Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges, Children and Families, issued the following statement in response to the appointment of Governor Tommy Thompson as Interim UW System President:
“I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Governor Tommy Thompson and wish him the best as he embarks on a tremendous challenge in leading the UW System as President on an interim basis.
The UW System in its current form is economically unsustainable and in need of major structural reforms. The taxpayers and tuition-paying families of Wisconsin can’t afford to financially preserve the current antiquated higher education system that prioritizes administrative bloat.
If Governor Thompson fights to protect families by preserving the undergraduate tuition freeze, then I will be his ally. If Governor Thompson fights to cut administrative spending and positions, then I will be his ally. If Governor Thompson fights to refocus the UW System on education instead of liberal indoctrination, then I will be his ally.
However, if the UW System demands higher tuition on families, a massive state taxpayer bailout and adopts window-dressing for reforms, then I will continue to stand with the taxpayers and families of Wisconsin in opposition.”