On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Doyle gave a State of the State address that featured a striking mix of comforting statistics, long asides and even a few divisive statements. He delivered a speech that did not merely state that Wisconsin is moving forward, but also mentioned which programs would work toward that end. Though his speech covered a wide range of topics, Doyle juggled some priorities and offered only paltry solutions to the university's current problems.
Doyle somehow managed to talk about the problems of the UW System without once using the word \tuition."" Instead of mentioning that the cost of college was quickly becoming a daunting expense for the average Wisconsinite, Doyle suggested that increased financial aid would be an adequate solution.
He went on to say that investing in stem cells would be another way to assist the UW. While his proposed $750 million investment in stem cell research, including the Institute of Discovery, is admirable, it will not help many students on the east side of campus. Keeping the School of Education one of the best programs of its kind in the nation is just as important as research. If he really wanted to properly fund the UW, he should not be the one continually proposing cuts to the system.
Doyle's focus on education was more geared toward those who are beginning their formal education rather than completing it. He mentioned that school breakfast programs needed to be improved. He also boasted about Wisconsin's ACT scores. While praising education at the K-12 level, he did little to assuage the fears that the quality of the UW System will continue to slip.
If anything, the State of the State address showed that post-secondary education is slipping as a priority at the gubernatorial level. Doyle was content to list off all the work his wife did with the state's schoolchildren, but did not mention the difficulties the average college student faces. If the governor is to properly address Wisconsin, he must recognize the importance of education at all levels in the state.
