The Joint Finance Committee moved to restore $50 million Friday to the proposed $300 million cuts to the University of Wisconsin System over the next two years, lowering total cuts to the system to $250 million.
The GOP motion also erased language from Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget to turn the UW System into a “public authority,” giving it more autonomy from the state Legislature. The system would remain a state agency.
Friday’s motion asserts that the Board of Regents “may lay off or terminate a tenured faculty member… When action is deemed necessary.” This language would essentially eliminate tenure for faculty in the state statute.
The revisions would also modify shared governance in state law. The motion deletes current law specifying that faculty, academic staff and students be “active participants in the immediate governance of and policy development” of each campus. UW officials have said they plan to keep shared governance policies as they are, regardless of state law.
Board of Regents tackles public authority, looks to protect shared governance, tenure
UW System President Ray Cross said in March he would resign from his position if he is unable to make a substantial reduction in the proposed cuts and protect tenure, shared governance and academic freedom for UW campuses.
UW System president says he’d resign if cuts don’t go down, shared governance is removed
The motion keeps in tact Walker’s recommendation to freeze tuition for in-state residents until at least 2017. Nonresident students would see significant tuition increases over the next three years.
UW-Madison’s out-of-state tuition will increase by $10,000 over next four years
Walker’s recommendation to delete funding, position and related language for a variety of environmental projects, including the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative also go untouched.
Walker wants to eliminate funding for UW renewable energy program
The committee — which has a Republican majority — will vote on the omnibus motion Friday. The general Legislature will then move to vote on the revised budget, which will finally go to Walker’s desk before it is passed into law.
