Chancellor's Office

Chancellor's Communiqué

June 2009

Updates from Chancellor David Wilson

Dear Colleagues:

Our Year

As the 2008-2009 academic and fiscal year comes to a close, I know the first inclination may be to reflect on the state`s and UW`s budget challenges. And while I don`t dismiss those challenges as very real and serious ones, I do want to point out some of our accomplishments this past year because they show our vibrancy and steadfastness in doing what we do best in the UW Colleges and UW-Extension – educating the public and transforming lives. A few noteworthy achievements include:

Enrolling 13,200 students in the UW Colleges this year, the largest number in history
Serving more than 1.6 million Wisconsin residents in UW-Extension, a 10 percent increase over last year
Launching the first online degree in sustainable management in the nation, through UW Extension`s Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning, in collaboration with UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior
Keeping tuition in the UW Colleges frozen at 2006 levels, making it more affordable for students to gain access to a UW education
The UW Colleges winning national recognition from The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the best places to work in higher education in the United States

Yes, this past year has been a very good one for the UW Colleges and UW-Extension. As I sat through commencement ceremonies at UW-Marshfield/Wood County and UW-Sheboygan, I couldn`t help but get goose bumps as student after student walked across the stage, picked up his/her associate degree and the presenter proudly announced the UW four-year institution to which they were transferring. Those goose bumps were the result of several conversations I had with students before the ceremonies, and the compelling stories they told me of their quest to go to college. I saw first-time, college-going students beaming with sheer joy with their families in tow; including moms and dads with full-time jobs, determined to set a good example for their children. I heard faculty after faculty member come to the podium and extol the academic achievements of these students. These faculty members were like proud parents who had taken many so-called diamonds in the rough and watched them become gems. I know this same scenario played out on every one of our campuses.

This past year also offered me an opportunity to continue experiencing our transformational programs in Cooperative Extension, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, CEOEL, and the outstanding educational programming of public broadcasting.

I have visited dairy farms, small businesses, and continuing education units; attended numerous county-based meetings and participated in several community planning sessions offered by Cooperative Extension. I have been in the trenches with scores of young people in our 4-H Youth Development Programs. The message given to me by partners and recipients of our programs is that they highly value what we bring to the table. So, in these times of some economic uncertainty, I know most of you are being called upon to do even more since many of the clients we serve in UW-Extension are those hit hardest by the recession.

I remain optimistic that better times are on the horizon, and I will continue my advocacy for increased support to the two UW System institutions that give energy every day to the Wisconsin Idea.

I am constantly reminded of what I heard years ago from a high school teacher who was trying to motivate all of us to think of school as our savior. She said, " School is a place that has four walls with tomorrow inside." For years, I clung to that belief, but, with all due respect to my former teacher, she never met the faculty and staff in the UW Colleges and UW-Extension who turn that definition on its head. Collectively, you reach hundreds of thousands of people every year, be they in a classroom with four walls, an open-air classroom, an on-air classroom, or a web-based classroom.

Yes, in the current economic climate we might have lost some financial benefits, but we have gained so much by making tomorrow possible for many students, residents and communities in Wisconsin.

"On the Road Again... Goin` places that I`ve never been..."

I feel just like that old Willie Nelson song. I`ve visited seventy-one of the seventy-two County Extension offices, and all of the tribal nations where we have a presence. Whew! I am almost there. Recently, I had great visits at the Crawford and Vernon County Extension offices, met more colleagues, and learned firsthand about the great programming they offer county residents. In the coming year, I will reflect on my county and campus visits, and discuss in more detail how the UW Colleges and UW-Extension can move closer to realizing our vision of maximum access. Stay tuned.

"Seein` all the best of friends..."

On June 14, I traveled to the annual Wisconsin Associated County Extension Committees, Inc., (WACEC) Conference, in La Crosse. WACEC District 5 and UW-Extension Western District colleagues hosted this extremely rewarding and informational conference. Kudos for a job well done.

This conference included breakout sessions on critical issues facing county governments, seminars with excellent presenters, educational field trips, a well-designed town hall meeting, live and silent auctions to raise funds for the Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD), and an annual awards program. My sense is that all left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to finding solutions to some difficult problems that lie ahead.

