Chancellor's Office
Chancellor's Communiqué
August 2008
Dear Colleagues,
It has been several months since I communicated to you via the Chancellor's Communiqué, but a lot has been going on within our institutions. This issue does not capture everything, but I wanted to share some highlights.
Adult Student Initiative (ASI) Rollout at UW-Fox Valley in Menasha
On Feb. 28, 2008, Governor Jim Doyle joined UW System President Kevin Reilly and me at UW-Fox Valley to announce progress in the UW Colleges' and UW-Extension's Adult Student Initiative. The ASI creates opportunities for more Wisconsin adults to start, continue, or complete a bachelor's degree.
Nearly 150 community, regional, and state leaders listened as the governor joined President Reilly in recognizing the efforts of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension to increase the number of college graduates in the state and to announce the next steps for the ASI. The goal of the ASI, which received $2.5 million in state funding July 1, 2008, is to build on the current work of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension to further connect adult learners to UW associate and baccalaureate degrees.
April Board of Regents Meeting
As most of you are aware, the UW Colleges and UW-Extension hosted the April Board of Regents meeting at the Pyle Center in Madison. It provided the opportunity to show Regents how the UW Colleges and UW-Extension enrich the lives of Wisconsin's people through a variety of presentations, programs and displays during the two-day meeting.
Here are links to the Web cast of my presentation and photographs from the meeting.
Farm Technology Days
On July 15, State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Brown County Executive Tom Hinz and I presented remarks at the kickoff of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days -- the state’s largest outdoor agricultural show. The annual three-day event showcases the latest improvements in production agriculture, including practical applications of recent research findings and technological developments. It is held each year in a different Wisconsin county. Seventy-thousand people were expected to converge on this year’s Brown County family farm in Green Leaf. Unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled halfway through the second day due to rain and high winds.
The event’s organizing structure, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, Inc., is a non-profit, educational organization comprised of representatives of state and federal agencies involved in agriculture and natural resources. At the host county level, UW-Extension coordinates the events with the cooperation of the host county and many volunteers under the direction of the general manager. It takes three years to plan each Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, formerly known as Farm Progress Days.
To learn more about Cooperative Extension’s involvement in the many educational theme tents, visit the Farm Technology Days Web site here. We had leaders from all four Cooperative Extension program areas and from numerous counties.
Next year, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be held at Crave Brothers Farm located in Waterloo, Wisconsin, on July 21-23, 2009. Some of you may recall the Crave Brothers award-winning cheeses at the Board of Regents reception hosted by our institutions in conjunction with the April board meeting.
Wisconsin's Recent Flooding
UW-Extension and UW Colleges have been quietly serving our citizens during the recent flooding across Wisconsin. When our state finds itself in real need, we have experts already in place to help. This is a fine example of the Wisconsin Idea at work. I applaud all staff involved in the following efforts:
Cooperative Extension provided timely information to families, farmers, business owners and community leaders coping with ongoing flood-related issues created by heavy and widespread rains in many areas of southern and northeastern Wisconsin. The information was developed in partnership with several UW-System campuses, most notably UW-Madison and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Cooperative Extension established a Web site and posted information on flood responses developed by Cooperative Extension campus specialists, state and federal agencies and the national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).
The site contains a variety of educational materials addressing food safety, water safety, housing damage, health, crop damage, and other issues. It was shared with statewide media, Wisconsin elected officials, the Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Towns Association, the state’s three major agricultural papers, and many other state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Cooperative Extension colleagues served as local experts and were quoted numerous times in media throughout the state.
Cooperative Extension also:
- sponsored a Cooperative Extension Team grains specialist statewide conference to discuss the flood’s effect on crops, measure flood damage, and discuss post-flood cropping options.
- developed and distributed a variety of educational materials about issues faced by affected counties.
- surveyed flood damage in order to provide the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection an assessment of statewide crop damage.
- communicated across state lines with members of the national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) to share information and expertise in the Midwestern states affected, especially Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin.
- provided information to farmers, business owners, families and community leaders on how to access state and federal agency disaster program resources.
Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television provided flood-related news and information on their networks and Web sites. This Web site has streaming video of many WPT reports.
The Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), part of UW-Extension’s division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, have been working with the local and national Small Business Administration to tap into available resources for Wisconsin business owners affected by floods. SBDCs have worked with SBA representatives at centers in 19 counties to process more than 3,000 businesses and approve $4.2 million to date in low-interest disaster loans for businesses and residents in the disaster-declared counties. Directors and counselors at SBDCs in these areas are involved in outreach efforts to encourage businesses to take advantage of SBA disaster relief loans to repair or replace damaged property and equipment. Loans are also available to businesses that have experienced revenue loss as a result of the flooding.
Our Instructional Communications Systems unit (www.uwex.edu/ics) worked behind the scenes to provide WisLine interactive conferencing, sometimes several times a day, for many groups (Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, and the University of Wisconsin-Extension) to meet virtually and quickly with staff in all counties to share the latest flood updates, respond to local reports and questions firsthand, and continue to plan and prepare for contingencies.
UW-Extension is indeed extending the research and resources of the university and will continue to be a resource in coming months as issues continue to arise from the flooding.
At UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, Madison Drum and Bugle Corps scouts staying at the campus for a training camp assisted residents by hauling and stacking sandbags to prevent any further flooding as the Baraboo River overflowed its banks into their back yards.
UW-Fond du Lac provided shelter for staff and students who were stranded there overnight at one point.
Grandparents University
The Wisconsin Alumni Association and UW-Extension Family Living Programs offer Grandparents University® each summer. This award-winning two-day workshop is a chance for children (recommended ages 7-14) and their grandparents to come together and learn from each other in a dynamic atmosphere at the UW campus. For more information, click on www.uwalumni.com/grandparents.
Wisconsin Public Television Wins National Award
Wisconsin Public Television has been awarded the 2008 National RTNDA/UNITY award for “Way of the Warrior.” Only three television UNITY awards are given nationally – one for small market, one for large, and one for network. “Way of the Warrior” won in the small market category.
Way of the Warrior uses personal stories of heroes and soldiers to examine the warrior ethic in Indian Country and to try to answer the question why military service is so highly valued in Native communities. These gripping stories from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam weave a tapestry of positive and negative themes—the warrior ethic, prejudice and stereotypes, forced assimilation, poverty, cultural pride, redemptive acts and healing. The documentary uses historical footage, period photographs, Native music, personal diaries and interviews to reveal what it means to be “ogichidaa” -- one who protects and follows the way of the warrior. The documentary is available for purchase in DVD format.
RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network journalists in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc., is a strategic alliance advocating fair and accurate news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenges the industry to staff its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity.
Baccalaureate Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)
As you are aware, we are seeking authority for the UW Colleges to offer one unique interdisciplinary baccalaureate degree in Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS). Limited baccalaureate authority is one way the UW Colleges can provide an opportunity for students around the state to improve their quality of life and to develop the UW System’s objectives for the Growth Agenda -- producing more college graduates, stimulating job growth, and strengthening local communities.
When planning a new degree, UW System requires an Entitlement to Plan or, in other words, a written request to plan the degree. This is the first of many steps necessary to receive approval to offer the BAAS. An Entitlement to Plan Working Group, chaired by Interim Provost Greg Lampe, is drafting the document to be completed in September.
The September deadline should enable the working group to incorporate results from three areas: a) a market study of employers in the UWC campuses’ service areas currently under way, b) the results of a returning adult students’ interest survey currently under development, and c) the work of the BAAS Faculty Task Force which is developing the curricula for the degree.
Program Innovation Fund
The 2008-09 Program Innovation Fund grants have been awarded to thirteen outstanding proposals that exemplify the richness of our cross-divisional and inter-institutional synergies. The review team had the challenging task of sifting through 35 proposals and recommending the ones that best represented the goals of the program.
The 2008-09 funded projects are:
- Dialogues on Diversity Facilitator Training and Program Development
Dialogues on Diversity will bring together UW Colleges/UW-Extension faculty, staff and students as well as citizens in communities around the state for discussions in four different focus areas: racism, poverty, gender and women’s issues, and religion. The project encompasses curriculum development, 2 facilitator trainings (24 participants), and 40-48 actual dialogues.
