Universities of Wisconsin leaders must remain neutral in public statements on political and social issues, and they should only make public statements on matters affecting school operations, under a new policy the university system released Friday.

Under the new policy, university leaders’ public statements must be limited to matters that directly affect university operations and the university’s mission, and they must maintain viewpoint neutrality when referencing any political or social controversy.

The purpose of the policy is “to uphold and protect academic freedom, freedom of expression, and an environment in which competing ideas can be freely discussed and debated by all members of the university community,” the policy states.

The policy applies to the system president and vice presidents, the university chancellors, provosts, vice chancellors, deans, directors, department chairs and anyone else who may be perceived as speaking on behalf of a system institution.

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Any expression of support or opposition must be approved by UW system President Jay Rothman or the university’s chancellor.

Statements expressing solidarity or empathy should be avoided if they suggest support for one group’s viewpoint over another, the new police states.

The policy does not apply to faculty or staff who may express their expertise or judgment as it relates to their academic discipline or research expertise, including analysis or commentary on a political or social issue.

But, the policy notes, faculty and staff should be careful when posting such statements on university-owned channels to ensure they would not be misconstrued as being made on behalf of the institution. The policy also does not apply to faculty and staff’s personal statements on non-university-owned channels.

Rothman and university chancellors may also adopt additional guidance and procedures requiring faculty and staff to include disclaimers when not representing the institution, according to the policy. 

Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Wisconsin Library Mallon on April 29, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (Getty Images)

The president and chancellors may not expand the scope of the policy to restrict the free expression rights of people or groups of individuals who do not present themselves as speaking on behalf of the institution.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the UW System for comment.

UW system spokesperson Mark Pitsch told The Associated Press that the policy will take effect immediately and does not require the approval of the board of regents.

The policy comes after UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone made a deal with anti-Israel demonstrators in May to end campus protests. The agreement, which was slammed by Jewish groups, included the university calling for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas as well as for the university to discuss severing ties with Israeli companies.

Rothman criticized Mone’s decision to make the deal, writing on the social media platform X that campuses need to remain viewpoint-neutral and ensure actions on campus have consequences.

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Anti-Israel demonstrators protesting at the University of Wisconsin Library Mallon on April 29, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (Getty Images)

Mone announced this summer that he plans to resign next year, although he has not specifically said why he is stepping down. He said he is leaving his position next year to give time to find his replacement.

Fox News Digital has reached out to UW-Milwaukee for comment.

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Republican lawmakers have criticized higher education for years, saying conservative voices are censored on campuses across the country while liberal voices are welcomed. Some Republicans have called for federal legislation to require colleges and universities to protect free speech and enforce penalties for infringing on a person’s freedom of speech.

The American Civil Liberties Union and its Wisconsin chapter did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Wisconsin football team won it first two games of the season but it turned in less-than-inspiring performances in each and failed to cover the spread as double-digit favorites.

The Badgers are in a new role on Saturday. They’re double-digit underdogs at home.

That’s not a surprise given the strength of the opponent Luke Fickell’s team is facing. Fourth-ranked Alabama is coming to Camp Randall Stadium.

Can the Badgers keep it close and maybe even pull off a shocker against one of the nation’s highest scoring teams? The last time the Badgers played an SEC team in Wisconsin as a double-digit underdog they stunned a top-five team in LSU in 2016 at Lambeau Field.

Here are the latest odds for the Wisconsin-Alabama game.

Wisconsin vs Alabama odds: spread, money line, total points

Spread: Wisconsin +16

Money line: Alabama -795, Wisconsin +545

Total points: 48.5

Alabama is 1-1 against the spread this season, while the Badgers are 0-2. Alabama’s Week 1 game against Western Kentucky went over the 59.5-point total before last week’s Crimson Tide-South Florida game was under the 63.5 total. Both of the Badgers’ games were below the total.

ESPN predictor model

You won’t find too many people or models predicting Wisconsin to beat Alabama.

ESPN’s predictor model gives Alabama a 92.2% chance of winning.

Are the Badgers ready to pull off a big upset?

Wisconsin vs Alabama stats

Here’s where each team stands in scoring offense and defense through two games.

