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The
freeze, temporary though it was, provoked some criticism. I want to emphasize
that this was not a political ploy. Enrollment demand has increased rapidly, and we want to serve these prospective students. But, we also have a primary obligation to those students who are already here. The $2 million cut would have meant fewer classes. If we did not make plans to reduce enrollments, then students would not have been able to get the classes they need to graduate in a timely fashion. I hope that, soon, the angst will be history, legislators and the governor will have come together to support full access to our world-class higher education system, and we at UWGB can turn to what we are best at: providing students an education for a lifetime. In the short run, we'll make the hard choices to position ourselves for tomorrow. In the long run, the recession will recede, UWGB will flourish, and grow. As it should. I was encouraged by the Legislative budget hearing on campus March 21. Speaker after speaker gave clear indication that this state’s public universities including UWGB are still held in high regard. The UW System is seen as part of the solution, not the problem. Rick Beverstein of our Founders Association was among those who testified. His remarks went to the heart of the matter: the state’s annual allocation of more than $25 million toward this campus is an absolute bargain. I agree. Taxpayer support accounts for 38 percent of our annual spending. Tuition revenue, auxiliaries and private support from the Founders and others provide the balance. Measure the state’s share against an annual economic impact of, conservatively, $250 million — applying the multiplier to payroll, purchasing and student spending — and then try to account for intangibles including the cultural and quality-of-life amenities. Add the fact that a college degree adds about one million dollars to the lifetime earnings of a college graduate. That’s an investment with an incredible rate of return. It makes a strong case for public support of UW-Green Bay. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaTOP OF NEXT COLUMN |
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There
is, of course, even a stronger case and many of you have heard me make it. It
is simply this: The distinctive UWGB education — practical problem-solving,
community engagement and, above all, the capacity to look at issues from multiple
perspectives — is the only way we can really prepare people for careers and
challenges that, today, we do not even know. It is, in my way of thinking, providing
an education for a lifetime. That is the biggest payoff. As I’ve mentioned already to people here on campus, it’s clear the community has a vision for UW-Green Bay. They want us to be a part of the community. That also means, they say, that we need to be larger. We’re serving a region with one-half million people. I have floated a long-term vision that this University grow to 7,500 students. Feedback has been positive. Our enrollment has stayed near 5,000 for nearly a quarter century while the region and its needs have grown rapidly around us. With the current budget situation, we may in fact have to take a step backward (in terms of overall size) to maintain educational quality for our current students. I ask only that those of you who support UW-Green Bay recognize that this need only be a temporary step... if we maintain our commitment to maximizing this institution’s potential to serve and connect with Northeast Wisconsin. Stay engaged. In closing, I'll touch upon several topics I intend to address with you in the near future: • There has been wonderful discussion in recent months (on the UWGBTeach list-serve) about how our faculty and staff members view general education and our innovative brand of liberal arts education. As a university, we have already re-examined our admissions criteria; we are doing the same with general education. These are exciting and important times. • Recently I had a wonderful opportunity to visit some of the friends who have historically provided important support, UWGB's "margin of excellence." I am delighted to report that these partnerships are strong and vigorous; I am gratified to learn just how many friends we have who want to help in tangible ways. • The Intercollegiate Athletics program is much in the news. We have strong sports programs here. We are committed to maintaining that strength. More later. Best wishes,  Bruce Shepard |
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