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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: 9/26/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
July 18, 2007 UW schools join Doyle's call against GOP budget Green Bay, Oshkosh chancellors say Assembly plan hits higher education By Kelly McBride
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard and UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells joined Doyle to discuss the budget plan — which they say delivers a blow to state and regional higher education — during a standing-room-only news conference at UWGB's Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.
"What the majority did in the Assembly last week was an overall assault on higher education in the state," Doyle said. "But it has real meaning for real students ... This really means something for the people who are trying to pursue higher education."
Shepard is concerned about the larger scope of the Republican budget, he said, and particularly how it could affect UWGB's growth agenda.
That plan aims to increase enrollment by about 2,200 students — up from around 5,400 now — during the next 10 years. The UW System Board of Regents gave the plan a hearty endorsement during its April 2006 meeting, and university officials have expressed optimism about making it a reality.
But the Assembly budget would have serious repercussions for the growth agenda, Shepard said, largely because of UWGB's share — estimated at $2.4 to $2.8 million — of Assembly cuts to the UW System. The plan would result in a net loss, despite the inclusion of $1.1 million in growth agenda funding, he said.
"Don't be fooled by packaging," Shepard said. "This is not a growth budget for UWGB. This is a shrink budget."
University officials have been joined by K-12 and technical college officials in expressing their concerns about the Assembly budget plan. Among the 250 to 300 people gathered at UWGB Tuesday were local representatives from each type of institution.
But Republican legislators have countered that the state budget needs to toe the line on tax increases and spend money wisely while still supporting education.
UWGB's growth agenda is important for the region, Rep. Karl Van Roy, R-Howard, said in a Tuesday telephone interview. But it may not come to fruition as quickly as Doyle and the Democrats — not to mention Shepard — would like.
"We certainly need it," Van Roy said, referring to the growth agenda. "But how fast we can grow it is another thing. You have a wish list sometimes, but you don't necessarily get all your wishes."
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