WACEC President Colleen Bates moderated an informal panel discussion that highlighted UW-Extension`s impact on individuals` lives and careers. The panel included two 4-H Club members, a volunteer leader with a tremendous educational program called "Reality Check" for high school seniors, and the local superintendent of schools. Each participant gave a glowing account of the positive impact our educational programs had on them, their families, and their communities. I could not have been more proud hearing their resounding affirmation of how relevant we are.

Professor and Community Development Specialist Andy Lewis, from UW-Extension`s Center for Community and Economic Development, provided an illuminating presentation on Wisconsin`s mortgage crisis at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/documents/WACEC_final.pdf.

In sum, this conference presented several superb examples of the outstanding work being performed by UW-Extension`s Cooperative Extension. It also enabled me to visit with county board supervisors/executives to listen to local concerns and express our sincere appreciation for the ongoing collaborative partnership we`ve enjoyed, a partnership that continues to work well.

UW-Sheboygan`s University Library to Receive 2009 Library of the Year Award

Each year, one Wisconsin library receives The Wisconsin Library Association`s (WLA) Library of the Year Award for distinguished achievement in service. We just found out that this year`s recipient will be the UW-Sheboygan University Library!

Major congratulations go to Library Director Jeff Ellair, and team members Amy Mussell and Karen McArdle. I want to publicly thank ACUITY, the UW-Sheboygan Foundation, the Sheboygan County Board of Supervisors and the local taxpayers for their contributions to help make this state-of-the-art library possible.

The award originated in 1955 and this is the first time that a UW Colleges library has been recognized. It has been presented to public libraries, school libraries, public library systems, and universities, but only nine times to a higher education institution. In October 2009, the award will be officially presented to Jeff Ellair and a contingent from the Sheboygan County Board, ACUITY Foundation, the UW-Sheboygan Foundation and the campus.

UW-Richland Student Lisa Braun Receives UW System Award

Lisa Braun is one of three undergraduate student winners in the fourth annual UW System Liberal Arts Essay Scholarship Competition. Each student receives a $2,000 scholarship to help fund the remainder of his or her undergraduate education. Our congratulations go out to Lisa. She is a shining example of how UW Colleges` faculty and staff are helping transform minds and putting individuals on a smooth path to the realization of their dreams and goals.

UW-Marinette Colleague Jim Buschman Saves Girl`s Life

The Marinette County Sheriff`s Department has called off the search for a missing Lena man after 15 divers were unable to find him in Montana Lake near Coleman, Wisconsin. Forty-seven-year-old Richard Moeller has not been seen since May when he was canoeing with his daughter. He apparently fell out of the canoe, and his seven-year-old daughter jumped in to save him but was unable to do so. The girl was left floating in the middle of the lake. Luckily, Jim Buschman, UW-Marinette HVAC mechanic, was fishing nearby and heard her screams for help. He was able to get Rachel Moeller to safety. He says she was very cold, and thinks she was probably in the water a long time. Rachel is recovering and her family credits Jim with saving her life.

Recent visits to Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

I`ve also been visiting our Small Business Development Centers at UW System four-year campuses with UW-Extension Provost/Vice Chancellor Christine Quinn. I continue to be impressed with the high quality of service performed within these centers by enormously talented professionals. Each day, Wisconsin residents tap into SBDC resources with questions about new or established businesses and get innovative ideas for business start-ups. Last year, the SBDCs helped create more than 1,300 business plans and 561 business start-ups and expansions. They also created almost 2,000 jobs and retained 2,649 existing jobs around the state, generating more than $52 million in revenues.

Surprise: Project Lead the Way Award

On April 28, UW System President Kevin Reilly and I were honored and surprised to receive a Project Lead the Way certificate of commendation at the State Capitol from Gov. James Doyle for our leadership in advancing Project Lead the Way science admissions credit within the UW System. Project Lead the Way is a nationally acclaimed interdisciplinary, pre-engineering program that provides middle and high school students with 21st century skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) needed to succeed in a globalized economy.

I applaud Greg Hutchins and our 4-H staff for the good work being done to imbue youth around the state with STEM education through Gateway Academies. These academies are day camps that inspire students going into grades seven through nine to explore STEM disciplines and to consider career opportunities in these important fields. This summer, with continued support from the Kern Family Foundation, the program more than doubles last year`s with 22 Gateway Academy camps at host middle schools in 22 Wisconsin counties. This will mean 26 weeks of opportunities for 500 students to learn more about STEM.

