FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – UW-Oshkosh’s Fond Du Lac campus is only months away from closing.
UW System President Jay Rothman made the announcement last year, citing a lack of interest. But a new agreement with a nearby technical college will make it easier for students to stay right in Fond du Lac.
This new program allows them to seamlessly transition just across the street to Moraine Park Technical College.
“It’s really a win-win for all the local students here who want to continue their education locally,” Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald said
Baerwald said it came together when UWO officials approached them with the idea.
“If there’s anything we could do for the existing UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac campus students in regards to helping those students who are place bound or don’t have the interest or opportunity to finish their associates degrees by traveling.”
It lets students finish their two-year associate programs and guarantees the transfer of all their credits to the main Oshkosh campus.
“Students and different leaders in the community were asking us what could we do differently in an agreement and arrangement in UW-Oshkosh to help those students with their transition,” Baerwald said.
The difference between the two schools is only about a half mile.
“That 30 minute drive or 20 minute drive, it may not seem like a lot, but for some people who don’t have the ability, this was their ability,” UWO Fond du Lac Student Matthew Caine said. “So I think there will be interest.”
Caine plans to head to Oshkosh a year earlier than he was hoping. However, he believes it will benefit others.
“Nothing bad about the tech college ever, because they do a really good job over there too. I’m glad it’s an option,” Caine said.
Though, he said it’s not a perfect outcome.
“But UW Fond du Lac here offers a UW education, which is really the reason why I petitioned,” Caine said.
After the announcement last fall, Caine created an online petition that garnered over 200 signatures. While it didn’t stop the closure from happening, it’s also not stopping him from making the most of the remaining time.
“Different activities to really get the students engaged for this last semester,” Caine said. “Everybody’s really enjoying, I am at least. The campus is still alive and well.”
An estimated 243 students went to Fond du Lac last fall. The latest available data shows an enrollment of just over 5,000 at Moraine Park.
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