September 12, 2005
REGENTS APPROVE UW SYSTEM EMPLOYMENT POLICY CHANGES, TUITION WAIVER FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
Last Friday, the Board of Regents voted to make changes to improve employment policies and practices of the University of Wisconsin System, and to uphold a freeze on the granting of new concurrent positions (back-up appointments) to certain individuals who accept administrative limited appointments. Additionally, the Regents approved a measure that requires UW System Administration, in consultation with UW institutions, to develop a revised sick leave policy by October 1, 2005 that specifies the time period after which a health professional’s certification for use of sick leave will be required. A copy of the resolution concerning employment policy changes made by the Regents can be found on page 74-75 at http://www.uwsa.edu/bor/agenda/full.pdf.
The Regents also approved a resolution to help college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In most cases, these students will enroll for the Fall 2005 semester as a class of students designated by the Board as “Hurricane Katrina Victims.” The Board directed UW System President Kevin Reilly and UW Regent President David Walsh to consult with legislative leadership and the Governor regarding options to reduce, not charge, or otherwise provide financial aid support for these students. A special meeting of the Board may be held after these consultations to establish a tuition rate for the “Hurricane Katrina Victims.” Additionally, the Legislature is working on legislation to aid these students. The details of their bill have yet to be worked out.
A summary of all Regent action at last Thursday and Friday’s meeting can be found at:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050908.htm (Thursday) and
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050909c.htm (Friday).
AUDIT COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON UW EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
The Joint Audit Committee has scheduled an informational hearing on UW System employment practices tomorrow, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. in room 411-South of the State Capitol. Testimony, which is limited to invited speakers only, will include a follow-up on information President Reilly sent to the Audit Committee co-chairs last Friday on the use of back-up appointments. This information is available at http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050902a.htm. Following the hearing, it is expected that the Committee will ask the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct an audit of UW employment practices. President Reilly has joined several legislators in asking the Audit Bureau to conduct such a review (see http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050823.htm for his request).
SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING SET
The Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the nomination of Tom Loftus to the UW System Board of Regents on Wednesday, September 21st, at 10:30 a.m. in room 300-Southeast of the Capitol. The Committee will also hear testimony on Senate Bill 279 which relates to creation of a college transfer program in certain Wisconsin Technical College districts.
In action last week, the Committee unanimously approved the appointments of Regents Michael J. Spector and Judith VanderMeulen Crain and Student Regent Christopher Semanas. The appointments will now be considered by the full Senate at a date to be scheduled.
BABLITCH TO SUCCEED MAROTTA AT DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that former Department of Corrections Secretary Stephen Bablitch will succeed Marc Marotta as Department of Administration Secretary. Marotta, who has been secretary since Doyle took office in 2003, has not yet announced what he will be doing when he leaves October 3rd but has indicated he will be active in Doyle’s re-election campaign.
Bablitch, in addition to serving as the first secretary of the Dept. of Corrections after being appointed by former Governor Thompson in 1987, is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Cobalt Corporation. A 1979 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, he received his undergraduate degree from UW-Madison in 1976. The Governor’s announcement is available at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Sept05/Sept12/0912govbablitch.pdf.
LEHMAN TO CHALLENGE STEPP Last week state Representative John Lehman (D-Racine) announced that he will be giving up his Assembly seat to challenge Senator Cathy Stepp (R-Sturtevant) in the November 2006 election. More information is available at http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=44070.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Bill 317 - Removing collective bargaining right for program, project and teaching assistants
Senator Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis) introduced legislation that would eliminate the rights of student assistants at UW System schools to self-organize into collective bargaining units and would eliminate any units already in place. The bill was referred to the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967