UW System schools will get some flexibility for projects

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Madison campus will remain a part of the University of Wisconsin System under changes to be approved by the Legislature’s budget committee, but it and other campuses will be given new flexibilities, including money for some construction projects.

Co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee said before the panel’s meeting Friday that it would break with Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to break Madison off from the System. That was met with opposition from the other campuses that argued they should be given the same freedoms.

Instead, all of the campuses will be given more freedom to determine how to spend money from the state and to make hiring decisions.

UW-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin said she never expected to get everything she wanted in the first attempt to break Madison off and get additional freedoms.