Amid divided opinions on the proposed New Badger Partnership on campus, UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin met with students and community members Friday to discuss their concerns about the proposal.
Some students said they were concerned the New Badger Partnership would be detrimental to other universities in the UW System. Martin said the proposal would help other schools and the state as a whole by allowing UW-Madison to uphold its excellence.
Brandi Growskowski-Durow, a mother of two UW-Madison students, said she does not think the proposal should be implemented during a time of political instability in the state and under Gov. Scott Walker.
Martin said that, while she agrees the timing of the proposal is unfortunate, a change in UW-Madison's structure needs to happen.
""I wish political time and university time were in sync, but they're not,"" Martin said.
Other members of the audience said rather than pushing for the proposal to pass, the chancellor should lead the state in demanding the governor ease budget cuts to the UW System. Martin said she has already unsuccessfully tried combating the state government to protect the system for cuts.
Some audience members said they were concerned the New Badger Partnership would increase tuition, making it more difficult for diverse students from lower-income families afford to attend UW-Madison. Martin said with or without the New Badger Partnership, a tuition increase is inevitable.
The chancellor also said the New Badger Partnership would benefit Wisconsin as a whole by helping the state's economy. She said for every dollar the state invests into UW-Madison, it receives about $20 to $30 in return.
""For Wisconsin to not have a world-class research university in this economy would be disastrous for the state,"" Martin said.
