in scandal or serious mismanagement?
Again, the UW System’s imbalance in viewpoint acceptance means it’s proper for a Democratic governor to help hire UW employees but improper for Republicans to publicly register their views on the scandalous behavior of some UW employees. Even worse is the open hostility towards citizens who might register opinions in opposition to the UW.
Far too often, we have been treated to the condescending ivory tower elitism that has questioned the general intelligence of the taxpayers of this state. One only needs to review the open hostility from UW folks when the people of Wisconsin voted to adopt the Marriage Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution. Even though 60 percent voted to reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage, some in the UW System continue to view this ratification as an act of premeditated discrimination. Why are they so incensed with the people making the final decision?
In the last couple of days, the people of Wisconsin were treated to a tantrum from outgoing Chancellor John Wiley alleging that the people’s desire to pay less in taxes was starving the public sector, especially UW-Madison. Starving the public sector?
This is somewhat amusing because Wiley benefited from public housing during his tenure and now departs to his luxurious downtown Madison condo valued at more than $890,000. How many starved public sector employees do you know who can so hypocritically chastise taxpayers and still make payments on a condo worth nearly $1 million?
Believe it or not, I believe the governance relationship between the UW and the Legislature can improve if there is a real commitment to return the system to its role as a nonpartisan agency of state government with the primary duty of higher education. The people of Wisconsin want the UW System to educate, not indoctrinate. The ability for change in the relationship rests in the hands of those leading the UW System.
Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, is the chairman of the Committee on Colleges and Universities in the Wisconsin State Assembly.