OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – FOX 11 has learned which campus buildings UW-Oshkosh could potentially discontinue and demolish amid an ongoing budget deficit battle.
Four buildings could be on the chopping block. Those structures include Donner, Webster, and Radford Halls — as well as the Gruenhagen Conference Center.
Donner, built in 1962, and Webster, which was built in 1957, have both been used as residence halls for students.
Dylan Steenis recently finished up his freshman year on campus. While he didn’t live in any of these buildings, he’s quite familiar with Donner Hall.
“Every time I’ve been there, it always seemed like it was only half full. Like, there were plenty of rooms that just, you could tell had nobody in there,” said Steenis.
Radford Hall, built in the 1950s, was initially built to house students, but currently serves as the student health center.
For the Gruenhagen building, built in 1966, it has partially served as a residence hall, and the other half for conferences. The building has also been used to house EAA AirVenture spectators come the summer.
Dick Knapinski, spokesperson for EAA, tells FOX 11 UW-Oshkosh has kept them in the loop about their plans.
He adds campus officials have assured them the same number of rooms would be made available to spectators in the future, even if the University ultimately knocks down the complex.
UW-Oshkosh told FOX 11 this week they have more work to do to plan and earn approvals through the Universities of Wisconsin, which through policies on campus facility removal, coordinates with the Department of Administration.
The possible removal of these buildings comes as UWO faces a $7.6 million budget deficit.
UWO has said its structural deficit should be eliminated by the end of its 2026 fiscal year. The University believes if the buildings ultimately go, it could save them on utilities and other costs. It’s unclear when a decision could be reached.
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