A panel of legislators and others making a list of recommendations regarding the future of the Universities of Wisconsin (UW) said the Legislature should consider splitting UW–Madison from the system’s other universities, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The panel is made up of 18 legislators, business owners, UW Board of Regents representatives, and UW faculty and staff, most of whom are concerned that the issues facing the 12 other UW campuses could be holding back UW–Madison. That includes UW–Milwaukee, another research university.
The panel’s proposal would see UW–Madison spun off from the remainder of UW, with its own governing board (similar to the current Board of Regents), its own state funding from the Legislature, and potentially the authority to take on debt to construct and renovate facilities.
UW–Madison is currently the only Big Ten university with no bonding authority and must go to the Legislature for approval to borrow money for building, whether taxpayers or revenues from departments like its athletics or housing departments will ultimately provide the funds.
UW–Madison and UW leaders have voiced objections to the proposal.
