PHOTO: Courtesy of UWO
MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The chair of the Board of Trustees would like a professional appraisal done of the UW-Oshkosh-Fox Cities campus so the counties have a better understanding of their assets they will have once the school closes next spring.
The Universities of Wisconsin has been closing many of the two-year campuses, citing declining enrollment. The Fond du Lac location closed this spring, and in-person learning has ended in Marinette. The Menasha campus will close in spring 2025. UWO projects the enrollment at the Fox Cities campus would be less than 100 students by 2032.
Winnebago and Outagamie counties manage and own the UWO-Fox Cities site, and have a Board of Trustees which assists in management of the facility. Winnebago County Supv. Tom Swan is chair of the panel.
The board’s next meeting is July 29. A new agenda item was added Monday, asking for a real property appraisal of the 20-acre campus.
“We want a document in place that will help us make a decision down the road,” Swan said. “We want that document to define that asset.”
The appraisal would include information on market value, best use, and general definition of the spaces on campus. It is not a reaction to any specific offers or plans, Swan said.
He would like it to include separate assessments of the various facilities on campus, including the Barlow Planetarium, Weis Earth Science Museum, Communications Arts Center and University Children’s Center.
If approved by the trustees Monday, the two county boards would be asked to approve and fund the appraisal project. Swan did not have an estimate for how much it may cost.
Directors of those auxiliary centers will address the trustees Monday about their operations, budget needs, and future plans.
The meeting is at 1 p.m. Monday, on campus, 1478 Midway Road. It is currently scheduled for Room 1553, but may be moved to a larger space to accommodate possible public comments and interest, Swan said.
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