UW-System Will Need Legislative Approval for Plans to Combat COOVID

Wednesday, August 4th, 2021 -- 10:06 AM

(WMTV) The University of Wisconsin System will now need legislative approval for any plans to combat the spread of coronavirus on its campus or from the universities into the surrounding communities.

On Tuesday, the legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted 6-4 to rule that they have final oversight over any COVID-19 action by the universities by declaring it a rule making procedure.

The vote by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules came without a formal meeting or public comment. “Today’s action feels like a political statement,” UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch said. “Our focus is to ensure we are doing what needs to be done to safely open for in-person teaching this fall.”

Last week, System President Tommy Thompson blasted the proposal, arguing it would strip the universities of the “tool (they) so successfully used to date to address the outbreaks and reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

The one-time Republican governor of Wisconsin went so far as to recount his position within the George W. Bush Administration when making his case, arguing that his former position as Health and Human Services Secretary gives him additional insight to combating the spread of the virus.

According to Nass, UW System must come up with an emergency rule for COVID-19 policies within 30 days or cease issuing them for students and campus visitors.

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