After hours of deliberation, amendments and compromise, Faculty Senate members passed a motion stating they support the New Badger Partnership at their meeting Wednesday.
The motion was a compromise between NBP supporters and skeptics. It said the senate would lobby for the NBP, but if the NBP is not included in legislation or it does not seem financially feasible after further consultation, they will use other means to achieve flexibility.
The senate passed a separate motion detailing desired flexibilities for UW-Madison. The flexibilities include UW-Madison's authority to manage personnel, money and tuition levels.
Judith Burstyn, chair of the University Committee at UW-Madison, said she was pleased with the outcome.
""Firstly, getting the flexibilities passed independently I think was very useful; and secondly, the ultimate outcome allowed everyone to come out feeling good,"" Burstyn said.
Some members did not outwardly oppose the NBP, but said the university should use its resources to find the best method to achieve the flexibilities. They said the NBP is not necessarily the best model to ensure future success.
Others said they were concerned the NBP could make UW-Madison look elitist, furthering tension between the university and other UW System schools.
Some supporters of the NBP, however, said UW-Madison is elite, and many students attend other UW System schools with the goal of transferring to UW-Madison.
""This university serves the state to a much greater extent than any other of the UW system schools,"" Faculty Senate member Nathan Grant said. ""I don't think we need to apologize for the fact that we stand for the very best of Wisconsin and the United States' education.""
Furthermore, the senate's failure to take an official stance on the NBP would seem like an opposition to Chancellor Biddy Martin, some NBP supporters said.
UW-Madison provost Paul DeLuca and other senate members said although the UW System benefits the state, it does not benefit UW-Madison.
Also on Wednesday, 17 professors signed a statement detailing their concerns about the NBP. The concerns listed include maintaining UW-Madison commitment to the Wisconsin Idea and positive relations with the other UW campuses.