- Wisconsin Geologic Record: A Community-Based Interactive Web Archive
Utilizing cutting edge technologies, The Wisconsin Geologic Record will provide a unique interactive online experience for those interested in the geological history and resources of the state of Wisconsin. This unique web application will foster increased interaction between geologists, students, and the public via geologic data sharing.
- Critical Condition
The film Critical Condition, explores the dangers of being uninsured and will be viewed at 12 sites in the state with community discussions. Web and print materials will be developed to accompany the community discussions.
- Strategies for Community Development in Native Nations
This program addresses a number of core issues found within reservation communities-instability of civic engagement; community development; and leadership. As elected tribal leaders change, so do priorities and focus, forcing the community to continuously adapt. By building leaders at various levels within reservation communities, a stronghold of consistency can be obtained. We intend to increase participants’ core competencies with leadership and program development skills.
- Eastern Wisconsin GEMS (Girls Engineers Math and Science)
Eastern Wisconsin GEMS will conduct conferences on three campuses to promote science, math and technology knowledge and skills in middle-school aged girls.
- Fire Souls: Support for Community Change
Four partners from UWEX and UW-Fond du Lac will work together to support sustainable “hybrid” communication, both web-based and face-to-face, among “fire souls”, citizens who want to create a community of practice with a burning interest in sustainable development and community change.
- Generation, Inc.
Generation, Inc. is a five-week entrepreneurship program held on the UW-Eau Claire campus. The pilot class will be held during spring 2009 with 30 high school students. Combining field trips, classroom instruction and hands-on activities, the program is designed to develop knowledge of entrepreneurship while building leadership, presentation, teamwork and communication skills.
- Manufacturing Excellence in Wisconsin Biotechnology and Biomedical Companies
Scientists and managers in early-stage biotechnology and medical device companies rarely have manufacturing experience or education. Five pilot companies will learn industrial engineering and business tools to improve production and manufacturing processes. These capabilities will help speed product time to market, reduce costs, increase competitiveness and profitability of participant companies.
- Development of a Web-based Video Channel focused on Conservation Issues
This project will create and evaluate a Web-based video channel to empower Extension natural resource educators to more effectively inform the public about environmental issues in Wisconsin. The channel will display videos in a user-friendly way and be maintained and updated in an effective and cost-effective manner.
- Food Waste Composting on Campus
This project will be used to demonstrate on-site food scrap composting that can be used as a model for other institutions and businesses. It will involve students to incorporate sustainable practices into day to day operations.
- Wisconsin Intimate Relationships: Learning for Life and Love
Intimate relationships exert a significant influence on college students’ academic and personal lives. The WIRE project will develop and launch a Web site (eWIRE) and associated programming to provide evidence-informed intimate relationship information and resources to UW Colleges students and staff across the state.
- Online Access Initiative: Laying the Groundwork
This Initiative seeks to create a portal to expand public access to UW resources via the Web and digital television broadcast. To advance this initiative requires established technical standards and processes for capturing materials, trained staff, and equipment to do the capturing.
- Sustainability Roundtables
This project brings together community and environmental groups, businesses, industry and workers, local government, and experts to conduct four Roundtable discussions to expand collaboration to advance green economic development in the State. The project's comprehensive scope is built upon a unique working alliance between CES-CNRED and the School for Workers.
Climate Survey
A welcoming and inclusive educational climate is grounded in respect, nurtured by continuous attention to climate, and communicated by open dialogue. To get a clearer perspective on how life is experienced day-to-day on our campuses, the UW Colleges participated in the UW System Diversity Climate Study with a UW Colleges Campus Climate Survey.
This confidential survey was offered at each of our 13 UW Colleges campuses, UW Colleges Online, and the UW Colleges Central Administration March 31-April 18. It was open to everyone on campus and in the Colleges – students, staff, and faculty – and all were strongly encouraged to participate. We expect a Colleges-wide aggregate report and 13 individual campus reports this fall.
