MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With the Universities of Wisconsin under a microscope now more than ever, a state legislative study committee is examining the future of the UW System to better preserve public higher education in the state.
Thursday was the first meeting for the 2024 Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the University of Wisconsin System.
“I see an oversaturation of the system. Of all colleges in Wisconsin, I would even say nationally,” said Shauna Froelich, a UW-Green Bay professor who is a member of the committee, during the meeting.
The study committee consists of 18 members including state lawmakers and members of the public with ties to the Universities of Wisconsin.
Bob Atwell, who resigned as a member of the UW Board of Regents last month, is also a member.
“Our participation rates are low. There’s all kinds of questions too about the level of public trust in the way the institutions are being run,” said Atwell in an interview with FOX 11. “My feeling is, the best thing to do is to really face these things.”
The committee will be tasked with evaluating the demographics and needs of the Universities of Wisconsin. They will eventually make recommendations to the state legislature.
Funding from the state has been hotly debated — and committee members recognize it’s impossible to ignore the recent closures of two-year campuses, most recently the decision to close the UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus.
FOX 11 reached out to the Universities of Wisconsin for comment. We received a statement that reads:
The Universities of Wisconsin are an incredible asset for all Wisconsinites. However, we are facing significant challenges — especially that Wisconsin has significantly fallen behind in public funding nationally, ranking 43 out of 50 states.
The UWs are steadfast, in accordance with our strategic plan, in adapting to a rapidly changing higher education environment and are hopeful we can receive the public support that provides opportunities all Wisconsin students deserve and their parents expect.
We appreciate the interest and involvement of all participants on the study committee on the future of higher education in Wisconsin.
“Everybody wants more money, don’t they? So, I do think that that will be a subject that we approach in this committee. It won’t be the only subject that we talk about, but, there’s a good amount of debate as to whether that statement holds water,” said State Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie), who chairs the committee.
“We need to make sure that we’re adequately putting the investment forward for the future of our students and making sure that our institutions across the state, in Green Bay, Madison, Superior, Parkside, they’re all being supported in the ways that they need to be,” said State Rep. Alex Joers (D-Middleton), who is also on the committee.
With the committee set to meet several more times, members say they’re going to continue having an open mind moving forward. Right now, the committee is aiming to hold its next meeting Aug. 1.
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