DOES THIS sound like UW "privatizing" "public" funding for AS WE WANT?

Issue: UW System Split and Budget Proposal - February, 2011

Public Policy Review: NEW Badger Partnership Proposal (February, 2011)
Area: University of Wisconsin System

MPA Rating: NO.
Because it allows the mission and purpose of creating the land grant universities/colleges in Wisconsin for the development of its Wisconsin citizenry to be compromised with too much of what we already see - greed, lack of transparency, lack of TRUST-CONFIDENCE, my way or the highway culture, Caucasians and/or well-off/class difference only need apply.

"We feel the thought is "over-reaching", not in line with boosting higher education for the American population for global competitiveness", said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association. "Myopic in thinking will cause for a deeper rut in our national economy. Asking those without to forget their education and technology attainment dreams. And, a slippery slope for discrimination and any-time-I-want-to misuse without recourse." "There are real points for digestion; however, the "absolutes" that do not allow the taxpayers and all Wisconsinites a shot in participating (other than tax dollars), makes the other agreeable items, NO GO."

What do you think?
See below.



Principles for the New Badger Partnership (NBP)

Governance
These principles are critical to maintaining a pre-eminent teaching and research enterprise at UW-Madison,allowing us to retain and enhance the diversity of the university community and to maintain high-quality higher education for the citizens of the state. The following are essential:

Shared governance, as articulated in Chapter 36.09 of the current state statutes, must be preserved.

University employees not covered by Chapter 36.09, including represented and non-represented classified staff, have the ability to advise the university administration.

Academic freedom must be protected.

Legislation that in any way infringes on the right of university faculty, staff and students to teach, conduct research or engage in service on topics of their own choosing is unacceptable.

Terms of faculty employment, including faculty control over hiring and tenure as articulated in Chapter 36.09(4) and 36.13 of the current state statutes, must be preserved.

Terms of academic staff employment, including appointments and procedural guarantees as stated in Chapter 36.09(4m) and 36.15, must be preserved.

Terms of student participation in governance, including consultation with the chancellor on disposition of segregated fees, as articulated in Chapter 36.09(5), must be preserved.

The existing right of university faculty, staff and student employees to be represented by unions must not be infringed.

All university employees must have the right to due process. Structures for external arbitration and external oversight for classified employees must be consistent with those articulated in Chapter 230.44 and Chapter 230 Subchapters III and IV.

Partnership agreements with private entities must protect the intellectual property rights of the university, and of university faculty, staff, and students. Such agreements must not infringe on academic freedom.

Finances

These are the core principles of financial flexibility:

Continued state funding of the state’s traditional share of cost-to-continue is essential to the existence and success of UW-Madison.

The university must be allowed to retain money saved, without threat of seizure, for its own purposes.

Higher education must be affordable and accessible to all the families of Wisconsin. The university must provide need-based financial aid, and provide it largely as grants in order that students of modest means in good academic standing may successfully complete their degrees in a timely manner.

Employee benefits currently provided by the state must continue to be available to eligible university employees. The university has the right to provide other benefits to any university employee.

The university will ensure fairness and equity in employment practices and salaries, including for instance prevailing wage for construction projects.

Internal University Processes for Deliberation on the New Badger Partnership
Proposals arising from the New Badger Partnership initiative will be vetted by appropriate university groups.

These groups will include, but are not limited to: University Academic Planning Council, school/college academic planning councils, University Committee, Faculty Senate, Academic Staff Executive Committee, Academic Staff Assembly, Associated Students of Madison, Council for Non-represented Classified Staff, and employee unions.

For more information, go to:
http://budget.wisc.edu/new-badger-partnership/public-authority-status/