UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank told the campus Wednesday to brace for budget cuts in the state’s 2015-17 spending plan, although the size and scope is not known.
Blank also said on her “Blank’s Slate” blog that the university and other campuses are seeking greater autonomy from the state but that she is not trying to peel UW-Madison away from the University of Wisconsin System.
Blank wrote that she posted her thoughts after the State Journal reported in recent days that Gov. Scott Walker and System leaders are discussing greater flexibility for System campuses as part of his budget proposal. The newspaper has also reported that the flexibility could be accompanied by budget cuts for the System.
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“I think that all of us are aware that any major items in this upcoming budget — whether it be budget cuts or changes in management authority — will require extensive work here on campus,” she wrote. “But it’s difficult to determine next steps until there’s greater clarity about what may or may not be in the budget proposal.”
Blank said System President Ray Cross is leading the negotiations with the governor’s office on behalf of the campuses. She has not been “directly involved,” but has talked with System officials. The university is not negotiating separately, she said.
“I do want to be clear that there are no conversations about providing UW-Madison with any flexibility or authority that are separate from the overall System conversations.”
Blank’s predecessor, Biddy Martin, unsuccessfully sought to break UW-Madison off from the System, and had worked with Walker’s office on the proposal. Lawmakers and System officials balked, and the idea stalled. Martin left the chancellor’s office soon after.
UW-Madison officials are discussing with Walker’s office and lawmakers the scope of a potential budget cut for the school, Blank wrote. Blank said she would communicate more with campus officials after Walker introduces his budget proposal on Feb. 3.
