MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson issued this statement today:
“We appreciate the committee’s investment in maintenance and repair funding for our current facilities, and in moving forward critical projects throughout the UW System. These are much needed investments that will ensure our students have the important educational opportunities they need to graduate and enter the workforce.
“This budget represents a significant step forward for our campuses. The committee clearly recognizes UW System’s focus on STEM-related facilities and the need to provide modern education and research space for our students. We appreciate their confidence in the direction we are taking the UW.”
The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 165,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.