The Teaching Assistant Association and United Council invited Chancellor Biddy Martin and 10 other University of Wisconsin affiliates to debate the controversial New Badger Partnership with them Tuesday.
The TAA and UC denounced support of the NBP, including the proposal's recent endorsements from the Wisconsin Business Council and UW-Madison's Faculty Senate.
Members of the TAA, including future UW-Madison TAA co-president Adrienne Pagac, criticized Martin for using the fiscal crisis to create the NBP and justify the privatization of the university.
According to UW-Baraboo/Sauk County Dean Tom Pleger, every UW system school would benefit from the flexibility and funding UW-Madison would gain from the NBP.
Pagac conceded the university's best interests are at the heart of the proposed partnership, saying ""the path to hell is paved with good intentions.""
Dean of UW-Madison School of Education Julie Underwood defended the NBP saying it was ""not a proposal to abandon our core ideas, values and accessibility but to deal with economic flexibility and independence.""
Chancellor Martin said the NBP would help the university as the higher education system faces changes worldwide and would allow UW-Madison to hire and maintain premier faculty.
Martin said she imagined ""a future with the NBP and public authority where we can do well by students and faculty.""
United Council Government Relations Director Michael Bell said the tuition increases from the NBP would create a bad relationship between the state and the university in terms of funding, ""or as Lady Gaga might say, ‘a bad romance'.""
