UW Student Leaders Applaud Walker Veto Of Shared Governance Changes

University of Wisconsin student leaders are relieved that Gov. Scott Walker has vetoed parts of a policy to scale back shared governance at state universities. They say things like shared governance and tenure aren’t safe in the hands of state lawmakers.

Shared governance gives students, faculty and staff a say in campus policies at UW System schools. But in May, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee tweaked the state budget making these roles advisory to chancellors. It would have given chancellors final say over spending of student fees.

But Walker vetoed some of those changes from the budget before signing it. UW-Eau Claire Student Body President Jake Wrasse said he’s glad for the reversals but said these policies aren’t safe with lawmakers.

“I think if this budget showed us anything it’s that tenure and shared governance just aren’t safe in state statute. I would much rather have them in board policy,” he said.

Wrasse said the UW-Board of Regents are better suited to deal with such policies than lawmakers who are distracted by politics and elections.