Wisconsin Higher Education Business Roundtable (WHEBR) Appoints Advocates

Recently, I was appointed one of two advocates for WHEBR – an organization dedicated to promoting a world-class university system capable of providing Wisconsin`s students, citizens, government, and businesses with the educational, research, and developmental resources they need to secure Wisconsin`s economic vitality and sustain its unique quality of life. A recent resolution sent by WHEBR to UW System President Kevin Reilly states the group's views and provides a list of its members. WHEBR`s other advocate is UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Rick Wells.

Biennial Budget Update

The State Legislature has completed its action on the 2009-11 state budget and Governor Doyle signed it into law yesterday. The new budget takes effect July 1. See Governor Doyle’s veto message.

Let me recap what this budget means for the UW System and its impact on UW-Extension and the UW Colleges. The UW System will see a $120 million base budget cut in general purpose revenue (GPR) during the next two years. And, as you are aware, mandated employee furloughs require that all employees take 16 days of unpaid leave during the biennium and a previously approved pay increase was eliminated.

The budget impacts important to UW-Colleges and UW-Extension are:

Base budget reductions: UW Colleges and UW-Extension`s share of the reduction is $5.1 million and $7.1 million respectively.

One percent across-the-board reduction: This reduction affects most of the UW System`s non-federal appropriations. The reduction does not apply to federal, gift or tuition funds. UW Colleges and UW-Extension`s share of the reduction is $733,490 and $712,716 for general-purpose revenue (GPR) funds. The one percent across-the-board cut for program revenue (PR) for UW Colleges and UW-Extension is $251,384 and $245,864 respectively.

Auxiliary Reserve Balances Transfer: Auxiliary funds are monies from non-academic sources. The state budget requires all UW System institutions to transfer funds from their auxiliary reserves to The Wisconsin Higher Education Grant Program (WHEG), a source of financial aid grants. The UW Colleges will transfer $308,600 and UW-Extension will transfer $1.7 million.

Two percent pay plan repeal: The June 2009 pay plan increases were rescinded for all unclassified and non-represented classified staff. While unions representing the classified staff have not agreed to rescind this negotiated pay plan increase, the cut in each agency`s appropriation will be equal to the amount that would be derived if all employees, including the represented classified staff, were affected. Impact on the UW Colleges and UW-Extension is $804,003 and $892,960 less funding, respectively.

State employee furlough: Employee furloughs of 16 days during the biennium represent a cut exceeding $30 million annually for the UW System. The reduction does not apply to federal, gift or tuition funds, but individuals paid by these funds are still expected to take furlough days. UW Colleges and UW-Extension will return approximately $1.10 million and $1.27 million in GPR to the state relating to the furloughs.

An amendment to expand the collaborative engineering degree with UW-Platteville to UW-Washington County and UW-Sheboygan was well-received by many state legislators. They appreciated our success rate and in-state job opportunities. Unfortunately, even with a successful model, the amendment did not prevail primarily because of the state`s current economy.

Thank you to all who testified at Joint Finance Committee hearings, wrote letters, and/or contacted their state legislators about supporting this amendment.

Yet, the state budget does offer some opportunities for UW System students and employees. They include:

Need-based financial aid for students in the amount of $17.3 million. Together with higher federal aid, this will protect students from tuition increases if they have need and come from families earning up to the state`s median family income of $60,000/year.
Recruitment and retention of UW System high-demand faculty, research, academic staff, and instructional academic staff: $5 million in GPR and PR (program revenue) in the first year and $10 million in the second year.
Domestic partnership retirement and group insurance benefits were approved as proposed by the governor for all state employees, including UW faculty and academic staff. These will be effective January 1, 2010.
Collective bargaining: The governor`s recommendation was approved, giving faculty and academic staff the right to vote to bargain collectively over wages, hours, and conditions of employment. A partial veto by the governor removed the provision that would allow for the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission to assign faculty and staff to a collective bargaining unit.
Children of undocumented persons who attend Wisconsin high schools for at least three years and graduate or receive a high school graduation equivalency declaration from this state will now be eligible for resident tuition rates at UW System campuses and Wisconsin technical colleges.
Conflict of interest for UW System employees: UW System employees are able to enter into contracts up to $250,000 with research companies who do business with any UW System institution upon approval of the Board of Regents rather than the attorney general. The previous cap was $75,000.

New Budget Impacts Web Site

A new Budget Impacts web site archives all my communications on the state and university budget process, links to the various committees and task forces within our institutions working on various matters related to the impacts of the state budget, and will be a place where we include information related to furloughs. Please visit the site and bookmark it for your future reference. To view information about the actual state budget process and the latest information, see the Government Relations web site at http://www.uwex.uwc.edu/government.

