Results by Google

Doyle Outlines Future UW, Education Initiatives

UW Funding At Center Of Governor's Thoughts

Updated: 3:15 pm CST December 18, 2007

With the year coming to an end, Gov. Jim Doyle is talking about the University of Wisconsin's future, among other things.

VIDEO: Watch The Report

It is a happy holiday season in the governor's mansion after 2007 brought some of Doyle's long sought-after initiatives to fruition. Doyle said during an interivew on Monday with WISC-TV that Wisconsin education was one of the biggest boosts of the year.

"We've worked hard on the Wisconsin Covenant, which is our promise to eighth-graders that if they finish high school, maintain a B average, are good citizens and take the classes that they need for college, that college will be part of their future," said Doyle.

For some, that future will include financial aid -- which could be important if the UW's Board of Regents votes to hike tuition.

UW-Madison is currently near the bottom of the Big 10 in cost, but Provost Pat Farrell said he believes getting closer to the Big 10 average would make the school more competitive.

Doyle said that he disagrees.

"To say that we should be becoming one of the top tuition universities is not the right direction for us to go," said Doyle. "That means the state has to be giving significant support to the university."

Experts said support is also needed in order to get a quality new chancellor.

"This seems like the right time to have a transition, and so that's what I'm announcing today," said John Wiley, who announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down as chancellor next year.

Discussion has begun about both Wiley's replacement and their salary needs, which some experts say is already under par.

"I do understand you live in the real world and the real world means that you have to pay for a really good chancellor -- you're going to have to pay a significant salary," said Doyle. "The real world means the cost of education is going up and we have to deal with all of those (issues)."

The state has also invested $50 million in the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery under Doyle's 2007 plan, part of which will study controversial embryonic stem cells.

"To me, this has always been about letting science go where it goes and the most recent breakthroughs demonstrate that if you let science take the direction, go where science leads you you'll go to some pretty amazing places," said Doyle.

The governor said Monday's passing of the UW Growth Agenda in this biennial budget is one of the biggest investments in the university in nearly 15 years. He said he believes it will be on track with the number of new jobs it can create and the amount of financial aid provided to students.
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More Details
Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More Details
Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More Details
Find out exactly what Medicare covers with our easy-to-use Medicare coverage tool. More Details
Advertise With Us Advertise With Us

Survey

Are you worried about H1N1 this flu season?