One of three new members of the University of Wisconsin Board of Trustees will no longer have to awkwardly wait for a dispute between a former trustee and the governor to end.
Board member Bob Atwell initially refused to give up his seat at the end of his term, but this week he reversed course and resigned effective immediately.
“I am pleased with the Governor's appointments, and especially pleased that Tim Nixon is one of them,” Atwell said in an email Monday to Board of Regents Chair Karen Walsh, University of Wisconsin System Chancellor Jay Rothman and others.
Atwell copied the email exchange to Nixon, a Milwaukee commercial lawyer who he said has a “reputation for clarity of thought and ethical behavior.”
Gov. Tony Evers appointed Nixon and two others as new members to the board on Friday: Former American Family Insurance CEO Jack Salzwedel will replace another Republican-appointed member whose term is expiring, and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student Desmond Adongo will fill a board position normally held by a non-traditional student.
All three new trustees are scheduled to attend a board meeting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee later this week.
Walsh previously told Atwell that his plans were not in the board's best interest, and he ultimately agreed.
“He is passionate about the University of Wisconsin and has served the Board well,” Walsh told the Cap Times on Tuesday. “He now feels he can remain on the Legislative Council and make a difference, and I look forward to working with him in that role.”
Atwell, the first CEO of Nicolet National Bank in Green Bay and one of two remaining appointees by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, told UW System leaders in a May 20 email that he planned to continue in his role after his term expires May 1 until the Senate confirms his successor or he resigns. At the time, Evers had not yet announced a successor.
Atwell said the decision was based on advice he received from state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a decision confirmed by Rothman.
The issue of whether gubernatorial appointees can stay in office after their terms end has become a contentious one in recent years.
In 2022, The state supreme court ruled Those appointees to state offices can stay in their positions until their replacements are confirmed by the Senate. At the time, the Supreme Court had a conservative majority, and the ruling allowed Walker's appointee to remain on the state Natural Resources Board.
More recently, the case has been held up as precedent by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul and others. Assert Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Megan Wolfe will be able to continue to serve.
“While I believe I have clearly explained my reasons for staying on at least until the Milwaukee meeting, I certainly have left room for people to believe I intend to replay the scenario unfolding at the DNR Board meeting,” Atwell wrote in his resignation email Monday.
“The five or six hate mailings I received were not particularly memorable,” he said, “and it was clear to me that my main concern was the future of the Legislative Council and, more generally, the relationship between UW and the Legislature.”
Atwell added, “There's little cost to making abusive accusations about me, but it's foolish to slander an elected body that must approve its budget. The University of Wisconsin System is in dire need of a reform and reset in its relationship with all Wisconsinites. The University of Wisconsin is no more Tony Evers' university than it is Scott Walker's university.”
Atwell did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment from Cap Times on Friday and Tuesday. First reported by WisPolitics Regarding his resignation.
“Obviously I'm concerned” about Atwell staying on beyond her term, Evers told reporters at the Capitol last week.
“We have a board of trustees, and one of their primary jobs is to make sure the University of Wisconsin system continues to be one of the best in the country,” Evers said, “but it's problematic when a match is played that includes board members.”
Evers noted the appointment marks an important milestone for the University of Washington System as many of the system's two-year colleges have closed in recent months. The university also remains at odds with the Legislature over the use of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, even as lawmakers and system officials reached an agreement in December to end a DEI-related budget standoff.
But the state Senate is unlikely to take up board nominations anytime soon. The Legislature adjourned in mid-May and is unlikely to return before 2025.
The state Senate recently rejected a series of appointments to various state committees, including two nominees from Evers to the state board. Vote in March The plan comes after two trustees opposed a deal that would have curtailed DEI positions in exchange for different UW budget priorities. Finally approved It is at the center of a huge controversy.
Andrew Baer will join Cap Times in September 2023 to cover Wisconsin politics and government. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has covered state governments in Pennsylvania and Kansas.
Becky Jacobs joined the Cap Times on April 1 and covers higher education. She previously served as business and paper industry reporter for The Post-Crescent in Appleton and women's issues reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune, and covered a variety of topics for newspapers in Indiana and North Dakota.
To support Andrew and Becky's work and more local journalism, become a Cap Times member.
