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Student
stars show the reason we’re here On April 16, one hundred of our finest students turned the Phoenix Room into a showcase of the best of UW-Green Bay. Their exhibits — displaying research from “rIr2 Fusion Proteins in E. Coli” to “Ethical Challenges Facing Healthcare Workers” to “Oconto County Quality of Life Survey,” and dozens of others — spanned nearly every academic major. I applaud our students and their faculty mentors for outstanding research and creative work. This event emphasizes connections made between campus and community, and the fact our students pursue practical problem-solving at an advanced level. The Symposium is tailor-made for UW-Green Bay. Founders Association celebrates 30 years On May 21, UW System President Katharine Lyall will be the special guest as we gather with members of our Founders Association to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this special organization. I am sure President Lyall will extend to Founders members her deepest appreciation, and I suspect she’ll tell them that, given the trend toward state disinvestment in higher education, private support is ever more critical. I also suspect she will note — and for this we can all be proud — that even at the national level few if any partnerships, particularly involving a young institution, outshine that of the Founders Association and Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin. According to one calculation, UW-Green Bay support from private donors has amounted to roughly $40 million over our first three decades. That’s worth celebrating, and history worth repeating. ‘Connecting learning to life’ connects with people Last month we unveiled “Connecting learning to life” as the central theme of our marketing and communication efforts. Early response has been favorable, both on campus and off. I spoke to the Rotary Club last week and, afterward, people sought me out. More than being polite, they shared compliments such as “sounds like a perfect fit” and “excellent choice.” A few days later we hosted the annual gathering of Alumni Association past presidents. Their input is important — they feel a strong sense of ownership — and I assured them “Connecting” is simply a reaffirmation of what their UW-Green Bay is, has been and always will be. We are not changing the mission but, simply, attempting to articulate it even more powerfully. Again, the response was very positive. Commencement will set a record May provides great opportunities to celebrate what we do. We’ll have about 700 reasons to celebrate on May 24 at Spring Commencement. That’s the number of graduating seniors, the most we’ve ever had. A record number of graduates means a record number of success stories, a record number of faculty and staff friends who deserve “thank-yous,” and a record number of graduation gatherings. This is a special weekend. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaTOP OF NEXT COLUMN |
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An update on the budget bill It was a somber gathering in late April when I hosted a budget briefing for members of the University community. Details are available on the Web (http://www.uwgb.edu/chancellor/index.htm); the loss involves 16 FTE positions, about $2.3 million over the biennium, and lost or reduced services across campus. Our priority is to manage major cuts without major disruption, at least in terms of protecting our long-term capacity to serve our students and region. I think we can do that, but as the Legislative process moves forward, three things have to happen: 1) A one-fourth cut in public funding of the UW System, already massive at $250 mil lion, can go no deeper; 2) Tuition increases that will help offset those cuts must remain in place; and 3) A permanent funding source must be found for increases in student financial aid. UW-Green Bay enjoys solid support from its local legislative delegation. Run through the list — Senators Rob Cowles and Dave Hansen (alumni of this institution) and Alan Lasee, Assembly Speaker John Gard, Representatives Judy Krawczyk, Phil Montgomery, Frank Lasee (also an alumnus), Karl Van Roy, Becky Weber, John Ainsworth and Al Ott — and you find people from both parties who appreciate what we do for this region. We are working closely with them. We will also be calling upon campus colleagues and friends in the community to continue to advocate on our behalf. Phuture Phoenix Day was phenomenal Even as we wrestle with budget reductions, I am optimistic about the future. Why? There are any number of reasons, but one worth mentioning is our first Phuture Phoenix Day, held April 22. The idea was to get local 5th graders out to tour the campus. Research shows that if we want to expand the diversity pipeline and opportunities for potential first-generation college students, these “tweens” are at an age we need to reach. We did reach them. It was a joyous day of exploration for the children, the parents who tagged along, the teachers, our own students who served as guides, and the faculty and staff members who opened their classrooms and offices. The photographs (some on the Web at www.uwgb.edu) offer proof, and the smiles don’t lie. We’re making a new generation of friends for UW-Green Bay and, we hope, new leaders for this community. In closing, I can’t arrive at the conclusion of another academic year without taking a moment to thank all of you who contribute to making the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay such an excellent academic institution. From faculty and staff to Founders members to Phuture Phoenix volunteers to Academic Symposium exhibitors, you make a difference. Thank you, Bruce  Bruce Shepard |
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