UW System Clipsheet

"UW calls on lawmakers to reduce cuts," Wisconsin Radio Network, March 18.

The president of the UW System is calling on lawmakers to reduce the cuts to its campuses. Under the proposed state budget, UW campuses would face up to $175 million in cuts. System President Kevin Reilly says that's much greater than the $100 million in cuts they had originally been planning on. Reilly called on the Legislature's budget committee Tuesday to change those numbers, by reducing the governor's requested one-percent across the board cut for state agencies. Reilly says it hits the UW System harder than most other agencies, due to the high number of non-GPR revenue sources they rely on for funding...

Listen: http://www.wrn.com/ge...82A-3711FFEA1893C502

"UW campuses still reaching high enrollment numbers," WKBT-TV, March 17.

When it comes to deciding which college to attend, University of Wisconsin campuses are a popular choice. Enrollment in the UW's 26 campuses reached an all-time high this year. Last fall, enrollment topped 175,000, which is an increase of one percent from the previous year. UW-La Crosse's chancellor says he believes more people are pursuing college degrees...

"Investing in the future," Editorial, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 17.

Gov. Jim Doyle has done his part to kick-start the transformation of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Now, it's up to the state's Building Commission and Legislature...UWM can be that catalyst. And while it's important to remember that the UWM initiatives are only one piece of a long-term strategy for economic growth in the region, they are an important piece. Increased research at UWM could help both existing businesses and new ones become more competitive...

"Veteran UW-Platteville chancellor to retire," Associated Press, March 18.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville's chancellor is retiring after leading the school through a period of tremendous growth. David Markee announced Tuesday he plans to retire in August after leading the university since 1996. UW-Platteville is largely known for its engineering program, and under Markee's leadership, it became the fastest growing university in the state. Its enrollment increased nearly 50 percent over the past 10 years to 7,500 students...

"Seniors encouraged to dabble," Leader-Telegram, March 17.

This week is spring break at UW-Eau Claire, but Davies Center was still full of eager crowds of students Tuesday. Toting their bags and books, they chatted with friends in the hallways while traveling from class to class. There were no freshmen, sophomores or juniors in sight, however. Tuesday was all for seniors: Not the kind looking forward to graduation in a few months, but the kind with a few more decades of life experience...

"Parkside students give farmers a break," Kenosha News, March 18.

Don’t look for this group of University of Wisconsin-Parkside students to be sunning on the beaches of Cancun over spring break. Instead, a small group from Peggy James’ political science class left Friday to get their tan on while doing backbreaking work in Chiapas, Mexico — giving up comfy beds for hammocks, McDonald’s for food from the ground, and comfort for a crash course on how one group of people lives while defending their land and livelihood. James first made the trip with students two years ago as part of a special class that studies Latin American politics...

"Gateway and Parkside to sign transfer agreement," Journal Times, March 17.

Students at Gateway Technical College will soon be able to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside without first having to complete a degree at the technical college. Officials from Gateway and Parkside on Thursday will sign a transfer agreement that will allow a student to transfer a block of 30 general education credits to the four-year university...

"Milwaukee officials praise budgeted items for UW campus," Wisconsin Public Radio, March 17.

Gov. Jim Doyle is creating a splash in the state's largest city, with his borrowing plans for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Doyle is revealing part of his capital budget, which would use borrowed money to help pay for state and university system buildings. He ways under his plan, the UW-Milwaukee would get $240 million in bonding over the next six years...

"Milwaukee business leaders hail Doyle's proposed UWM investments," BizTimes, March 16.

Milwaukee business leaders today hailed Gov. Jim Doyle's announcement that his capital budget will provide $240 million in total bonding over the next six years for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's building projects. The funds will be used by UWM for its plans to build a new engineering campus in Wauwatosa, build a new School of Freshwater Science, renovate its Great Lakes Water Institute facility, build a new School of Public Health and construct an integrated research building...

"College enrollment in computer science, engineering on the rise," USA Today, March 18.

...For the first time since the dot-com bust, there is a jump in the number of undergraduate computer-science majors. New enrollment in North American computer science and engineering programs rose 8% during the 2007-08 school year from the year before, according to a report released Tuesday by the Computing Research Association, a trade group for about 200 university computing departments. It is the first increase since 2002...

"Community-college leaders find they must serve more with less," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 18.

The vast majority of community-college leaders report that student enrollment is up at a time when more than half have seen their budgets drop, according to the findings of a survey scheduled to be released today... (paid subscription required)

"Researchers propose 6 ways to keep community college students beyond the first few weeks," Chronicle of Higher Education, March 18.

...A report to be released today by the Center for Community College Student Engagement seeks to help officials understand the student experience in those critical first three weeks, and how they might engage those at-risk students and prevent them from becoming dropouts... (paid subscription required)

"Community college surge," Inside Higher Ed, March 18.

In economic downturns, community college enrollments go up, as those who lose jobs (or fear losing them) seek to add skills or training, and as some students who might otherwise have gone away for college look to save money by living at home while attending classes. As the economic downturn hit hard last year, this trend was immediately evident, with many community colleges reporting a flood of students...