A University of Wisconsin-Platteville student was appointed to serve as a student member of the UW System Board of Regents this August by Gov. Scott Walker, after Walker rejected a candidate for his participation in the 2012 recall election. 

A new student representative appointed to the University of Wisconsin System’s governing body said he will advocate affordability in office and bring an agricultural student’s point of view to the body.

Chad Landes was appointed to replace UW-Madison student Katie Pointer, whose appointment expired in May. 

Landes said he is eager to begin his term on Sept. 5, and hopes to represent students and keep the education system as a place for learning potential and growth.
Landes will continue his studies in animal science at UW-Platteville and also serves as a volunteer snowmobile safety instructor. 

“Being nominated for the UW System Board of Regents is a great honor and we are proud that Chad Landes has been chosen to represent all the UW System students,” UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis J. Shields said in a statement. “He epitomizes the hands-on learning we stress at UW-Platteville and will be a fine representative to the Board of Regents.”

Landes added in a statement he is delighted to add an agricultural perspective to the board.

Landes said he is excited to be part of a council that had insight into the tuition freezes, budget and fiscal and operating policies and keeps the interest of UW students at heart. 

“High quality, affordability in education and the ability of students to get a job after graduation are high on the agenda,” Landes said in an interview with The Badger Herald. 

Landes commended Pointer for her work as a student regent. However, he declined to comment on the former candidate and fellow UW-Platteville student, Joshua Inglett. Walker’s administration dismissed Inglett after it was revealed he signed a recall petition for Walker.

Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, sent a letter to Walker after Inglett’s dismissal to show his outrage over the decision.

“I am outraged at the behavior of the governor’s office and I am disappointed for Joshua and his family,” Erpenbach said in the statement. “He is a bright, well-qualified individual. Exercising his right to sign a recall petition should not disqualify him from serving the people of this state.”

UW’s student government also shot back at Walker’s decision, and added its support for a bill introduced by Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, that would not allow Walker’s decision on the student regent to stand if approved. 

Risser introduced the bill in April to require the governor to appoint two student members to the Board of Regents from recommendations made by student government officials. The bill is currently in the Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.

“This bipartisan bill to accomplish this, SB 157, would change just one word in state law, mandating, rather than permitting, the Governor select a nominee from those already put forth by elected student government representatives,” Grace Bolt, Associated Students of Madison spokesperson, said in a statement.

Risser praised Walker’s pick of Landes as student regent, and said he was a “felicitous candidate,” who can speak to students’ issues other members of the board cannot understand. 

“[Landes] is an accomplished person, and his profile is well-appreciated in the media,” Risser said.