Growth Agenda Update - December 2010
Young alumni satisfied with UW education
A new survey shows that UW graduates are overwhelmingly satisfied with their education experience.
Eleven four-year UW campuses collaborated with the American Council on Education (ACE) on the project, which showed:
- 98% of young UW alumni have a favorable impression of their alma mater
- 94% agreed that it was worth all the time and money invested
- 85% said they were “effectively prepared with the knowledge and skills they needed”
See the Dec. 10 news release, as well as news coverage from The Capital Times and the Wisconsin Radio Network.
UW System reaches new enrollment record
The UW System has set a new enrollment record with almost 182,000 students.
Over the past decade, system-wide enrollment has grown by about 11% – a gain of more than 18,000 students. This growth is noteworthy during a time of tight resources, as the UW System is working to increase the number of degree-holders in the state.
See the Dec. 6 news release.
Economic summit produces bold prosperity strategy
On Dec. 6, President Kevin P. Reilly welcomed participants to the concluding session of the Wisconsin Economic Summits, a series of meetings across the state with elected officials, business leaders, educators, economic development specialists, small business owners, and taxpayers.
The summits produced a comprehensive strategy for economic growth, which included many recommendations that align closely with UW System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin.
See the “Be Bold Wisconsin Prosperity Strategy,” with related news coverage from the Associated Press, and this editorial from the Wisconsin State Journal.
UW leaders call for new University/State partnership
On Nov. 28, Regent President Charles Pruitt appeared on “Up front with Mike Gousha” to talk about university funding under a new governor and new legislature. See the WISN video with Regent Pruitt.
On Dec. 1, President Reilly addressed the Madison Downtown Rotary Club, discussing UW System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin, and the need for a new relationship between Wisconsin and its public university. Watch WisconsinEye’s coverage of the presentation.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Toward a New Compact with UW”
In a Nov. 27 editorial, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggested that it’s time for a broader discussion of what it means to be a state university, arguing that the UW System deserves more administrative freedom. See the full editorial.
Regents forward 2% pay plan recommendation
As required by state law, the UW System Board of Regents approved a pay plan recommendation for the upcoming biennium, unanimously supporting a 2% annual pay plan request for UW faculty and academic staff. Much of the discussion with Regents focused on recommendations from the Competitive University Workforce Commission, which found that salaries for UW faculty and staff trail most of their peers.
See news coverage by the Associated Press. For other news from the December 2010 Board of Regents meeting, see the news summaries from Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10, or watch the archived Webcast.
University leaders call for civility
On Nov. 23, all UW System chancellors joined President Reilly in signing a joint statement calling for greater civility, following a series of violent incidents on UW campuses this fall. See the full statement as well as editorials by the Green Bay Press Gazette and La Crosse Tribune.
UW System eCampus launched
On Nov. 10, the UW System announced the launch of the UW System eCampus, a new website that provides convenient access to more than 70 online degree and certificate programs offered across the UW System. See the Nov. 10 news release, as well as coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Public Radio.
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