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• UPDATE: UW-Stout chancellor reverses decision on ROTC
• State minimum wage increases June 1

In a memo sent out to the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus Monday morning, Chancellor Charles Sorenson reversed his earlier decision banning an Army reserve officer training program on campus in Memomonie.

In his memo Sorenson noted that the decision to ban ROTC from campus would go against long-standing UW Board of Regents policy and would put the university in violation of federal law.

"After contact from UW System's General Counsel, it became clear to me that campus attempts to prohibit an ROTC chapter may be a violation of regent policy and federal law. In reading the law it appears that barring ROTC could place significant amounts of federal funding for us at risk."

According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, UW -Stout received $16.3 million in federal gifts and grants this year.

In his original memo on May 6 announcing his decision to ban ROTC from campus Sorensen stated that ROTC's policy of banning openly gay students was in conflict with the university's diversity plan which prohibits such activity.

In Monday's memo Sorenson reiterated that position, but acknowledged that the university must also conform to other standards.

"I want to make it clear that we did not yield to external political pressure in changing this position. At the same time, we cannot go against board policy or federal law."

Sorenson also stated that he will be appointing a team to begin discussions with the ROTC officer at UW-Whitewater about establishing a ROTC program at UW-Stout.

"We will make every effort to assure that this is a positive relationship for our students and for the ROTC staff."

The original decision to ban ROTC drew immediate fire from three area lawmakers; Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls; Sen. Ron Brown, R-Eau Claire; and Sen. Dave Zien, R-Wheaton.

"It is thoroughly disappointing that the chancellor's political objections to policy as determined by federal lawmakers are the barrier for supporting our military men and women prepared to fight for our freedoms," said Brown.

The three sent a letter to Sorenson asking him to reverse his decision, but their request was rebuffed. After seeing the objections raised by the lawmakers UW-System President Kevin Reilly announced that the Board of Regents would review Sorenson's decision.

The state minimum wage will go from $5.15 to $5.70 per hour Wednesday following an emergency order issued on May 11.

In a deal reached with the Republican controlled Legislature the Republicans allowed the order to go into effect unopposed with the understanding that Doyle would sign legislation which prevents individual municipalities from setting their own minimum wage.

The minimum wage will increase again next year to $6.50 per hour under the agreement.

For more information go to http://dwd.wisconsin.gov