UW faculty, chancellor express concerns about tenure proposal

A proposal in the state budget to cut the tenure system from state law is drawing criticism from those who work at the University of Wisconsin.

Chancellor Becky Blank said the tenure plans are not a disaster, but faculty members demanded answers late Tuesday at a faculty senate meeting.

“We have to stand together at the current moment, and we have to be clear that tenure and shared governance are integral to world-class universities,” Blank said. “The freedom of inquiry is integral to who we are and to what we do here.”

Faculty members adopted a proposal at the emergency meeting that says they want Blank and UW System President Ray Cross to demand that lawmakers strike language about tenure changes from the budget.

UW officials said they would like to see a plan consistent with standards developed by the American Association of University Professors.