Take As Directed

In this 129th episode, Steve joined in frank conversation with University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank as she approaches the conclusion of a nine-year tenure that dramatically tested her leadership and the university itself. There is considerable progress -- an increased graduation rate, shorter time to graduation, student debt reduction, improved diversity. The financial foundation of the university’s $3.6 billion budget has been systematically strengthened, through innovative fundraising and new partnerships with the private sector. But those gains are fragile, the university faces fierce competition from its peer institutions, serious financial and governance challenges persist, and changes in culture are difficult and require time. Worsening political polarization in the state is quite problematic. The university finds itself a “pawn” in partisan battles, and Republican legislators lag far behind in supporting sustained investments in the university. Covid-19 remains a live matter – it is