A state legislative leader is critical of UW-Madison faculty members who want a vote of no confidence on UW System leadership. “This faculty group seems to be having a hissy fit over some pretty minor charges, which bring us in line with most of the nation’s universities, and do very little to chang the overall idea of tenure,” said Assembly Majority Leader, Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)
The resolution says faculty have no confidence in leadership because of Regents approval of new tenure policies that dilute faculty protections from layoffs. Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank has warned a vote on the resolution could prompt a backlash from legislators.
“Contrary to what Chancellor Blank intimated, the legislature would not retaliate based on this action,” Steineke said. “However, it would go to show exactly why some changes were necessary.”
In March, the Regents approved controversial changes to the system tenure and layoff policies, even though faculty members have warned that it could make it harder to recruit or attract top talent to institutions statewide.
“This (resolution) doesn’t reflect well on the university at all, doesn’t reflect on the faculty, does nothing to further the reputation of the campus,” Steineke said.