MADISON, Wis. – A conservative University of Wisconsin regent says he will not resign when his term ends this month.
So-Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, appointed Robert Atwell to the Board of Regents in May 2017. His seven-year term ends this month.
Atwell emailed University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, Regents Chair Karen Walsh and Regents Executive Director Megan Wasley on Monday, saying he will not resign until he decides to step down or the State Senate confirms a successor.
The state Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that political appointees do not have to leave their positions until the Senate confirms their successor. Atwell said in his email that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos reminded him that he could remain in his position among the regents.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has not yet announced Atwell’s successor.
“I knew Bob Atwell as a person of great personal integrity,” Evers told The Associated Press on Saturday. “Something has changed.”
UW System spokesman Mark Pitsch did not return a message seeking comment.
Atwell said in his email that he hoped his “temporary continuation” as regent would support communication between legislators and regents.
He also complained in the email that the UW system’s financial reporting is poor and questioned UW studies that conclude that the system’s graduates earn more because they attended a UW school are “superficial, inaccurate and highly insulting to parents, students themselves and for the community institutions that also help to train young people”.
He also complained that no one ever answered his questions about how many teachers and staff resigned or were fired for defying the system’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Atwell is one of two Walker-appointed regents who remain on the board. The other is Cris Peterson. His term expires in May 2025.
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