UW-Madison Anthropology Professor Sharon Hutchinson sent in her letter of retirement to the university Feb. 20 in response to Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill.
Hutchinson, who has worked at UW-Madison for 21 years, said she was concerned if the bill passes there would be no opportunity for faculty to resign before the bill affected their benefits.
""Maybe I didn't need to jump, but I won't know that until much later. My concern was that there will be no window allowed for people to actually make an informed decision,"" Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said the redefinition of the term ""emergency"" in the bill would allow for the firing of anyone who walks out, holds a strike or calls in sick.
""I find the clauses so depressing and threatening that I decided that it's impossible to determine, it's just too tense for me, and I know of no other way to protect myself for sure,"" Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said she will finish out the semester teaching courses for no pay and said she is sad to leave the university.
""I am deeply, deeply saddened, because Wisconsin is a wonderful place. There are all sorts of wonderful people who try to be very civil people and want everyone to have a good day,"" Hutchinson said. ""The discourse that is developing that is trying to divide people against each other is truly disheartening. But I'm hopeful and I'm sure the Wisconsin spirit of community, of empathy, of sanity will resurface.""
Hutchinson emphasized her decision was a personal one, and that she does not advocate it for other faculty.
The Department of Anthropology did not immediately respond for comment.
