Dear Campus Community,
You may be aware of this morning’s news reports regarding Gov. Walker’s proposed $300 million budget cut for the UW System along with a proposal of making the UW System a public authority, which would allow for greater flexibility in the future.
This news is likely unsettling, but I ask that you be patient. Currently, there are more questions than there are answers about what all this means for the UW System and specifically, UW-Whitewater. We will know more on Tuesday, Feb. 3, when Gov. Walker delivers his biennial budget address. I believe it is safe to say that we will face significant budget cuts under the governor’s proposal as it currently stands. President Cross has stated that he hopes to reduce the amount of those cuts as the budget makes its way through the legislative process. But the reality of the state’s current fiscal situation is that UW-Whitewater, along with all state agencies, will face significant budget cuts in the next two years.
Together, we have weathered budget cuts in the past. My staff has begun to develop priorities for the campus. Once we have specific amounts regarding our campus reductions, I will work closely with the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee and campus governance groups to determine how we move forward. I know this news seems dismal, but again, I would ask you to remain patient. I have scheduled a budget open forum from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, in the Summers Auditorium in the University Center. Additional sessions will be scheduled as we receive more information. I will share as much information with campus as possible. Here are links to statements from Gov. Walker and UW System leadership:
[link destination="http://walker.wi.gov/newsroom/press-release/transforming-education-governor-scott-walker-announces-plan-tuition-freeze" text="http://walker.wi.gov/newsroom/press-release/transforming-education-governor-scott-walker-announces-plan-tuition-freeze"]
[link destination="https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/archive/tatements-from-university-of-wisconsin-system-leadership-regarding-governor-walkers-proposed-uw-system-budget-for-the-2015-17-biennium/" text="https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/archive/tatements-from-university-of-wisconsin-system-leadership-regarding-governor-walkers-proposed-uw-system-budget-for-the-2015-17-biennium/"]
Sincerely,
Richard Telfer
Chancellor