Cutting it Off at the Pass

Cross-posted at Lakeshore Laments by Kevin.

Finally, a smart move by UW Administrators.

University of Wisconsin System President Kevin P. Reilly is calling for the Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee to authorize an audit of the university’s employment policies and practices as a complement to a study underway by the UW System Board of Regents.

“I want the people of Wisconsin to have every confidence that their public university system respects and properly invests in the employees who serve UW students, campuses and communities,” Reilly said. “A review by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau would reassure the public and strengthen actions that the Board of Regents, the chancellors, and I will take following our own thorough look at employment policies and practices.”

Reilly requested the audit in a letter sent Tuesday to Audit Committee co-chairs Sen. Carol Roessler and Rep. Suzanne Jeskewitz. A nonpartisan audit could provide additional information for those interested in learning more about the university’s employment practices following last month’s suspension of the granting of administrative “back-up” appointments and the Regents’ review, Reilly said.

The Board of Regents will address its review of employment policies and practices at its September meeting.

“I look forward to a long-term, productive, and trustworthy relationship with the public and the Legislature,” Reilly said. “When I took office last September, I pledged that the UW System would be open and transparent in all that it does. I remain committed to those goals, and I will see to it that constructive changes are made.”

Asking for their own audit is a smart PR move because it shows two things:

1) They have a problem, and they want to see it dealt with.

2) It’s better than having the Legislature request one - which seemed very likely to happen.