Summer started on Memorial Day weekend for me. My husband and I ducked out of work a little early that Friday and drove along Highway 14 all the way to La Crosse. We detoured through… Read More
Chancellor Blank
On the end of the academic year and a way forward
At the last Faculty Senate meeting of the year, someone made a comment that suggested this past year has been all about “bad news.” Following a number of no confidence votes by faculty at many… Read More
Chancellor Blank’s remarks to Spring 2016 graduates
As prepared for delivery Saturday, May 14, 2016: Good afternoon. It’s wonderful to see you all here as we celebrate today’s honorees – the Class of 2016! Friends and family have the best seats in… Read More
Reactions to the May 2 Faculty Senate debate
Today, the Faculty Senate engaged in a spirited debate. While there was argument over many amendments and the resolution contained language that I do not personally embrace, we can all agree on the need for… Read More
Opposing a vote of ‘no confidence’
As chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I acknowledge the anger and frustration from our faculty and staff in reaction to budget cuts, changes to governance and tenure. However, I feel that it is important… Read More
Working at UW to address employee communications
UW-Madison is constantly communicating. Whether through the use of news releases, videos, tweets, or even my speeches and blog posts, we are telling our story to a multitude of audiences every day. Over the decades,… Read More
UW-Madison, the Board of Regents and tenure
On Friday, April 8, the UW Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve a UW-Madison policy on tenure. The vote brings to conclusion a process around layoff and termination rules that stretches back to the end… Read More
An Open Letter to the UW-Madison Community
We’ve seen a troubling string of incidents reported through our hate & bias reporting system that have directly affected and hurt members of our diverse community. In a larger sense, these incidents affect each and… Read More
Address to the UW System Board of Regents
Speaking to the Board of Regents on Feb. 4, 2016, Chancellor Blank urged a renewed commitment to keeping UW–Madison among the top public universities at a time when peer institutions are seeing greater investment from… Read More
Campus support for student voting under new Wisconsin Voter ID law
One of our missions as an American educational institution is to prepare and encourage everyone who passes through the university to be an active, engaged citizen. Voting is one important aspect of this. It is… Read More