Northern Wisconsin Initiative
The Northern Wisconsin Task Force report has found unmet needs for access to higher education in northern Wisconsin. I am holding a series of higher education forums with leaders from UW-Stevens Point, UW-Green Bay, Nicolet Technical College, UW-Superior, and others to discuss possible collaborations among the institutions to respond to northern Wisconsin’s higher education needs.
Watertown Presentation
At State Senator Scott Fitzgerald’s request, I traveled to Watertown on May 20 to present “Meeting the Needs of the Knowledge Economy,” that included information about our Adult Student Initiative to a group of citizens interested in the possibilities of having a UW Colleges presence in Watertown for more convenient access to higher education. We are currently considering the next steps.The Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committees, Inc. (WACEC) Meeting
On June 16 – 17, I attended WACEC’s annual meeting in Stevens Point. One of WACEC’s purposes is to provide a forum to consider problems and policies of concern to the county board committee responsible for Extension programs in each county. Members include all committee members on agriculture and extension education committees of county boards in those counties that are dues-paying members. Even in this difficult economic time, I found that county board members seem even more committed to funding Extension programs.
Biennial Budget Requests for 2009-2011:
1) Funding for Adult Student Initiative Phase 2, and 2) Funding for UW-Platteville Engineering Programs at UW-Washington County and UW-Sheboygan
In August, we anticipate that the Board of Regents will request of the Department of Administration $2.5 million for phase two of the Adult Student Initiative, and approximately $1 million for collaborative undergraduate engineering programs between UW-Platteville and UW-Washington County and UW-Sheboygan. If the funding is approved, a UW-Platteville baccalaureate degree in engineering could be offered on those campuses. Funding would provide engineering faculty and equipment, administrative staff, streaming video coursework and a mobile laboratory.
Mechanical and electrical engineering collaborations with UW-Platteville are already offered at UW-Fox Valley and UW-Rock County with UW-Platteville engineering faculty onsite. UW-Platteville engineering courses are currently being video-streamed at UW-Marinette and UW-Marathon County. A total of 36 students have graduated from the mechanical engineering program that began in 2004 at UW-Fox Valley and 26 of those have been employed within 100 miles of the campus.
April Board of Regents Meeting
As most of you are aware, the UW Colleges and UW-Extension hosted the April Board of Regents meeting at the Pyle Center in Madison. It provided the opportunity to show Regents how the UW Colleges and UW-Extension enrich the lives of Wisconsin's people through a variety of presentations, programs and displays during the two-day meeting.
Here are links to the Web cast of my presentation and photographs from the meeting.Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network
Nearly $49,000 was shared among 17 small business owners from around the state in the third quarter of FY 2008. These grant funds administered through the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) are used to develop plans for business creation or growth and/or to obtain the professional services necessary to apply for federal funding.
Other Good News
Board of Regents President Mark Bradley has recommended for the first time that one Regent be assigned to each UW Colleges campus. In the past, we have been assigned two Regents for all 13 UW Colleges campuses and two Regents for UW-Extension, while one Regent was assigned to each UW four-year institution. I applaud Regent President Bradley for making this happen. He is a strong advocate for the work we do and we are grateful.
UW Colleges and Regent Liaisons
Please take note of the following list:
UW-Baraboo/Sauk County – Jeff Bartell
UW-Barron County – Colleene Thomas
UW-Fond du Lac – Elizabeth Burmaster
UW-Fox Valley – Mary Cuene
UW-Manitowoc – Betty Womack
UW-Marathon County – Mark Bradley
UW-Marinette – Michael Spector
UW-Marshfield/Wood County – Tom Loftus
UW-Richland – Brent Smith
UW-Rock County – José Vásquez
UW-Sheboygan – Danae Davis
UW-Washington County – John Drew
UW-Waukesha – Chuck Pruitt
UW-Extension Regent Liaisons
Judy Crain and Mike Falbo
For more information about the Regents, please visit their Web site.
For More Information
If you have questions about any of the items I've listed above, please let me know.
ONE FINAL NOTE
Thank you for the exceptional work you do. I continue to be impressed and amazed by the contributions our institutions make to improve the quality of life in Wisconsin.
Best regards,
David Wilson
Chancellor