UW-Green Bay, Chancellor, FYI, March 2007

	Growth Agenda: Your voice was heard! (But keep pushing the conversation) Greetings from Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin! As we turn the calendar to March, with a foot of fresh snow on the ground, it’s nice to know we’re nearing the time when Wisconsin’s most gorgeous campus makes its annual transition from winter wonderland to the beauty and new growth of springtime. This month also gives me an opportunity to talk about some positive developments for your UW-Green Bay that have been years in the making and will benefit our region for decades to come. On Monday, Feb. 12, Gov. Jim Doyle visited the UW-Green Bay campus to announce that his 2007-09 budget plan includes funding to support Northeastern Wisconsin’s Growth Agenda. This plan will provide the resources to grow UW-Green Bay so it can adequately serve one of the state’s most dynamic regions. It’s always an honor to have the governor — regardless of political party — visit the campus. It’s especially so when he comes with a commitment to helping the University create brighter futures for our students, our region, and our state. UW-Green Bay students, faculty, staff and community friends packed a room in the University Union to hear the governor talk about how more college graduates will fuel our region’s and state’s economies. The next evening, I had the privilege of joining the other UW System chancellors at the Capitol in Madison, in the gallery of the state Assembly, as Gov. Doyle unveiled his entire budget proposal. We were heartened to learn that he will support not only Northeastern Wisconsin’s Growth Agenda, but nearly all of the UW System’s plan for growth. UW System President Kevin Reilly greeted the budget plan by saying it will lead to a stronger economy for all Wisconsin taxpayers and more college opportunities for our state’s young people and working adults.		Community friends and UW-Green Bay student leaders were among those listening intently as Gov. Jim Doyle announced his support for the Growth Agenda during a campus visit last month. Many of you have heard me talk since 2002 about the pressing need for a larger UW-Green Bay. I have spoken with just about anyone who will listen about the necessity for additional resources that will permit the University to grow without sacrificing quality. But I can assure you that my voice is not the one that persuaded the governor to take note of this need and do something about it. That voice belongs to you, our community and private sector partners — from business leaders to community advocates — who have spoken clearly and consistently of the importance of growing UW-Green Bay. You have made clear to the governor that the University will help stimulate the region’s growth in the knowledge economy. You have made clear to him that the Growth Agenda is being driven by an economic and demographic transition taking place in our region. You have made clear to him that UW-Green Bay faces growing demand that can be met only by a larger university.
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