Courtesy of Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison via The Daily Cardinal
While I vigorously disagree with Robin Vos’s positions on just about everything, we disagree based on real and reasonable policy and ideological differences. I am also tired of Vos’s interference with the normal administration of the Governor’s duties and responsibilities.
Robert Atwell, a conservative Republican and member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, has been a vocal budget hawk, often criticizing the financial reporting system. However, his failure to acknowledge the legislature’s underfunding as a key factor in the University’s financial problems is a cause for concern. His support for a ‘deal’ negotiated with the UW System Chancellor and Robin Vos, without any Democratic Assembly input, which would have compromised the University’s diversity efforts, further exacerbates the situation.
Robert Atwell, appointed by Scott Walker to the Regent’s seat, has become a pawn in a political game. Robin Vos, to undermine Governor Evers’s administration, advised Atwell to remain in his position until the Senate approved a replacement, a move he knew would not happen. This blatant political interference in the University’s governance is a cause for outrage.
Mr. Atwell, the CEO of a bank in Green Bay, came under significant pressure and publicity and decided to vacate his seat when Governor Evers appointed Tim Nixon to succeed Robert Atwell. Nixon works on the law firm Godfrey & Kahn’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Team. Evers commented on Atwell’s refusal to vacate his seat, “When we have these games being played with Board of Regents members, that’s a problem,” Evers said. “I know Bob Atwell and as I said before, he is — was — a person of extraordinary integrity. Something happened along the way that caused that not to happen. I do believe at some point in time he’ll decide to get off (the board).”
There are 22 other incumbent board and commission members whose terms have expired but refuse to leave because the State Senate will not confirm their replacements. Before the current republican leadership, only four appointments were denied in the past forty years.