Interview with Donald K. Smith

Interviewee

Smith, Donald K.

Date

• June 7, 1984

Publisher

Madison, Wisconsin: University Archives and Records Management Services

Summary

• In this 1984 interview with Laura Smail, Don Smith discusses his family and educational background. This includes the development of speech departments and positions at Wisconsin High. He talks about the major influence that Gladys Borchers had on him. He discusses the changes in the field of speech and the Speech Department in the 1930s and 1940s. He describes how the UW Speech doctoral program was spread thin over many academic areas. He talks about his political views in the late 1930s, the impact World II had on his undergraduate education and his impressions of the Spanish Civil War. He also discusses the UW Madison campus atmosphere during the late 1930s. He describes his appointment as the UW System vice president. He discusses plans for review of academic program structure and the effect of 1973 and 1975 budget cuts. He talks about liberal governors in the 1970s including Governor Patrick Lucey’s staff appointees failing to understand the University. He discusses the issues of Ph.D. programs. He discusses the rigidity of the UW budget and Government intrusion in University affairs. He talks about the UW Madison’s achievements through Merger and the future of the merged system. In this second part of the interview with Laura Smail, Don Smith discusses the protection of UW’s special status in 1970s. He discusses the impact of collective bargaining bill for state employees on UW salaries. He talks about the Legislature’s increasing control over UW. He discusses the Department of Administration’s attempts at educational planning. He talks about the decline in state funds for UW. He discusses key legislators, Governor Anthony Earl’s treatment of the University and Governor Patrick Lucey’s policies and their effects. He talks about the necessity for UW flexibility in money matters.