Lawmakers slipped language into state budget allowing UW leaders to come from outside academia

Karen Herzog::

Language quietly slipped into the proposed state budget would allow someone from outside academia to become the University of Wisconsin System’s next president or a campus chancellor, potentially moving politics and business interests squarely into future searches for top university leaders.

While public university leaders traditionally have come from academia, a few politically appointed governing boards for universities elsewhere around the country have tapped businessmen or politicians.

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels became president of Purdue University, the Iowa Board of Regents two years ago chose a businessman with little experience in academia as president of the University of Iowa and University of Colorado President Bruce Benson made millions in oil, but his formal education ended with a bachelor’s degree.

The most common road to the presidency continues to be the traditional route of academic affairs (43%), according to a study released last week by the American Council on Education. Only 15% of college and university presidents came directly from outside of higher education in the ACE study, down from 20% in 2011.

At age 69, UW System President Ray Cross said he has no immediate plans to retire. There also are no indications UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank is looking to move.