The issue of political influence was addressed in the center’s founding proposal. “The principles of academic freedom and lively internal departmental debate about the quality and integrity of the research and activities supported by those funds would insulate the work from political influence,” it read.

The mission of CROWE is to “provide objective economic research to support economic development and policy evaluation for important state-level issues,” according to the proposal. The center will “provide a crucial link in tying the UW to the broader policy and business community statewide, expanding the outreach from academic research to practical application,” the proposal said.

Campus supporters of the center included John Karl Scholz, dean of the College of L&S. He noted in a letter to Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf that Williams will work with faculty and a board of advisors that will include economists on campus, alumni and community members.

An annual report on CROWE activities will be issued by Williams to the board of advisors and Department of Economics executive committee, according to the center proposal. Advisors may offer non-binding feedback to the director and the executive committee will vote on whether to accept the report.