Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent a new letter to colleges and universities calling for reform in higher education. Unlike an earlier letter, this "call to action" had input from the presidents of Arizona State and Washington University and leaders of the Association of American Universities.

McMahon Sends Reform ‘Questionnaire’ to Colleges

The Association of American Universities and other university leaders consulted on the call to action, which represents a shift in tactics for the administration.

insidehighered.com

AAAS says that the actions of the Trump administration should be alarming to everyone, not just the science community: "If universities oppose the actions of the administration, they need to say so quickly...The alternative is a community of university scientists adrift and grasping for a lifeline."

University science in the US needs a coherent plan

The Trump administration continues to degrade America’s scientific establishment, causing widespread harm to the country’s broader interests and well-being. Last week, the Association of American Univ...

science.org

Early voting for the August 11 is open. We asked candidates in the 76th Assembly District (isthmus and northeast Madison) and the 17th Senate District (southwestern Wisconsin) for their positions on higher education, cuts in research funding, family leave and other important issues. profs.wisc.edu

ICYMI: UW-Green Bay announces UW System's first reduced credit bachelor's degree, a 100-credit computer science degree that can be completed in about 3 1/2 years. The Board of Regents revised a policy in March allowing UW institutions to offer 90-credit degree programs.

UW-Green Bay first in Wisconsin university system to offer reduced credit bachelor's degree

This fall, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will be the first campus in the public university system to offer students a reduced-credit degree.

wpr.org

Nearly 500,000 comments were made, mostly in opposition, to the Trump Administration's plan to rewrite how federal research grants are made. UW-Madison submitted 13 pages with the university's concerns, citing new burdens, disruptions in research and the talent pipeline and a lack of transparency.

UW-Madison scientists warn that Trump’s grant changes threaten research

UW-Madison researchers were among the nearly 500,000 commenters who largely denounced a proposed rule that would politicize grants.

madison.com

The deadline for comment on this disastrous proposal for America’s scientific research infrastructure is TOMORROW!

AAUP Alabama@alabamaaaup.bsky.social · 4w ago

The proposed OMB rules changes will radically alter the future of research and federal funding. Make your voice heard through a public comment before Monday, July 13! Submit comments at: regulations.gov/commenton/OMB-2026-0034-0001 or join the UA AAUP Comment-a-Thon via Zoom Thursday 2:30-5.

Gift link Former UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer prepares to lead Columbia University, becoming the Columbia's fifth leader in four years. She shares her priorities with the NY Times: addressing the impact of AI, improving the undergrad experience, and helping students navigate political differences.

Columbia University Has a New President. Again. This One Plans to Stay.

nytimes.com

"Invest your energy in making sure policymakers know why they should choose your research," says former US Senate chief of staff Mark Bayer. https://bit.ly/4aipcMk #LibEdMag

Make Your Science Case Heard | AAC&U

How researchers and higher ed leaders can gain the support of policymakers—and the public.

aacu.org

Science exclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative. Funding for basic science programs is down 20-30% and sources say the funding will be diverted to the "X-Labs" program, a $1.5 billion initiative that will focus on research that has commercial and social value.

Exclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders say

Unexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year

science.org

Exclusive: The National Science Foundation is trimming this year’s budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by roughly 20% to 30%, even though its overall budget is down just 3%. https://scim.ag/4xY2KCm

Exclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders say

Unexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year

science.org

Today! Share your thoughts about the UW-Madison Chancellor search at 2 pm. The second and final virtual listening session will be held via Zoom (wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/j/92685272170). You may also share your feedback by completing this survey: uwsystemadmin.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

ICYMI: PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals talks to the Wisconsin State Journal about issues related to the search for a new UW-Madison chancellor. Gift link below: madison.com/news/local/e...

The University of Iowa announced it will eliminate 10% of its graduate teaching assistant positions. While no current TA's will lose their jobs, about 80 fewer positions will be posted in the fall. The university plans to utilize instructional staff or undergrad teaching assistants to compensate.

University of Iowa eliminates 80 graduate jobs

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa graduate research assistant (RA) Anne Moore is paid roughly $2,000 a month for her work. With roughly 40 percent of her monthly pay allocated

thegazette.com

Last Friday, the Trump White House announced new rules that would give oversight of federal grants to senior political appointees. The proposal also bans certain foreign collaborations and cuts support for publishing costs. The current system of indirect cost reimbursement was left unchanged.

White House seeks to tighten political oversight of grantmaking

Sweeping proposed rule, now open for comments, would also restrict foreign collaborations and remove federal funding for open-access fees

science.org

White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final approval of research grants These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review process opaque www.scientificamerican.com/article/whit...

White House proposes new rules giving political appointees final say on research grants

These proposed Office of Management and Budget regulations would render the federal research grant review process opaque

scientificamerican.com

Despite a recent $1 million pay raise, Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz is leaving the university for Clemson. Guskiewicz led UNC-Chapel Hill before arriving at MSU two years ago. In a statement yesterday, Gusckiewicz expressed frustration with the MSU board's focus on past conflicts.

Clemson Taps Michigan State President

Clemson poached Michigan State’s Kevin Guskiewicz, who noted board dysfunction in his parting message. His exit comes shortly after he was offered a $1 million raise to stay.

insidehighered.com

My prediction: the starting salary for an AAU public university president will soon reach one million dollars. This means they will finally surpass salaries for football strength and conditioning coaches. sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...

