Chancellor's Office
Chancellor's Communiqués
June 27, 2006
To: All UW Colleges and UW-Extension Faculty, Academic Staff and Classified Staff
Fr: Chancellor David Wilson
In this Message:
- 1. UW-Milwaukee Presents Growth Plans
- 2. Regents Approve 2006-07 Operating Budget and Tuition Rates
- 3. Regents Affirm Priorities for 2007-09 Budget Request
- 4. Regents Learn How a University Center Could Serve Waukesha
- 5. Conversations Continue with Internal and External Stakeholders
Colleagues:
I hope that you are enjoying the first official days of summer. Personally, I find the summer weather in Wisconsin is breathtaking and I am savoring every moment.
Included in this "FYI" are notes from this month's meeting of the UW System Board of Regents, held at UW-Milwaukee on June 8-9.
1. UW-Milwaukee Presents Growth Plans
In a presentation to the full Board of Regents, UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Carlos Santiago made the case for additional state funding, pointing to the disparity between the city's current educational attainment and future workforce needs.
Also addressing the Regents were four prominent Milwaukee leaders: Sheldon B. Lubar, founder and chairman, Lubar & Co. Inc.; Dennis J. Kuester, chairman, president and CEO of M&I Corporation; June Perry, president and co-founder, New Concept Self Development Center Inc.; and Edward J. Zore, president and CEO of Northwestern Mutual.
Mr. Lubar, a former UW System Regent, noted that the city has "by far, the largest minority population in the state and, regrettably the largest number and percentage of unemployed young people in the state." Similarly, Mr. Zore acknowledged the city's major challenges in areas of educational attainment, poverty, school dropout rates and teen pregnancy. Ms. Perry spoke in equally compelling terms, noting that people "should not be penalized because they live in Milwaukee."
As I listened to these and other comments, I was reminded of many issues raised by our UW Colleges/UW-Extension Transition Team, including the educational needs of Wisconsin's urban communities.
View Chancellor Santiago's presentation at:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/06-2006/jun08_UWMChancellor.pdf
2. Regents Approve 2006-07 Operating Budget and Tuition Rates
The Regents approved the university's 2006-07 operating budget, which includes a 6.8 percent tuition increase for resident undergraduate students. The new rates follow the costs outlined when the Board approved the 2005-07 biennial budget last year. For UW Colleges students, the increase equates to $291 in additional costs per academic year.
Nearly half of the increase follows a budget provision requiring that we use tuition dollars to pay for utility costs. The additional tuition will help cover $19.8 million of increased utility costs, as well as a portion of an employee pay plan, and student technology initiatives.
More information on the operating budget:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/r060608.htm#heading2
3. Regents Affirm Priorities for 2007-09 Budget Request
Planning is already underway for the 2007-09 state budget process. Discussing these long-range plans, the Regents affirmed that the UW System's "Growth Agenda" and student financial aid will be two focus points for possible state reinvestment in the university.
The Board voted unanimously to support the Wisconsin Covenant, described by Governor Jim Doyle as a "basic exchange of promises." The Wisconsin Covenant would provide financial assistance for students from low-income families by covering the full costs of tuition at a UW campus if a qualified student meets academic standards while in high school.
UW System President Kevin Reilly noted that, over the last three biennia, the UW System has absorbed $413 million in state budget cuts and eliminated more than 1,000 state-funded jobs, all while serving an additional 3,800 students. He said the university cannot continue this pattern.
President Reilly reminded the Regents that the Growth Agenda will help UW maintain its high quality while increasing student access. To further these goals, the Board might consider requesting funds to recruit and retain faculty, increase access for lower-income students and provide greater revenue for university projects through an increase in application fees.
Click here for more information:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/r060608.htm#heading3
4. Regents Learn How a University Center Could Serve Waukesha
In a report to the Education Committee, UW System Sr. Executive VP Don Mash, , said the educational needs of the Waukesha area is a complex issue that impacts politics, economic development, higher education, and tax policy.
A steering group was formed to examine this issue following the 2005-07 budget process, when Gov. Jim Doyle directed that the UW System study educational needs in Waukesha County and the concept of merging UW-Milwaukee and UW-Waukesha.
Sr. Executive VP Mash pointed out that separating UW-Waukesha from our efficient 13-campus network would require shifting about $2 million to UW-Milwaukee. In contrast, he described how a "university center" model could bring additional degree programs to UW-Waukesha with significantly less start-up costs.
A university center does not grant degrees. Rather, it is a framework which facilitates the presence of degree-granting institutions in one location to deliver programs in a manner that is extremely accessible for local residents. The flexible, market-driven model allows for degree programs to be phased in and out at a particular location, according to local demand and student satisfaction.
Chancellor Santiago and I indicated our support for the next steps, including work with local officials to analyze the best ways to bring new degree programs to the Waukesha campus. We will also undertake a detailed financial analysis of all the options currently under consideration.
Read the steering committee's June report:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/waukesha/WaukeshaStudy-Report2.pdf
As we continue work on this critically important issue, I am committed to finding a "win-win" solution Ð one that addresses the documented educational needs of Southeast Wisconsin, preserves the integrity and efficiency of the UW Colleges, and maintains high levels of access for our students while also empowering UW-Milwaukee's research agenda.
I look forward to keeping you informed of our progress, and reporting to the Board of Regents with Chancellor Santiago at a future meeting.
5. Conversations Continue with Internal and External Stakeholders
You may recall that I had previously asked the Transition Team to recommend a format for conducting listening sessions with our students, clients and stakeholders. Those sessions are now being planned for July-September, and I look forward to those conversations.
At the same time, I will rely on all our UW Colleges and UW-Extension colleagues for honest feedback and creative ideas. I have already enjoyed several productive meetings with governance groups, deans and other internal stakeholders, and I have many additional conversations already on my calendar.
As part of this process, I plan to continue using our WisLine technology to engage faculty and staff members from both institutions. Our next all-employee conference call is scheduled for July 12 at 10 am. Look for more details on this event very soon.
See the Transition Team's final report:
http://www.uwex.uwc.edu/chancellor/documents/transitionTeamFinal050106.pdf
On a personal note, I want to say how much I appreciate the hospitality, collegiality and kindness that you have demonstrated during my first weeks as your chancellor.
Every day in this role brings many new challenges, but also a greater number of opportunities and rewards. I recently completed a series of briefings on Cooperative Extension programs, which left me feeling inspired about the positive impact that education can have on individuals, families and communities.
Upon visiting UW-Manitowoc and UW-Washington County last month, I was impressed by the high caliber of our graduates and the campus colleagues who facilitated their intellectual growth.
Last Monday, I joined 500 4-H youth at their annual state conference in Madison. To say that this was a "lively" group would be a gross understatement! Their heartfelt enthusiasm spurred memories of my own 4-H experiences as a younger man.
Yesterday and today, I attended the annual conference of the Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committees (WACEC) in Oshkosh. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with elected officials from all 72 counties, and conversing with them about the value of our longstanding partnership.
In the process of carrying out your everyday work, I know that you have just as many positive encounters with students, clients, viewers, listeners and partners. In the process, I hope you find a few moments to reflect on these interactions and renew your personal commitment to our vital educational missions.
I look forward to meeting you during the weeks and months ahead. Keep up the good work!
Warm Regards,
David Wilson
Chancellor
cc:
President Reilly
UW Colleges Board of Visitors
UW-Extension Board of Visitors
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