OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As finals week is underway at UW-Oshkosh, Chancellor Andrew Leavitt is beginning to say goodbye as he leaves his post as leader of the university, effective June 30.
Leavitt says UWO’s budget deficit will soon be no more.
“As we cross over July 1, the budget we have submitted for consideration no longer contains a structural deficit,” Leavitt said.
That deficit previously sat at $18 million back in 2023. To eliminate the deficit, campus leadership had to make difficult decisions.
“Those were horrendous decisions, absolutely horrendous decisions, that had to be made,” said Leavitt during a farewell event on campus Wednesday.
Some of those moves included furloughs, a workforce reduction and academic restructuring. UWO is also outsourcing the University Bookstore — which some students are still critical of.
“It was just a really unfortunate event, and I kind of just hope the new chancellor chooses not to make any mistakes like this again,” said UWO sophomore Anthony Balboa.
“I’ve met these challenges always head on. I’ve met them with compassion, armed with as many facts,” said Leavitt.
Work will continue to maintain a healthy financial future, as UWO looks ahead to its era under the leadership of new chancellor, Manohar Singh.
Students are eager to learn more about Singh.
“I’ve heard that he’s a really nice guy and has a great connection with students from where he was before, so I’m excited to see what he brings to this campus,” said sophomore Maddy Pedersen.
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