Furlough Update

More information will be posted on a UW System web site soon. As soon as that is posted, we will let you know. Also, please continue to check the OSER web site for updated FAQs and information regarding the furlough program at http://oser.state.wi.us/furloughs. This web site will be continually updated as information becomes available.

UW Online: On the Fast Track for Development

A new UW System business enterprise, UW Online, will be created through a joint venture with UW-Extension`s Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning (CEOEL) division and UW Colleges Online to support online degree offerings for UW System. The UW Colleges Online associate degree will serve as the foundational curriculum. UW Online will facilitate the creation of other online bachelor`s and master`s degrees and professional certificates with curriculum being provided by comprehensive and doctoral institutions within the UW System. Degrees and certificates from other UW campuses will be integrated into UW Online as campuses choose to participate.

UW Online will promote a broad portfolio of programs. Adult place-bound learners and historically underserved populations will be the primary audiences. Programs will be developed to address specific market niches and will be marketed nationally in areas underserved by higher education. UW Colleges Online currently enrolls more than 2,000 students. Collaborative programs already exist with UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior.

Board of Regents Elect New Officers for 2009-2011

At their June meeting in Madison, the UW System Board of Regents unanimously elected Regent Charles Pruitt of Milwaukee as president of the Board, succeeding Regent President Mark Bradley. Pruitt, who has been on the Board since 2003, has served as Board vice president for the last two years. Regent Michael J. Spector of Milwaukee was unanimously elected as the new vice president. Spector has been a board member since 2005. Also, Governor Jim Doyle appointed Aaron Wingad, a junior at UW-Eau Claire, to be a Student Regent. Wingad replaces outgoing Student Regent Colleene Thomas. Regent Wingad has already been traveling around the state visiting various UW-Extension county offices and UW Colleges campuses to become better informed about our institutions. For more information about Regent Wingad, see Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.

UWC/UW-Ext. Director of Workforce, Equity, and Diversity Search Under Way

The Search and Screen Committee has received its charge this past week for a thorough but speedy search for a new director. I hope to have this position filled by the end of the year.

New Training Web Sites for Employees

A number of trainings for faculty and staff have been delivered during the past year via distance education. They are available now on the new Trainings web site under Human Resources at www.uwex.uwc.edu/hr/. Trainings posted thus far include:

Digitized Regents Minutes

The Board of Regents now has 70 years` worth of digitized meeting minutes, materials, and photographs, dating from 1921 to 1991 at www.uwsa.edu/bor/minutes/. Board meeting minutes and materials from 1991 to the present are also available there. Together, these two collections provide students, scholars, and world citizens a remarkable and detailed history of the development of the University of Wisconsin from one four-year campus in Madison to a statewide system of 26 campuses annually serving more than 173,000 students and more than one million Wisconsin residents through UW-Extension.

Strategic Priorities Poster/Brochure

You should have recently received our new Strategic Priorities brochure/poster. Please take a moment to review our mission and vision on the front cover. Inside the brochure, the centerfold poster describes the framework of our strategic plan, which simply states: IDEAS. Each letter in IDEAS stands for a UW Colleges and UW-Extension strategic priority. Please be familiar with these and post the brochure in a visible location. If you need more copies, please call Peg Davis at 608-262-3253.

Flu Monitoring Web Site

A new Flu Monitoring web site has been developed and is available in the upper right hand corner of our joint Colleges and Extension web site www.uwex.uwc.edu. At this time, Wisconsin has the largest number of H1N1 flu cases. Information on this web site is important to prevent the spread of the flu. Please become familiar with the web site as a resource.

UW-Related News Articles

If you would like to receive newspaper articles about the UW Colleges, UW-Extension and the University of Wisconsin System, employees can subscribe to the daily electronic News Clips. Subscribers are able to receive both the UW Colleges/UW-Extension News Clips and the UW System Clipsheet.

On a Final Note

Though times are challenging for many of us and particularly those we serve, I am gratified to see that your passion and commitment to our work are as vibrant and strong as ever. We will continue to work together to find creative and innovative ways to provide maximum access to university resources for Wisconsin residents, and to seek greater public and private investments.

Warm regards,

David

University of Wisconsin-Extension

University of Wisconsin Colleges