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Controversial Funding Approval by University of Wisconsin Regents Sparks Concerns Over Alleged Compromise on Minority and LGBTQ+ Rights 2024-11-08 13:12:31

Madison, Wis. — In a surprising turn of events, the University of Wisconsin regents have given the green light to a funding deal with Republican legislators, sparking controversy over the perceived sacrifice of diversity positions across the system's two dozen campuses in exchange for financial support for staff raises and construction projects. The deal, brokered by Assembly Republican Speaker Robin Vos and Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, is framed by Vos as a crucial step in an ongoing GOP initiative to eradicate what he calls "cancerous DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices on UW campuses."

Wednesday evening's approval drew swift criticism from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who expressed disappointment and frustration in a lengthy statement following the vote. Evers accused Vos of employing bullying tactics during negotiations, attributing the entire episode to a broader disdain for public education "at every level." The governor vowed to ensure that UW campuses remain inclusive, asserting that the Republican-backed decision "represents a vast overreach" in the Legislature, according to CBS Madison affiliate WISC-TV.

The contentious approval, passed with an 11-6 vote during a video conference, marked the end of a tumultuous five-day saga. The regents had initially rejected the deal in a narrow 9-8 vote on Saturday, facing opposition from Democrats who argued that it would compromise the rights of minority and LGBTQ+ students and faculty.

A closed-door meeting on Tuesday, led by President Rothman, played a pivotal role in swaying three regents who had initially opposed the proposal. Karen Walsh, Amy Blumenfeld Bogost, and Jennifer Staton, all of whom voted against the deal on Saturday, changed their stance, citing the need for additional deliberation. Walsh explained, "So why are we voting again? It was clear last Saturday that the board did not have sufficient time to discuss this document."

Amid the controversy, Republican Chris Kapenga, the president of the state Senate, issued a threat to withhold confirmation for regents who voted against the deal. Notably, Bogost is the sole unconfirmed regent among those who reversed their positions.

Regents who maintained their opposition expressed concerns about making financial decisions outside the state budget process, warning of a potentially dangerous precedent. They raised questions about what concessions Republicans might demand in the future in exchange for funding support. The episode has ignited debates about the intersection of financial decisions and institutional principles within the university system.

"The foundational premise of this agreement is fundamentally flawed," remarked Angela Adams, a dissenting voice that stood against the plan twice. "I did not join this board to become entangled in political maneuvering. Upholding DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) on campus should not, in my opinion, be subject to exchange for financial gain."

Advocates of the deal insist that campuses will persist in their commitment to promoting diversity, emphasizing the necessity of financial resources for the system's progress and the continual provision of opportunities for students. "Politics is the mechanism by which decisions are made, unless we prefer tyranny," asserted Bob Atwell, a supporter of the deal who cast affirmative votes on both Saturday and Wednesday.

The state budget, approved by Republicans and signed by Governor Evers last summer, mandated a 6% raise for approximately 34,000 university employees over the next two years. However, Speaker Vos withheld approval from the GOP-controlled Legislature's employment committee to release the funds, leveraging this decision to pressure the regents into reducing positions dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion projects. Vos contends that such initiatives only foster division, reflecting a larger cultural clash over college diversity initiatives occurring nationwide.

Governor Evers, critical of Vos and Republicans for withholding funding for raises, took legal action by filing a lawsuit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court in October, arguing that lawmakers had exceeded their authority by blocking the funds. The dispute underscores the broader cultural battle over college diversity initiatives playing out across the country.

Chancellors, speaking before the decisive vote on Wednesday, expressed confidence in their campuses' ability to continue efforts to make underrepresented students—racial minorities, low-income families, LGBTQ students, and veterans—feel welcome, even with a reduction in positions formally dedicated to DEI. "We must continue to press forward, and we can make this work," affirmed UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King. However, other campus leaders voiced concerns that rejecting the deal might embolden the GOP-controlled Legislature to pursue deeper cuts. "For example, some could say, 'If they don't need these funds for raises or buildings or operations, what else can be reduced?'" warned UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone.

The Associated Students of Madison, the student government group at UW-Madison, expressed dismay at the Wednesday vote and pledged to hold UW officials accountable for their assurances that diversity efforts would persevere.

The approved deal by the regents entails the release of funds by lawmakers for salary raises and various campus construction initiatives, notably earmarking $200 million for a new engineering facility at the flagship campus in Madison. In reciprocation, the regents commit to a freeze on hiring for diversity positions until 2026, with a directive to repurpose at least 43 existing diversity roles towards a "student success" focus. Additionally, campuses are mandated to omit statements supporting diversity on student applications. UW-Madison faces the discontinuation of an affirmative action faculty hiring program and the establishment of an unspecified position dedicated to conservative thought.

Speaking to reporters post-vote, President Rothman justified the deal as a necessary compromise in a politically divided state, with a Republican-controlled Legislature and a Democratic governor. "We live in a political environment," Rothman remarked. "It is not shocking to say we live in a polarized state. ... In that context, if you're going to move forward, if you're going to make progress, you have to find a way forward to find compromise. And I think that's what we did in this process."

Throughout Wednesday, Democrats actively sought to dissuade regents from endorsing the deal once again. State Rep. Dora Drake, chair of the Legislature's Black Caucus, strongly criticized the plan in a news conference at the state Capitol, branding it as a "systematic racist deal" that is inherently discriminatory towards students, faculty, and staff of color. Drake cited a memo from the Legislature's attorneys suggesting that the regents' closed-door meeting on Tuesday may have violated the state's open meetings law due to a vague meeting notice. She called upon Attorney General Josh Kaul and District Attorney Ismael Ozanne to investigate.

Despite these calls for scrutiny, there has been no response from Kaul's spokesperson, Gillian Drummond, or from Ozanne. State Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly, also a regent by virtue of her position, did not participate in the vote on Saturday or Wednesday, reportedly vacationing in Europe with her elderly mother. Underly requested the regents to reschedule the vote, citing unreliable internet service, but her request was not accommodated, and she did not appear on the video conference.

Bogost made a virtual appearance from Thailand, adding an international dimension to the proceedings, while UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter joined the video conference from an undisclosed airport location, leaving her whereabouts shrouded in mystery.

In conclusion, the University of Wisconsin regents' approval of the controversial funding deal with Republican legislators has ignited a fierce debate over the perceived trade-off between financial considerations and commitments to diversity and inclusion. The compromise, marked by freezes on hiring for diversity positions, shifts in role focus, and mandated changes to campus application statements, underscores the challenges faced in navigating the intersection of politics and higher education. President Rothman defended the deal as a necessary concession in a politically polarized state, emphasizing the imperative to find common ground for progress. However, the dissenting voices, including State Rep. Dora Drake, argue that the agreement perpetuates systemic issues and discrimination against marginalized communities. The lingering questions about the legality of closed-door meetings and the absence of Superintendent Jill Underly's vote further add complexity to the unfolding narrative. As the university system grapples with these contentious decisions, the broader cultural battle over diversity initiatives within academia continues to play out against the backdrop of a divided political landscape.

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