(WTAQ-WLUK) — Included in Governor Tony Evers’ budget pitch to state lawmakers is an increase of more than $855 million in state funding over the next biennium for the Universities of Wisconsin.
During his budget address Tuesday, Evers called it a “make-or-break budget” for UW campuses.
The system has called this increase in funding necessary to ensure affordability and accessibility for students.
“If we are going to believe that Wisconsin can win the war for talent, can maintain its economic viability and be as good as it can be, then investment into the Universities of Wisconsin is the best way to get there,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman.
The UW System experienced a lot of change just in 2024 alone. Six branch campuses in the system have either closed, announced plans to close or transitioned to online-only courses, mainly due to declining enrollment.
The latest to fall is UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities in Menasha. It will cease to exist following the completion of the current spring semester.
If the legislature were to approve the full amount the system has asked for, UW officials say they would not look into further campus closures or recommend any additional tuition increases over the next two years.
“Obviously, if we don’t get the investment, we’re going to have to take some more difficult steps, which I don’t think are in the best interest of the state,” said Rothman.
Republicans like Dean Kaufert of Neenah agree the system has a huge impact on preparing students for future jobs in the state, but they are weary of granting the full budget ask.
“Kids want to go to the Universities of Wisconsin schools, and employers want and need Universities of Wisconsin graduates, so there’s a balancing act. But the governor is [proposing] spending an awful lot of money on this,” said Kaufert.
GOP leaders have questioned the number of administration jobs within the UW system. Rothman says they’re not looking at adding more administrative roles.
“If you take Madison out of the equation, since 2018, we have reduced the number of employees by nearly 1,000 people,” said Rothman. “When you look at Madison in particular, a lot of the positions that are funded are not being funded by the state of Wisconsin. They are being funded by federal research grants.”
The legislature will be carefully looking into the budget over the coming months and Kaufert does add there’s room for negotiations.
In his budget request, Evers also proposed nearly $60 million to support the state’s technical colleges.
