Why UW-Whitewater

UW-WHITEWATER WILL RALLY TO MEET BUDGET CHALLENGES

By Richard J. Telfer

Recently I had the opportunity to speak to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus community about the challenges we face in light of the state’s $5.7 billion budget shortfall. As a state-supported campus, we receive about $55 million or 24 percent of our money from the state of Wisconsin. Because of this shortfall we will need to reduce about $7.5 million from our next two budget years.

While this will not be a painless exercise for our campus, we also realize that the state and nation are in an economic crisis that will require all of us to make significant sacrifices. I am working closely with the Chancellor’s staff and our campus-wide Strategic Planning and Budget Committee to accomplish these necessary cuts in ways that maintain our commitment to providing an excellent educational experience to all of our students.

We must reduce approximately $5 million in the 2009-2010 budget. This includes money that was paid by students and others for specific purposes. These are going to be difficult reductions to make and will affect all students, faculty and staff. Students will likely see increase in tuition and other fees. Class sections could be eliminated and there may be changes in staffing. But we must move forward with our mission and not let the economic conditions cloud our view of the future. I am confident we will find a way to satisfy Gov. Jim Doyle’s requests for state agencies and still fulfill our mission.

Like Gov. Doyle and UW System President Kevin Reilly, I truly believe that providing the residents of Wisconsin with exceptional higher educational choices and quality degrees will help the long-term economic development of this great state. We will be a better Wisconsin when more people earn undergraduate degrees and are prepared to face the challenges of a changing economy.

Even with these significant budget reductions, UW-Whitewater will move forward and continue making substantial contributions to the regional economy. Our Small Business Development Center has already established a strong relationship with Forward Janesville and opened a satellite office to provide easier access to clients needing business counseling services.

During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, UW-Whitewater received nearly $6 million in grant money. These funds help support myriad programs on campus, many that touch area communities.

For example:

• The Wisconsin Center for Information Technology Services (Wi-CITS) provides technical services to clients. Wi-CITS, a student-run organization, creates Web sites and support for area businesses.
• The UW-Whitewater Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic last year helped approximately 250 qualified taxpayers with free tax assistance and educational workshops. We anticipate that this service will see an increase in demand.
• Project SWEETT: Southeastern Wisconsin Excellence in Education through Teacher Training provides support and training for teachers who work with students who have limited English skills.
• The Fiscal and Economic Research Center provides economic research expertise to the region. Currently the center is developing a statewide database on home foreclosures.
• A grant project focuses on empowering the public to make well-informed decisions that respect local economies and the environment.

UW-Whitewater is partnering with the City of Whitewater in the development of the Whitewater University Technology Park that, once complete, will provide an innovation center and space for new high-tech businesses and research opportunities.

Our campus is also committed to a greater level of environmental sustainability. We’ve replaced parking lot lights with more environmentally friendly and economical LED lights, we’re emphasizing the value of recycling to students, faculty and staff and we’re working on many other projects that in the future may save significant money in terms of utility and other costs.

In the coming weeks we will begin to address the specific areas of the campus budgets that will be reduced. I am under no illusions that this will be an easy process. But we are a campus that rallies to solve problems. We will come together again to do what the governor and the legislature ask of us while still giving back to the region.

Richard J. Telfer is chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.