After 13 years of service, Katharine C. Lyall has left her post as President of the University of Wisconsin System. Lyall has held these reigns and maneuvered her way through budget cuts, diversity controversies and her position as the first female president of the UW System. Her successor, previous UW-Extension Chancellor Kevin Reilly, has quite the pair of shoes to fill.

Reilly has publicly voiced plans to tackle budget cuts while keeping the quality of education at its prime. He has also mentioned plans of progressing Plan 2008 and increasing diversity on the system’s 26 campuses, noting that diversity begins at home. Reilly has three children, two of which are adopted from Colombia.

However, as the UW System continues the second week of the 2004-05 academic year, his job begins to take shape. Reilly arrived in Van Hise Hall Sept. 1 for his first day and is now attending his first set of Board of Regents meetings today and tomorrow. The UW System is in dire need of a voice for students and an advocate for student needs. Reilly needs to be this voice and advocate in all university issues and events, including Board of Regents meetings. It is of great importance that Reilly push his plans forward and stand firm on the issues that need addressing.

With new leadership, the possibilities for change are endless, and change is what the UW System needs. Students need to make sure the appropriate changes are made. UW-Madison students have UW System offices and Regents meetings on campus. Get involved and hear first hand what changes are being made. Attend Board of Regents meetings, be your own advocate. Go to Wisconsin.edu to find appropriate schedules and contact information. Someone needs to make sure Reilly tackles the task in front of him. Why not have it be you?