In a surprising turn of events, conservative University of Wisconsin regent Robert Atwell has declared that he will not step down when his term ends this month, despite expectations that he would resign. Atwell, who was appointed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker in May 2017, stated in an email to university officials that he will only leave his position when he chooses to resign or when the state Senate confirms a successor. This decision comes after a recent state Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that political appointees are not required to vacate their positions until a successor is confirmed by the Senate. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos reminded Atwell of this fact, prompting his decision to remain on the Board of Regents.
Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, has not yet announced a successor for Atwell, who expressed his desire in the email to continue serving in order to facilitate communication between legislators and the regents. In addition, Atwell criticized the University of Wisconsin system’s financial reporting as weak and took issue with studies that suggest system graduates earn higher salaries solely because they attended a UW school. He also raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding faculty and staff who left their positions due to non-compliance with the system’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Atwell is one of two Walker-appointed regents who remain on the board, with the other regent’s term set to expire in May 2025.
The decision by Atwell to retain his position on the Board of Regents has raised questions and concerns within the university community. While Governor Evers acknowledged Atwell as a person of high integrity, he indicated that he was taken aback by Atwell’s unexpected announcement to stay on. University spokesperson Mark Pitsch did not provide any comment on the matter, leaving many to speculate on the potential implications of Atwell’s continued presence on the board. Atwell’s criticisms of the UW system’s practices and his refusal to step down have sparked further debate and discussion among stakeholders within the university and beyond.
As Atwell’s term extension continues to generate interest and controversy, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the University of Wisconsin system and its governance. With Governor Evers yet to appoint a successor, the future of the Board of Regents and its leadership structure hangs in the balance. Atwell’s criticisms of the university system and his decision to remain in his position despite the end of his term signal a potentially tumultuous period ahead for the university community. It is clear that the implications of Atwell’s actions will reverberate throughout the UW system and may prompt further scrutiny of the governance and policies within the university.
