The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Senate for Academic Staff issued a statement Feb. 24 in opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill.

“We, the Senate of Academic Staff at UW Oshkosh, represent 823 employees at this institution. We urge you, our elected officials, to consider the concerns of thousands of your constituents who have spoken out at the State Capitol and in their home districts,” according to the statement. “Many newly elected officials campaigned on the idea of reducing the size of government without outlining details.  Those details are now public and the priorities of the State have shifted to support a new agenda. Indeed, the new reality of our State leadership favors some individuals while taking the rights of others. The motto of the State of Wisconsin, as displayed on our state flag, proclaims “FORWARD.”  Forward thinking seems no longer being applied.”

The UW Oshkosh Senate of Academic Staff, an independent governance body of campus, issued the statement on Feb. 24.

The Wisconsin Asssembly passed the budget repair bill early on Feb. 25. The bill had yet to be considered by the State Senate as of this post. The current proposal aims to close a more-than $130 million deficit in the current fiscal year and also address a larger budget deficit expected in the next biennium.

• Read the complete UWO Senate for Academic Staff statement on the budget repair bill.
• Read the complete UWO Faculty Senate Statement on the budget repair bill.
• Read Chancellor Richard Wells statement on the budget debate.