Blog
Support Wisconsin faculty – wear red & white Thursday
Governor Scott Walker and the Wisconsin legislature are attempting to strip public unions, including University of Wisconsin faculty, of their collective bargaining rights. The University of Wisconsin faculty won the right to unionize as recently as 2009. Wisconsin is being viewed by many as a testing ground for devastating anti-union legislation, which is being considered in at least 10 other states. read more…
XChange virtual solidarity in support of Wisconsin workers (via APSCUF-KU xchange)
KU’s APSCUF-KU xhcange’s call for solidarity with our colleagues in Wisconsin: read more…
On Wisconsin?
The “mail” the last three days has been full with references to Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin’s attempts to disempower the public sector unions in his state (Nation or Washington Post). As the Post points out, he has done so with threats of military force (calling out the national guard), even as Egypt’s workers have had their voice heard without military intervention.
Gov. Walker’s thinking is not unusual (even if it is the most blatant and scary) even for those of us prone to pessimissm. As the Post article points out, it’s not just about the money, it’s about disempowering labor unions, who they see as they natural enemies in politics. read more…
An Update on PASSHE Performance Spending
The Executive Committee briefed the Board of Governors on the status of performance spending within PASSHE at their quarterly meeting at PASSHE headquarters in Harrisburg on January 19th. A new framework was developed in conjunction with representatives of PASSHE institutions. The new guidelines are divided up into three different categories focusing on student success, access to opportunity, and stewardship.
Here is a breakdown of the changes. . .
New Jersey Higher Ed: A Cautionary Tale
It has become a media truism that Pennsyvlania’s new governor sees New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a role model.
That makes Gov. Christie’s reaction, and Gov. Corbett’s after that, to the Higher Ed Task Force report released the first week of January very interesting.
The Task Force, chaired by respected former governor Tom Kean, came forth with a whole series of recommendations. Some of them probably appeal to Gov. Christie’s brand of decentralization and reform. Others probably bely his policy of cutting state funding. read more…