In an attempt to reap the benefits of current national interest in UW-Madison's biotechnology efforts, the state Senate committee on Economic Development and Corrections passed legislation Monday that would accelerate state spending on the BioStar Initiative.
According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, the proposal will assist Wisconsin in its transition toward a new economy.
\The work of [UW-Madison] Professor James Thompson and his research team on embryonic stem cell research ... has drawn national attention ... to our state's university system,"" Chvala said in a statement. ""In tight fiscal times, we have to capitalize on the advantages we have.""
Originally, the BioStar initiative was a public-private partnership to provide $317 million in venture capital for UW-Madison's biology-oriented departments by 2009.
But the current proposal would increase the amount the university receives from the state between the years 2003 and 2005 by $32 million. Subsequent additions would decrease the time UW-Madison waits for the total funding by two years.
The increase in spending limits will allow the university to build both microbiology and biological chemistry complexes at least a year ahead of their proposed 2005 and 2007 construction dates, said UW-Madison Vice Chancellor John Torphy.
""It will help us to attract, retain and recruit faculty if these buildings get built faster,"" he said.
In other Senate activity, students are a step closer to obtaining a more influential voice on the UW System Board of Regents after the Senate Committee on Universities, Housing and Government Operations approved Monday a bill that provides for an additional student seat on the 17-member board.
The proposed bill would make the 18th regent a student who is at least 24 years old and who ""represents the views of nontraditional students, such as those who are employed or are parents.""
Sen. David Hansen, D-Green Bay, said it is pertinent for students to be able to express their opinions.
""I very much support the students on this,"" he said. ""I just think it's the right thing to do.""
The bill passed along party lines 4-3, with the Republican minority objecting to a feature in the bill that would require the governor to pick the student regent from a list prepared by the student population.
Members of the committee said they feared that the same process would be transferred to higher level committees within the state and bind the governor's freedom of choice.
UW-Madison freshman Austin Evans of the Associated Students of Madison testified at the open hearing in support of the bill, but said he understood the concerns that were raised.
""I think their point is valid, but I think they have to remember that this is only for the students,"" he said.