College Football Strength Coach Salaries - USA TODAY

Ever wondered who the highest paid strength coach in college football is? Find out today with USA TODAY's complete salary data.

sportsdata.usatoday.com

Robert Kelchen@robertkelchen.com · 2mo ago

I shared a few thoughts with Inside Higher Ed about the surprising news of Michigan State's president heading to Clemson. Michigan State, Michigan, and Wisconsin are the three toughest leadership jobs right now. All three jobs are open. www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...

ICYMI: Board of Regents President Amy Bogost discusses the selection of UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter as interim UW System president, how the Board of Regents work together, and how a future UW System president will address the role of AI in the state and its public universities.

Head of Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents defends Rothman firing, talks next system president

Earlier this month, UW Board of Regents President Amy Bogost formed a 25-person search committee to find the next president of the state’s 165,000-student university system. She told WPR what issues a...

wpr.org

Several new programs targeting affordability have resulted in a significant increase in the number of UW-Madison students graduating debt-free. Ten years ago, about half of graduates had no loans. This year, two-thirds of graduates were debt-free.

How two-thirds of Badgers graduate from UW-Madison debt free

Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s flagship public university has increased how many undergraduates earn degrees without student loan debt.

captimes.com

Northwestern University named Purdue President Mung Chiang as its next leader. Chiang will begin his new role on July 1. Following a secretive search, Chiang was named incoming president of Purdue University in June 2022 to replace outgoing president Mitch Daniels on January 1, 2023.

Northwestern hires away Purdue President Mung Chiang as its next university leader • Indiana Capital Chronicle

Purdue University President Mung Chiang will leave West Lafayette to take up presidency at Northwestern University.

indianacapitalchronicle.com

@beckyjacobs.bsky.social of @captimes.com asked leaders in the university community, including PROFS President Michael Bernard-Donals, for their thoughts on Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin's leadership during her four years at UW-Madison. An in-depth story ⬇️

What will Jennifer Mnookin’s legacy at UW-Madison be? Opinions vary

Some campus members describe the chancellor as strategic and smart. Others criticize how she responded to protests.

captimes.com

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin met with reporters yesterday before leaving to become President of Columbia University. Mnookin discussed successful efforts to improve access and maintain the university's research enterprise in light of federal cuts. She also reiterated the need for bonding authority.

UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin reflects on tenure

UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin reflected on her accomplishments leading the state’s flagship campus while acknowledging what she calls a period of “significant challenge” during her four-year ...

wpr.org

Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu reach a $1.8 billion deal to provide $600 million in K-12 special ed and general funding, and tax relief in the form of aid to WTCS, direct payments to taxpayers and the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime.

$300 stimulus checks, school funding part of ‘blockbuster’ deal

The spending package includes a historic increase in the state’s reimbursement rate of special education funding and direct payments to Wisconsin residents.

captimes.com

Regents named a 25-person search committee to find the next UW System President following the firing of Jay Rothman last month. UW-Madison Provost John Zumbrunnen is the sole UW-Madison representative on the committee. UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter was also named Interim UW System President.

Search committee named to replace UW system president

A 25-member search committee has been named to find the next Universities of Wisconsin president after the Board of Regents fired system leader Jay Rothman last month.

wpr.org

Missed the PROFS forum, What is the Path Forward for Public Higher Education? We had a lively discussion with Rep. Angela Stroud (D-Ashland), Greg Summers (BVK & UWSP Emeritus Provost) and UW-Madison Emeritus Vice Chancellor Raymond Taffora. A recap from Baylor Spears of @wisconsinexaminer.com ⬇️

UW former officials say better communication with the public key to building trust in higher ed • Wisconsin Examiner

Much of the conversation centered around how universities and colleges need to improve their communication with Wisconsinites.

wisconsinexaminer.com

548 UW-Madison faculty members from "high-demand" fields are receiving pay raises this month. The 2025-27 state budget included $27 million annually for raises for UW System faculty who are in fields that "address workforce needs that will benefit communities across Wisconsin."

UW-Madison plans pay raises for 548 faculty in high-demand fields

Wisconsin lawmakers included funding for the increases in the current state budget. Employees will receive the money in May and July.

captimes.com

Thirteen former NSF leaders call on the Trump Administration and Senate to name new leaders: "We write with a single purpose: to underscore the urgency of restoring full leadership and governance at the National Science Foundation during a period of intense international competition."

After Board Axed, Prior NSF Heads Call for Members, Director

Thirteen former leaders of the National Science Foundation are asking the Senate and the Trump administration to install leaders for the agency, after its director resigned more than a year ago and th...

insidehighered.com

UW-Madison generated a $13.2 billion economic impact on the state over the last fiscal year. Another $12.4 billion was generated by spinoff companies rooted in UW-Madison research. Vice Chancellor Craig Thompson: "The economic impact...is substantial no matter where you live in the state."

UW-Madison says it generated billions for state's economy last year

A new analysis released by UW-Madison says the university contributed billions in statewide economic impact last fiscal year.

wpr.org

ICYMI: A 23-member committee was selected to undertake the search for UW-Madison's next chancellor. Regent President Amy Bogost will chair the committee, and UW-Madison Extension professor Annie Jones was named vice-chair. Six faculty members, including the vice-chair, are on the committee.

Committee named for UW-Madison chancellor search

MADISON, Wis. -- The president of the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Thursday named the 23-member committee that will help decide UW-Madison's next chancellor.

channel3000.com

UW-Madison Vice Chancellor Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska estimates as many as 160 UW Extension employees could lose their jobs as a result of new USDA rules. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is one of 19 AG's who have sued to have the new rules blocked, calling them unlawful funding conditions.

UW-Madison warns in court filing that 160 employees may be laid off

The layoffs would hit the Division of Extension following new rules issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for recipients of federal funding.

captimes.com