MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker abruptly backed off Wednesday from a contentious plan to eliminate the University of Wisconsin System’s public service mission statement known as the “Wisconsin Idea” and replace it with the charge of meeting the state’s workforce needs.
Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said in an email late Wednesday afternoon that the change was a drafting error and the Wisconsin Idea will remain in the state budget.
“The Wisconsin Idea will continue to thrive,” she said.
A UW website dedicated to the Wisconsin Idea describes it as “the principle that the university should improve people’s lives beyond the classroom.” It has been a guiding principle of the university, extending to teaching, research, outreach and public service.
Walker, a likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate, had tucked the wording change into his nearly 2,000-page budget proposal on Tuesday but did not mention it in his 25-minute speech to the Legislature.
The governor, who does not have a college degree, has proposed $300 million in cuts to the UW System in exchange for more autonomy and freedom from state oversight. He presented it as a bold idea that will give the university the freedom it wants from state oversight to chart its own future.
Walker angered faculty and staff, though, by suggesting they don’t work hard enough and should teach more classes. His proposal to delete the Wisconsin Idea generated more anger from the university community.
