Letter from Rep. Knudson: The UW system split not ready for Budget

• Rep. Knudson

Rep. Knudson

Talk about it

Representative Dean Knudson (R-Hudson), Vice-Chair of the Colleges and Universities Committee, met Wednesday with other legislators to express his opinion that, despite UW-Madison’s request for autonomy as a public authority, a spin off from the UW-System was not fit for the current budget.

“Many of UW-Madison’s objectives may be accomplished by statute without granting public authority,” stated Knudson. “Many of the flexibilities sought may be achieved by statute while maintaining legislative oversight.”

Knudson has been actively working on the proposed UW-System split since before the Governor’s budget proposal. Knudson has met with UW-River Falls Chancellor Dean Van Galen, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin, and UW-System President Kevin Reilly, as well as state attorneys from legislative council to analyze solutions to public higher education reform in Wisconsin. UW-Madison has argued that a split from the UW-System and freedom as a public authority is needed to continue to compete as a top university on the national level. UW-System has firmly opposed a break with its flagship campus and has instead pushed for flexibilities for all state colleges and universities.

“Changes that will benefit all of our universities including UW-River Falls can be included in the budget,” Knudson said. “UW-Madison is a unique institution that will require unique flexibilities to allow for growth and expansion as a top public university.”

While the UW-Madison spin off will not be in the budget, Representative Knudson will continue work to reform the public higher education system.

Knudson emphasized, “I am committed to working on UW-System reform to provide quality education and cutting edge research to support the creation of jobs and the success of Wisconsin’s economy.”

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