University of Wisconsin Rejects Deal Linking Funding to Diversity Program Changes

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos stands firm on not renegotiating the deal, leaving the fate of faculty raises and new buildings uncertain.

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents rejected a deal that would have provided $800 million in funding for new buildings and faculty raises in exchange for restructuring staff from diversity initiatives.
The deal, negotiated over six months by UW System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, would have frozen hiring for diversity positions for at least three years and created at least one position focused on conservative beliefs.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who had agreed to the funding on the condition of the diversity program changes, has stated he is finished negotiating and will not soften his position.
The deal would have allowed for 4% pay raises for all 35,000 UW employees, funding for a variety of construction projects, and a freeze on hiring for DEI positions through the end of 2026.
The fate of the planned engineering building and faculty raises is now uncertain, and it is not clear whether Republicans will try to negotiate a different deal with UW's leadership.