Who needs to search for the truth anyway?

[silva]

Scott Walker strikes 'truth,' 'human condition' from Wisconsin Idea



Read more: host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-strikes-truth-human-condition-from-wisconsin-idea/article_a4ca4220-7211-5fc8-b2b9-0ab5313c6937.html#ixzz3QoJzCaKX

In addition to proposing a cut of $300 million to the University of Wisconsin System, Gov. Scott Walker would change the state statute defining the system's mission, a statement commonly known as the "Wisconsin Idea."



Gone from the one-paragraph statement deep in state law would be one sentence defining the universities' purpose to "educate people and improve the human condition" and another about how its basic purpose "is the search for truth."



Walker would add language to the opening sentence specifying the universities' responsibility as economic engines, adding the line, "to meet the state's workforce needs" to a sentence about developing human resources.



UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank, who as a candidate for the job spoke of her admiration for the Wisconsin Idea, reacted to the news on Twitter.



"The Wisconsin Idea is — and always will be -- central to the mission of this university," she wrote.



The Wisconsin Idea was developed by UW-Madison president Charles Van Hise in 1904 and is oft-cited by higher education leaders nationally as a model.



"The Wisconsin Idea was very much a part of every conversation we had with candidates," said David McDonald, a longtime history professor who led the chancellor search that resulted in Blank's hiring. "It's absolutely fundamental to our identity."



It involves the concept that university resources, teaching programs and discoveries should be relevant and beneficial to every resident of the state. It's been the intended model for university activities for more than 100 years but its manner of expression has changed with the times.



New faculty members are taken on a bus tour of the state early in their tenures, trips the university arranges with stops at farms, factories, prisons and other institutions to meet state residents and be reminded of the university's outreach mission.



McDonald said he saw news of the change on Wednesday morning with no prior knowledge it was coming.



"You’d think that changing a cornerstone document about our mission would merit a bit of debate before a unilateral amendment," he said.



Walker, a likely presidential candidate, has angered university officials and teachers of late not just with proposed budget cuts, the largest two-year hit in the statewide system's history, but also with comments suggesting professors don't work hard enough. The criticism of universities could help him in Iowa, a key early state in the 2016 presidential contest, according to a Wednesday story in the Wall Street Journal.

[darnkatz]

This man hates education. That is the only conclusion I can come to. Well, that, and he's a piece of shit who can go fall into a hole.

[eddy]

I thought we had it rough in Iowa. You guys take the fucking cake.

Also I am so fucking tired with this anti-education anti-being smart thing we having going on in politics.

[silva]

Feb 4, 2015 15:46:00 GMT -5 eddy said:

I thought we had it rough in Iowa. You guys take the fucking cake.

Also I am so fucking tired with this anti-education anti-being smart thing we having going on in politics.

And the thing is, he will run for president, lose and we still have to deal with him as our governor. So much damage.

[Velar Fricative]

Oh fuck this guy. He is making my blood boil.