Governor Jim Doyle vetoes a bill (Senate Bill 223) that requires members of the UW Board of Regents to come from all geographical areas of the state. Michael Moscicke (moh-SIHK-ee), government relations director with United Council of UW Students, is very disappointed.
The bill passed the legislature in November. It would have required that at least one member of the university’s governing board comes from each of seven regions of the state. Currently, 12 out of the 18 regents are from Dane or Milwaukee county.
In nixing the bill, Doyle says it would push board members to focus on regional issues, and would pit the 26 UW campuses against each other for funding, rather than considering the needs of the entire system. Moscicke disagrees.
Doyle also says the bill would reduce the Governor’s ability to pick the best candidates.
Moscicke says his council will continue to advocate for regional diversity on the UW Board of Regents to make sure the entire state is represented, not just a few communities.
The Governor of Wisconsin appoints Board members to seven-year terms, except the two student regents who are appointed to two-year terms.
Jackie Johnson 1:27