As we battle the cold weather and accumulating snow, spring semester is upon us. We are adjusting to new classes, new experiences and new opportunities. Through all of this, I can sense a buzz around campus regarding the New Badger Partnership and what it entails. I’d like to take a moment to throw my support behind this initiative.

The greatest thing about the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the engaged and knowledgeable student body on campus. Many of you have taken the initiative to learn as much as possible about the NBP and have become involved in conversations with administration, faculty and staff. This intellectual engagement is an important part of your Wisconsin Experience.

Part of being involved is being aware of what is happening with the state budget. We are at a critical point in the path of the university. As with other state entities, the university is problem solving by finding ways to work efficiently while still flourishing in our economic state. So what do you know about the New Badger Partnership?

Chancellor Martin presented the idea of the New Badger Partnership last semester, and it has gained quite a bit of attention across the campus and state. The NBP is a set of ideals – UW is asking for more flexibility in hiring and compensation, tuition, procurement and building and construction. How those flexibilities may be granted are at the discretion of Wisconsin policymakers, including the Board of Regents, the Department of Administration, the governor and Legislature. I believe in this initiative. It is a way that UW can continue to be at the forefront and produce the cutting-edge research and educational opportunities we provide on our campus. To accomplish this goal, we will need to do things differently than how they have been done in the past.

Do your part by learning about the NBP. Encourage each other to be informed. Go to the website http://newbadgerpartnership.wisc.edu, participate through ASM’s Shared Governance Committee on the NBP, discuss the concept with your peers, faculty and staff and educate yourselves. Quite simply: Take part in the discussion.

You are invited to attend campus forums that have been scheduled for March 1 and March 2 related to the NBP. The March 1 forum will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Plenary Room of Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave. The March 2 forum will be from 9-10:15 a.m. in Ebling Symposium Center on the first floor of the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Dr. Be an active consumer of knowledge and information. This affects you, as students, and I want you to understand what it is about and ask the questions you have.