Madison, Wisconsin: University Archives and Records Management Services
Summary
In this 1985 interview with Laura Smail, Karen O’Neil discusses her husband’s decision to accept the System presidency along with their shared efforts to foster good relations among System campuses. O’Neil talks about her work with the University League and its relationship with the UW System. She talks about the relationship they have with Madison campus and how strong of a tie Robert O’Neil feels to faculty as he continues to teach at UW-Madison. O’Neil talks about the Board of Regents and the team building that has occurred. O’Neil explains how she sees her role as president's wife and discusses the role of a partner of an administrator. She talks about the large impact of the faculty pay issue that, after dealing with tough budget cuts, made for strained relationships. O’Neil explains her relations with legislators and efforts made to smooth relationships for her husband’s role. She also talks about how they have handled tensions during situations like the pay plan controversy. The end of the interview includes O’Neil’s praise of the high quality of support services for the president's family and a discussion of her own work and the coursework she has taken in women's studies at UW-Madison.