“They want to want to alter Chapter 17 to expel students for off campus infractions.” – Regent Jesus Salas

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents addressed many issues including Milwaukee neighborhood disturbances, the marriage amendment and remedial education at its Oct. 5 and 6 meeting at UW-Platteville.

Regent Jesus Salas addressed concerns about neighborhood rowdiness around University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s campus and the possibility of purchasing Columbia St. Mary’s for university facilities.

Currently there are no designated plans for the purchase and prices are still being finalizing. However, Salas said neighborhood associations and local government officials are opposed to the purchase and said they would like to see stricter enforcement of off-campus conduct.

“They want to alter Chapter 17 to expel students for off-campus infractions,” Salas said.

Regent President David Walsh said he planned to form a committee that would include students and other concerned groups to look into the matter. UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago said Milwaukee is aware of the situation and working to address citizen concerns.

Regents vote to oppose marriage amendment

Later, the Regents discussed the upcoming marriage amendment and voted with an overwhelming majority to formally oppose the amendment.

“The language of this amendment provides uncertainty,” said Regent Charles Pruitt, chair of the Business, Finance and Audit Committee. He and other regents addressed problems with the wording of the second sentence in the amendment, which could limit “the providing of domestic benefits at least some point in the future.”

Regent Christopher M. Semenas, who is a senior at UW-Parkside, brought up a personal example of how he was motivated to pursue an English major after taking a class with a professor who has won the Regents’ distinguished teaching award and is openly homosexual.

“I’m concerned about this amendment not for me but for my friends and faculty members,” Semenas said. “What is this going to do for those young fantastic professionals who we are trying to attract to this state?”

According to the day one Regents summary, “Current state law prohibits the UW System from offering domestic partner benefits, putting the state at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting and retaining university employees. UW-Madison is the only member of the Big Ten that does not offer such benefits to its employees.”

Remedial education grows, report shows

As a part of the Education Committee’s report, the Regents discussed remedial education, which is required for incoming freshmen who do not score high enough in math or English on proficiency tests and does not count toward course credit.

“There is a growing number of high school students who enter college not ready to do course work,” said Regent Danae Davis, chair of the Education Committee.

According to the 2006 report on Remedial Education in the UW System, Milwaukee increased its math remediation rate by 73 percent. In fall 2002, 16.8 percent of new freshmen were required to take remedial math classes but in fall 2004 that number increased to nearly one-third. On average, the state increased by 22 percent from 12.2 percent to 14.9 percent.

Concurrently, English remediation rates were down slightly for both U and the state average.

Salas said that UW-Madison, UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse have higher admissions standards and less need for remedial courses than UWM, UW-Parkside and UW-Superior.

Regent Elizabeth Burmaster, who is also state superintendent, said that in order to lessen remedial classes, elementary and high schools need “more rigor and more experienced teachers.”

Burmaster encouraged administrators to look at their schools of education to ensure teachers are getting the necessary experience. She also commended UWM’s program of putting education students in Milwaukee Public Schools.

The next board meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9 and 10, in Madison.

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