Led by Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe, Alabama can put up points in a flurry. The Crimson Tide has the seventh-highest scoring offense in the country at 52.5 points per game. It scored 63 points in its season-opening shutout win over Western Kentucky and then had 42 last week against South Florida, though it needed a 28-point fourth quarter to get to that total.

The Crimson Tide has allowed just 8 points per game, good for 17^th in scoring defense. It shut out Western Kentucky in Week 1 before allowing 16 last week to South Florida.

Wisconsin’s 27.5 points per game ranks 87^th of the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. It needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to get to 28 points in Week 1 against Western Michigan and then started fast against Football Championship Subdivision South Dakota with two first-quarter TDs before cooling off in putting up 27 points in a 14-point victory.

Wisconsin’s scoring defense is ranked 40^th. The Badgers allow 13.5 points per game.

Wisconsin vs Alabama predictions

The Journal Sentinel’s beat reporters have the Badgers suffering their first loss of the season to the national title contender.

Mark Stewart: Alabama 27, Wisconsin 17

JR Radcliffe: Alabama 35, Wisconsin 10

Here’s more on their predictions.

Wisconsin-Alabama reader predictions: Fans have little optimism for the Badgers in Saturday’s game

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide head north to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday for a showdown with head coach Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers.

This will be an unfamiliar matchup with only two previous meetings in each school’s rich history. Oddsmakers lean heavily in favor of Alabama, as the Crimson Tide are 16-point favorites and the total (over/under) sits at 49.5.

CFB Week 3 Alabama vs. Wisconsin odds

When the early college football betting lines were released in May, Alabama was an 8.5-point underdog. The point spread slowly increased during the offseason and spiked greatly when the season began.

The Badgers are undefeated through two weeks but failed to cover the spread in both matchups.

Wisconsin trailed in the fourth quarter of Week 1 vs. Western Michigan but earned a 28-14 victory. The Badgers maintained control in Week 2, beating South Dakota (FCS) 27-13.

Alabama had another scare vs. USF, but the Tide’s offense couldn’t be stopped in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide have a +89 scoring differential with defeats of Western Kentucky and South Florida.

Why Alabama could win as the favorite

The Jalen Milroe-Ryan Williams connection has been stellar through two weeks. Williams has racked up 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns, giving Alabama an excellent downfield threat.

Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have formed a great backfield duo. The Crimson Tide’s 266 rushing yards per game are second-best in the SEC. The Badgers have struggled to limit opponents on the ground, creating a significant weakness for Miller and Haynes to exploit.

Unlike Wisconsin teams of years past, led by superstar running backs such as Ron Dayne, Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor, the Badgers aren’t as dominant on the ground in 2024. QB Tyler Van Dyke has been average, and the offense doesn’t excel in any area.

Alabama has a lot of matchup edges vs. Wisconsin and should leave the crowd at Camp Randall Stadium silent by the end of the game.

Why Wisconsin could win as the underdog

Keeping pace with Alabama early would help keep the Wisconsin faithful engaged. If the Badgers trail big by halftime, it’s hard to imagine Camp Randall Stadium providing much energy in the second half.

Wisconsin must find a way to slow Miller and Haynes, which will be more difficult with star LB Jake Chaney out for the first half of Saturday’s game.

Van Dyke needs to step up for the Badgers to pull the upset. The Miami transfer has 406 passing yards and one touchdown, ranking in the bottom half of Big Ten starting QBs.

When a heavily favored team like Alabama suffers an upset, the underdog typically wins the turnover battle. Wisconsin’s offense has four fumbles and two fumbles lost, which must be eliminated to stay in the fight vs. the Crimson Tide.

Alabama vs. Wisconsin prediction

Alabama to cover the 16-point spread is my prediction for Saturday’s game in Madison, Wisconsin. The Crimson Tide’s victory over USF wasn’t pretty, but Milroe and the offense got in rhythm when it mattered the most.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer’s squad has handled its first two opponents, while the Badgers have yet to earn an overly impressive win. Alabama has matchup advantages all over the field and should leave Madison 3-0 with another blowout victory.