“We’re very interested in seeing how we might be able to bring additional programs to UW-Waukesha, but at this point that’s really all we have.”
– Tom Luljak, vice chancellor of University Relations and Communications

The task force created in response to the proposed merger of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Waukesha campuses is looking to bring more bachelor’s degree opportunities to Waukesha County, a UW System administrator said.

“The issue is not ‘merger,’ the issue is how to bring more bachelor’s degree opportunities to Waukesha County,” said Donald Mash, the UW System executive vice president, referring to the initial report that was released last week, on the potential merger between the UW’s Milwaukee and Waukesha campuses.

Mash was appointed by UW System President Kevin Reilly in August to lead a task force to study the proposed merger after Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed the bid out of the state budget last year.

The 54-page report on the study focused on identifying the needs and expectations of the Waukesha community.

“The gateway function (of UW-Waukesha) is highly valued,” Mash said. “We are trying to preserve that.”

Presently, UW-Waukesha acts as a college designed to easily transfer students into larger universities. The college also collaborates with UWM and UW-Whitewater to offer three bachelor’s-completion programs and two MBA programs in Waukesha, through the Milwaukee Connections program.

“There is a need for accessibility to more bachelor degree programs in Waukesha County,” said Andy Cuneo, the UWM adviser who works on-site at UW-Waukesha to provide the service. “Right now, there isn’t much of a choice unless (students) go the private school route.”

The merger, which was suggested last spring by then-Waukesha County Executive Daniel Finley, caused concern among UW-Waukesha students and faculty, who questioned whether enrollment standards would be changed or tuition raised.

Now the challenges have shifted, said Jane Crisler, former interim dean of UW-Waukesha and a participant in the study.

The first challenge is to identify exactly what degrees and what majors are needed, so that the UW System can then identify available resources to meet those needs.

“Creating and expanding academic programs is very costly, so we must be sure that we proceed carefully,” she said.

The second challenge is financial. Students are already burdened by the severe $400 million budget cuts that the UW System has experienced over the last five years.

“A major question is, ‘How can more degree programs (and/or expansion of existing degree programs) be funded when the university’s budget has been cut and elected officials at both the county and state level want to reduce taxes?’ ” Crisler said.

The support that Waukesha County provides to UW-Waukesha is critically important and would be withdrawn in a merger, Crisler said.

Unlike the four-year campuses, the land and buildings at the two-year institutions are owned by local government agencies that are responsible for their maintenance, and state general purpose revenue and tuition pay for all academic expenses incurred at the facilities.

Currently, Waukesha County taxpayers contribute about $200,000 in annual maintenance needs and average over $1 million each year on capital expenditures, Waukesha County Executive Daniel Vrakas said in a recent letter written to Crisler.

The UW System Board of Regents will review the initial report at its March meeting, and then will determine what steps will be taken next.

Meanwhile, Mash will be meeting with business leaders and public officials in Waukesha to discuss the needs and expectations of those in the community, while keeping close relations with UWM.

“We’re very interested in seeing how we might be able to bring additional programs to UW-Waukesha, but at this point that’s really all we have,” said Tom Luljak, vice chancellor of University Relations and Communications. “We’re ready to see what the ultimate outcome of this discussion of the future of Waukesha might hold.”

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