The new chair of the Assembly committee that oversees higher education looks for a working relationship with the UW System. Whitewater Republican, Representative Steve Nass is tapped to chair the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities. Nass says while he's been described as a critic of the UW, he's only sought accountability from the university. "I would expect and hope for a working relationship with the university," said Nass. "And, where we see some flaws, correct them . . and make the university system the star it should be."
But a Madison Democrat who served on the committee with Nass last session says GOP Assembly leadership has chosen "the chief antagonist" of the UW in picking Nass to chair the committee. "You can't help but feel that he's looking for every chance he can to take a shot at the university, and keep shooting," says Representative Spencer Black , adding that the selection of Nass apparently signals "an adverse relationship" between the legislature and the university. But Nass says he's looking forward to constructive dialogue with System President Kevin Reilly, UW Madison Chancellor John Wiley, and the Board of Regents.