Dear Mr. Walker,
I honestly can say I never hoped that I would have to write this letter to you. I know we don't see eye-to-eye on most things, but I (naively) thought the University of Wisconsin System was one we could at least agree on most things. I guess not.
This isn't going to give you any information you haven't heard before, but it's my personal interpretation of your budget and how it hits me as deep as anything possibly could.
We last met during the winter of my senior year of high school. You were threatening the livelihood and legitimacy of my beloved teachers, most who were not thrilled with your proposal. You must remember this, as we slept in the Capitol and garnered national media attention. I, to this day, call that year of my life the "most politically active I'll ever be" because of your decision to cut unions and demote the importance of teachers around the state.
It's funny to me that we meet again in my senior year of college, and you are yet again threatening the education that has shaped me in every way possible. I guess now that you've attacked secondary education again after 2011, it's time to hit the real culprits of evil wrong-doing here: higher education. I can say without a doubt in my mind that I would physically not be here if it were not for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am the third generation of my mom's family to attend UW-Madison; at least the fourth on my dad's side. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all met because of this storied institution; my great-grandparents were married on Langdon Street. The university here in Madison employs both my parents, not to mention countless friends' parents. The system beyond Madison counts many aunts, uncles, and cousins as employees. I have pride for Madison and the system as a whole engrained so deeply in my blood that I can't imagine going to school anywhere else. I fully intend to raise my children with the same pride. I just hope there's something left to be proud of when that time comes.
I understand that the budget needs balancing. I understand that as one of the largest recipients of state money, the system will be hit, even after the cuts in 2011 as well as the cuts beforehand. It's hard for me to even comprehend how much $300 million means to the system besides the fact that that's a (excuse my language) shit ton of money. It is quite clear to me that education of any sort is not your priority nor do you value it. After all, you were elected three times as governor without a college degree! Why would anyone need one? Why is the university even that important to the state? These questions' answers are just so obvious to me as a student, as a Madison resident, and as a Wisconsinite it's hard to comprehend that you, as our leader, do not seem to grasp this. Your belief that professors "aren't doing enough work" is equally upsetting. My professors, much like my high school teachers that you demoted in 2011, go above and beyond at their job. They are truly invested in the well-being and success of their students, which they balance with their research and other duties that comes with the territory.
While your budget and rewriting of the core mission of the university are wildly upsetting, I can sadly say I am not surprised. Your focus lately has been on a potential presidential campaign, so it makes sense that one of the institutions that shapes the state is getting short-changed. While I am biased, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the most well-rounded public university in the world: the level at which our sports, research, and involvement all compete is unmatched by anyone else. I have faith that this institution will continue to strive for greatness and implement the Wisconsin Idea, even when you seem to question the legitimacy of everything we do. However, your budget cuts will undeniably turn away many potential scholars, professors, and research grants; things that continuously make this university one of the most elite and add so much to our state as a whole.
I suggest actually attending a lecture, watching a professor conduct research and chatting with the many students that make up this system before writing us all off. You could probably use the education more than most.
With a heavy heart,
Sarah
It's worth noting that I started this blog when I was studying for a year in France, hence the name. I never guessed that it might mean I take my passion and love of cheese, beer, and other quintessential Wisconsin staples outside the state.
