UW Regents’ DEI deal for pay raises, Racism for Black journalists

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time
A man looks to the side as he speaks into a microphone.
UW System President Jay Rothman speaks Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 during the UW System Board of Regents meeting at UW-Green Bay. Angela Major/WPR

We talk to WPR’s higher education reporter about the back and forth between the UW Board of Regents on a deal with the state legislature for pay raises to freeze DEI initiatives. Then, a Black journalist in Milwaukee shares his experiences with racism on the job.

Featured in this Show

  • UW Regents rejected the legislature's DEI deal by a narrow margin. What's next?

    On Saturday, the Universities of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents voted on a compromise with the state legislature to cut and restructure diversity, equity and inclusion positions, among other measures, in exchange for university system employee pay raises and other funding. The board voted 9-8 to reject the deal. We talk to an education reporter about the Regents’ reasoning, and where negotiations could go from here.

  • Longtime Milwaukee journalist shares his experiences with racism

    A Black journalist who’s worked in Milwaukee for decades talks about the hundreds of racist letters he’s received in response to his work and why we need to talk more about racism Black journalists experience on the job.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Beatrice Lawrence Producer
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Rich Kremer Guest
  • James Causey Guest