Blank’s Slate

The COVID-19 situation has changed a lot of plans and postponed a lot of events in our lives. One side-effect of this has been to substantially reduce all types of travel, which has in turn… Read More

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this message included language that was stigmatizing to those experiencing mental health issues. UW-Madison and University Communications are committed to supporting the mental health needs of our community along with the use of welcoming and inclusive language in its communications. We apologize for the impact of this error on our community.

This past month has been unusual. Like many of you, I’m working from home, occasionally struggling to make the video or audio work in a shared conversation, and shouting hello at my neighbors from a safe distance. I don’t have to tell you that we are in a time of great uncertainty and change. We’re all feeling it in many areas of our lives.

Strategic plans provide a blueprint for where an organization wants to go.  At UW-Madison, we’ve typically updated our strategic plan every five years.  In the past year we’ve recently completed a new strategic framework for… Read More

The Wisconsin Idea commits UW-Madison to being involved in our community, our state and our nation. One way to fulfill that commitment on the educational side of our mission is to prepare our graduates for… Read More

On Thursday I delivered my annual address to the UW Board of Regents. I told the board how UW-Madison is responding to three important national trends that are challenging top research universities nationwide. Click to… Read More

Chancellor Blank recently sat down with Department of Workforce Development Secretary Caleb Frostman for an interview on his podcast, “On, Wisconsin Workforce.” They talk about how UW-Madison attracts top students, how the state can keep… Read More

Welcome back to a new semester, I hope you all had a chance to spend time with family and friends and recharge. It was a busy winter break. A highlight for me was the chance… Read More

Welcome to 2020. The beginning of a new year offers an opportunity to create new resolutions and renew commitments we’ve made in the past. Last fall, a teachable moment around the student-produced Homecoming video reminded… Read More

The Blank’s Slate post below is co-written with Michael H. Schill, the president of the University of Oregon. It’s been eight years since our two schools last met on the field at the 2012 Rose… Read More

Another semester has come and gone. We graduated 1,770 students at the end of December, many of them joining us in the Kohl Center for the ceremony. The Winter Commencement address was delivered by Jason… Read More