MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The UW System has proposed merging its 13 two-year campuses with seven nearby four-year campuses.
The plan calls for UW-Manitowoc, Marinette, and Sheboygan becoming part of UW-Green Bay and UW-Fond du Lac and Fox Valley becoming part of UW-Oshkosh.
Other changes can be seen on the image at the top of this story.
Officials say those changes would help avoid closing any two-year campuses, while keeping tuition down, increasing course offerings, and making it easier for students to transfer credits within the UW System.
System leaders hope the move will bolster two-year school enrollment, which has dropped 32% between 2010 and this fall.
Students would still be able to earn associate degrees, but they would come from the four-year schools.
UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andy Leavitt says the campuses would be integreated by July 2018.
“Then we would look at carefully rolling out new programs on each of the campuses. Our hope would be to start the new select four-year programs on the (Fond du Lac and Fox Valley) campuses after July 1.”
Leavitt feels it would be a great benefit for students on the current two-year campuses.
“A student could start up in the Fox Valley campus or down in Fond du Lac in an associates program, and it’s our hope they could remain on that campus to finish their baccalaureate, or they can transition over to the Oshkosh campus.”
Leavitt believes it would also open doors for current UW-Oshkosh students.
“The institution will have a much larger footprint and therefore, a greater degree of interaction with the business community.”
Leavitt believes that will help students in finding both internships and careers.
The Board of Regents will consider the proposal at its November meeting.
