A search committee is recommending that Cornell University Provost Dr. Carolyn "Biddy" Martin begin leading the UW-Madison this September, when current Chancellor John Wiley steps down after seven years in the position. Martin says she's eager to get started working with the faculty, students, and the community surrounding the UW.
Martin has served as the chief academic and operating officer at Cornell since 2000. She received her doctorate in German Literature at the UW-Madison in 1985. If confirmed, Martin would be the first outside candidate to head the university in nearly 20 years, a fact she says should give her a fresh perspective on the problems and challenges facing the university.
Among those challenges Martin wants to address are rising tuition costs, faculty salary shortfalls, and translating research work done at the university into the classroom. She also would like to continue a push from the UW-system to establish domestic partner benefits for faculty and staff.
Martin's appointment still needs to be confirmed by the UW Board of Regents, which will take up the question next month. Her salary will not be set until the Board approves her hiring, but will fall in a range between $370,000 and $452,000.