Ray Cross Gets Cold Reception at UW-Milwaukee; Makes Resignation Promise

University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross was welcomed to UWM with a cold reception. Cross came to Milwaukee as part of a series of budget meetings held across the UW System.

The only audible approval Cross received was when Richard Grusin, a UWM English professor and director of 21^st Century Studies, asked, “Given your repeated assurances today and in the past that you will support and do everything you can to support or even strengthen the academic protection… Will you pledge to resign your position?” Grusin was asking if Cross would resign if the Legislature doesn’t lessen the governor’s budget cuts for UW and/or eliminates tenure.

President Cross responded with a resounding, “yes.”

Cross followed one disgruntled professor by stating that he fully supports shared governance and tenure. In his speech earlier in the meeting, he spoke about how Wisconsin was one of few states whose public universities relied on state officials to help in decision-making.

The meeting filled most of the large Wisconsin Room and many faculty and community members participated.

In Cross’ speech, he emphasized his work with lawmakers to oppose the governor’s budget. Cross said, “I have not met one legislator who, at this point, is not sympathetic to our request to reduce the budget.”

He says he has convinced officials that the cuts would be damaging to the UW System and that they need to prioritize differently. At this point, people in the audience started to whisper to each other.

Unlike the Chancellor’s Plenary speech, the forum was centered around the proposed transition to a public authority model. The questions tended to concern tenure for faculty members.

Gov. Walker’s budget proposes about $300 million in cuts to the UW System and a switch to the public authority model, saying that model would give the UW more autonomy from the state Legislature. The model would remove enshrined traditions like tenure and put them under Board of Regent policy. The budget is now going through the legislative process.

After Cross reiterated that lawmakers were sympathetic to the UW System, one concerned faculty member, Professor Rachel Buff, urged President Cross to take a firmer stance on the situation. She said, “I want to know that you support more support from legislature for education. I want to know you, as our leader, are on the side of tuition equity and access to all students and would make a public statement.”

Cross said, “We are one of four states… who highly regulate their higher educational system. Oregon is changing; it’s already moved in that direction. New York has. Rhode Island to my knowledge has not and neither has Wisconsin. I think it is time to do that.”  Cross slightly contradicted himself on what system he wants for Wisconsin System schools.

The question and answer soon turned into more of a debate between the audience and the president of the UW System. Cross said, “I am committed to affordability, for all students, in Wisconsin and I believe that the legislature is as well from both parties. The other element is I understand why you want me to pick sides.”

Buff said, “Sides? Why don’t you do your job and represent us?” Some of the audience fidgeted and others clapped enthusiastically. The room became more tense. The rest of the questions were asked with an air of frustration.

Cross was sitting on a panel with several UWM administrators including Chancellor Mone, Vice Chancellor Tom Luljak, and Student Association President Ryan Sorenson. Cross was the only one who spoke other than a short introduction and conclusion by UWM Chancellor Mark Mone.

Although Mone did not answer any questions posed he was listening very intently on Crosses responses. During many of the answers, Mone’s face scrunched up.