November 25, 2005

Stuck in a Badger Hole

The U. of Wisconsin System is under assault by that state's leaders. Blame its political clumsiness and broader national trends.

By Peter Schmidt

If one could mount a cannon on the lawn of Wisconsin's capitol and aim it straight down Madison's shop-and-bar-lined State Street, one could easily shell the University of Wisconsin System's flagship campus, about half a mile away. To hear some lawmakers talk about the system, it's a wonder they haven't tried.

Verbally, at least, state legislators have been launching volley after volley at both the Madison campus and the system offices housed there. Since last spring, they have taken