Madison, Wisconsin: University Archives and Records Management Services
Summary
In this 1985 interview with Laura Smail, Fred Risser discusses issues involving UW in the State Legislature throughout his tenure as a senator. He talks about various aspects of UW System presidency, including giving an evaluation of the work of Robert O'Neil, Edwin Young, and John Weaver. Risser talks about O'Neil's relationship with the legislature while defending O'Neil's lobbying efforts during the budget and faculty salary controversy in the Spring of 1985. Risser is asked about possible prospects for the next UW System president and he gives his opinions on Lee Dreyfus and David Carley. Risser gives a background on the state budget crises facing governors Dreyfus and Anthony Earl, along with discussing their policies. He goes on to talk about the Star Fund which provided funding to support key faculty members during the pay freeze. Risser discusses the effectiveness of PROFS in relation to faculty unionization issues and the organization's new leader, John Ross. The interview ends with a discussion of the passage of the system merger in 1971, his feelings on the decision, and a few theories about why votes were cast in favor of the merger.