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few short weeks ago I almost dreaded having to open the school year with
Convocation’s annual “State of UWGB” speech and what is
traditionally an upbeat summary and forecast for the year ahead. I wasn’t
sure I could do “upbeat.” The summer of 2005 was a long and hot one for the UW System. At UW-Green Bay we thought our assignment was difficult enough in spring when we had to identify service and staff cuts worth $843,000 as our share of the Governor’s biennial budget reductions. When the Legislature took up the Governor’s proposal, however, the System fared even worse. The potential hit for UWGB went from $843,000 to $1 million to $1.6 million to a nasty worst-case scenario of $2.3 million in cuts. Taxpayer support amounts to just 30 percent of UW revenue (tuition, fund raising, research grants and revenue-generating services provide the rest) and the UW accounts for less than 10 percent of all state spending, but it seemed as though talk of Ward Churchill, Michael Moore, chancellor’s cars and backup appointments generated 100 percent of the budget-cut buzz. It reminded me, sadly, of my former home state of Oregon, where two decades of paralyzing partisan bickering had yielded disinvestment in public education and the highest unemployment rates in the nation. Ultimately, the worst-case for the UW System didn’t materialize, thanks to vetoes by the Governor. The cuts that remain — apportioned to UW-Green Bay as a $1 million giveback — will confine the damage to that already anticipated in our original plan. Even better is the prospect that future damage will be avoided entirely. There are, in fact, thoughtful public officials in Madison, many from our area, who in private conversation tell me they are as frustrated with the political environment as we are. I’ve also had long-time observers tell me they expect a rebound, that two brutal budget cycles have convinced people that enough is enough, that Wisconsin needs now to reinvest in the UW. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaTOP OF NEXT COLUMN |
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As
the Press-Gazette urged, “We’ll need strong support from
the Northeastern Wisconsin community to convince state legislators that
the state’s future demands they stop using the UW System as a pawn
in their politically driven budget fights.” That’s why I am optimistic — despite recent history — on future state funding. In addition, I am wholeheartedly optimistic about our continuing ability to move forward by way of our own entrepreneurial success, with the aid of remarkable friends and community supporters. Donor pledges that will give UW-Green Bay three new named professorships, our first in nearly 20 years, provide more evidence this region believes in our mission. Fred and Patricia Baer, Dr. David and Mary Ann Cofrin, and Phil and Betsy Hendrickson have our deepest gratitude. They’re taking the lead in helping UW-Green Bay realize the resources it needs to grow, in order to help Northeast Wisconsin grow. Quickly, in closing: • With students only just returned, I learn more each day about campus plans to rally relief for the Gulf Coast disaster. Check the Web and our LOG faculty-staff newsletter to read more. • I doubt we’ve had a more appreciative reaction than that which greeted the announcement — part of our diversity service initiative — that we will offer free conversational Spanish lessons to any employee. • I continue to reflect on what makes a UW-Green Bay education an increasingly valuable asset. It comes back to the liberal arts. To be continued in the next FYI... • Finally, I plan to clarify enrollment accounting. The fall census I used above is one measure, but a better reflection of students served is “annual enrollment.” There, counting those who start in spring or summer, the 5,500 students in our fall snapshot become 7,300. Since we’re on record as saying the 5,500 needs to be 7,500, we will put pencil to paper to translate today’s 7,300 annual total to its corresponding, higher equivalent. With that, I’ll extend best wishes for what remains of September, and thank you as always for helping connect learning to life. Sincerely,  Bruce Shepard |
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