Cybersecurity, budgets, internal audits: 8 takeaways from Friday’s Board of Regents meeting

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents discussed current risks based on an systemwide internal audit requested by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, in Dec. 2023 and passed several resolutions during Friday’s meeting.

1. The Audit Committee reported fraud, data accuracy, legal, human safety, academic integrity and compliance risks in various areas including diversity, equity and inclusion, housing, student safety, NCAA, payroll and purchasing cards based on findings from the UW System Office of Internal Audit. This comes after Dr. Charles Lavar was removed as chief diversity officer over financial concerns.

2. The Education Committee added seven new degree programs which aim to focus on entering the workforce and student demand, but they are constantly conscious of “program array” and the current and future “financial viability” of UW System.

3. The Capital Planning and Budget Committee approved roughly $4.7 million in funds for desperately needed maintenance repairs across UW System and electrical substation renovations in UW-Madison’s west campus. They also mentioned the replacement of the engineering building and proposed demolition of Mosse Humanities and replacement with a new music and arts building.

4. The Regents unanimously approved a rare policy compromise granting UW System presidents more appointment authority but also designating regents with a larger role in the process than current President Jay Rothman had requested. Rothman requested permission to unilaterally appoint members of his leadership team as three top UW System leaders approach the end of their terms.

5. UW System is expanding artificial intelligence (AI) education in order to respond to technological advances and workforce needs, specifically with a new major at UW-Eau Claire. They will be looking at implementing the major at more universities.

6. Steven Hopper, the UW System associate vice president for learning and information technology services, shared updates and future plans on the implementation of Workday for UW System staff due to cybersecurity concerns and highlighted a commitment to addressing issues and proactively planning for future roadblocks, like the turnover of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10.

7. Regents discussed how to empower innovation and entrepreneurial excellence at UW-Madison. UW-Madison connected CEOs of the rewards app Fetch, the nuclear fusion energy company Realta Fusion, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Ford Bio Labs, both of which work to support entrepreneurship and startups. 

8. Retiring Regent Bob Atwell gave a speech telling current regents not to be a “community which reflexively avoids change,” asking why they “refused to consider and adapt” what was known about COVID-19 in 2021 and calling the system’s employee vaccine mandate unjust. He also told regents “you cannot effectively serve the whole state if your culture effectively despises [...] and stifles" the left-wing, which is half of the state. He also warned of future federal actions.

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