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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 10/2/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
May 22, 2003 UWGB turns to the community for support The chancellor says alternative sources of funding are necessary By Leigh Ann Wagner Kroening
Shepard, the school's chancellor, and UW System President Katharine
Lyall had the opportunity to thank private donors for their support during
the spring gathering of the college's Founders Association, which is celebrating
its 30th anniversary.
But expressing gratitude wasn't the duo's only priority.
"We're going to continue encouraging community support for the university,"
said Lyall, who was the guest speaker for the event. "It's so very important
now that state funds are harder to come by."
The university recently passed its 2003-05 budget, which included $2.3
million in cuts that were made necessary by a $250 million reduction in
state aid to the UW System. UWGB is dealing with the reduced funds by
lowering enrollments, offering fewer class sections, reducing job opportunities
for student employees and limiting some student services.
The school is eliminating 16 full-time positions. Statewide the system's
universities are cutting 650 jobs.
"It's going to hurt us the most in these first two years," Shepard said.
"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."
Lyall said the Joint Finance Committee's decision last week to allow
the UW Board of Regents to raise resident undergraduate tuition $250 a
semester will help slightly. The UW System faces a net loss of $100 million,
which is the largest budget cut in its 30-year history.
"It's a real challenge for us to continue to serve the students," she
said. "We don't want to price students out of an education. The good news
is we're still providing an education at a cost that's below the average
of our competitors."
Shepard and Lyall said the budget crisis will create a two-year delay
in the school's 10-year growth plan.
"The cuts are making it necessary to halt the growth process, and that's
especially difficult for UWGB because the school's at a growth point,"
Lyall said.
Shepard touted the importance of private funds for the continued growth
of the university.
"Given the trend toward state disinvestment in higher education, private
support is ever more critical," he said. "We need to continue to promote
community partnerships."
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