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UW System President Kevin Reilly Resigning

After nearly nine years at the helm, Kevin Reilly is stepping down as head of the University of Wisconsin System.

Some criticized, for amassing reserves of $650 million, while raising tuition five percent.

As a result of the reserves, legislators capped tuition in the new biennial state budget. University leaders insist most of the reserves have been committed to projects which will come due.

UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mike Lovell says the job of system president has become more political in recent times – and more challenging, because of tight state budgets.

“So people (who) go to those roles need to be very politically astute and strong enough to be able to secure the resources we all need for higher ed.”

Lovell says fewer academics and more business people have been moving into the job of system president, and he wouldn't be surprised if the next UW System pool of candidates, follows that trend.

“Many times, you’re seeing people from the private sector coming in – business leaders, oftentimes CEOs, retired CEOs are going into those positions. It’s not as common as it used to be for a faculty member to rise up to become a chancellor-president and then become a system president.”

Reports indicate that Reilly will teach at UW-Madison and be involved in leadership training, after he hands over the reins of the UW System.