Opinion Piece Calls for Elected UW Regents and Legislative Action for Collective Bargaining Rights
An opinion piece by Jon Shelton, President of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, argues for a fundamental reform of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System's Board of Regents. Shelton contends that the current appointed system leads to regents who lack understanding of higher education and are unresponsive to faculty and staff. He advocates for amending the state constitution to make regent positions elected, thereby increasing their accountability to the people of Wisconsin. Shelton also expresses disappointment with Governor Tony Evers' appointees to the board, stating they have not empowered university workers. He calls for a Democratic-led senate to hold confirmation hearings for unconfirmed regents and for a new Democratic governor to appoint regents with genuine understanding of higher education, including an elected leader from an AFT-Wisconsin union. Furthermore, Shelton states that the union will now focus on achieving a Democratic trifecta in the upcoming fall election to legislate co... 
