FOCUS: Budget Impacts

In recent months, the University of Wisconsin System has worked to manage the unprecedented $250 million cut it received in the 2003-05 state budget while managing its impact on the classroom experience for UW students. While student instruction was partially protected in the short-term, these budget cuts have forced negative impacts elsewhere on campus that cannot be ignored.

As the state begins the 2005-07 budget process, this edition of Wisconsin Ideas provides a "snapshot" look at the many ways budget cuts to the university are affecting students, faculty, staff and Wisconsin citizens.

* Read the 2003-05 Budget Outcomes Fact Sheet for more details about the cuts to the university.

Are you feeling the effects of budget cuts on your campus? E-mail wisconsinideas@uwsa.edu to share your story.

ON CAMPUS

Shrinking UW capacity threatens Wisconsin's future

In the face of of multi-million dollar cuts to its budget and careful management of shrinking resources, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is struggling to provide current students with an excellent education, says Chancellor Donald Mash. Maintaining that quality has come at a price. By Judy Berthiaume. Read more

Green Bay struggling to maintain personal touch

For years, even decades, UW-Green Bay treated the message like a badge of distinction: Come to school here and you will find the personal touch that only a small campus can provide. After another round of budget cuts—the deepest in UW-Green Bay’s 36-year history—the university may have to fine-tune its message. By Scott Hildebrand. Read more

River Falls copes with lost opportunities, lost excellence

Lost opportunities to build Wisconsin's economy. Lost time addressing a crisis in education/workforce language skills. Lost teaching excellence through the departure of a young faculty member. Those are some of the more tangible setbacks at UW-River Falls after budget readjustments and reductions. On a balance sheet, the reductions are numbers. But they have a very human face. By Mark Kinders. Read more
Related story: Deteriorating facilities plague campus

Budget cuts strain Whitewater hiring efforts, work loads

Few in higher education would argue that quality education starts with attracting and keeping talented faculty, and creating a personalized learning environment for students. Ironically, at UW-Whitewater, these two benchmarks of quality may be most sensitive to state budget cuts. By Brian Mattmiller. Read more

SYSTEMWIDE

Across the UW System: Budget cuts are hurting students

The UW System made great efforts to manage the $250 million in budget cuts while minimizing the erosion of the quality for which the university is known. But in the end, the negatives are far outweighing the positives. Read more

Accountability report highlights progress, challenges

The University of Wisconsin System’s latest accountability report details progress the university has made over the past year in serving students and the state but also highlights challenges related to decreased state funding. "This report shows the tradeoffs our campuses are making as budgets are cut. But many of the ways in which the current budget crisis will impact our students have not yet been felt on our campuses," says UW System President Katharine C. Lyall. Read more

NATIONAL OUTLOOK

States urged to reverse funding trend

State leaders have a responsibility to reverse the slide in funding for public colleges and universities, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. "Governors and legislators are on the front line," the group has said. Read more

Universities must transform to meet fiscal challenges, regents told

A leading higher education expert and former UW chancellor says colleges and universities must plan proactively to transform their institutions in response to difficult economic times. Read more

OTHER SYSTEM NEWS

UW System President Katharine Lyall announces retirement

University of Wisconsin System President Katharine C. Lyall has announced her plans to retire at the end of the academic year, marking the end of one of the longest and most productive presidencies in the history of the UW System. “It has been extremely exciting to lead the world’s best university system and a great privilege to serve the people of Wisconsin in that role,” Lyall said. Read more