The data clearly suggest that the university center concept is the most cost effective proposal in meeting the current needs of the citizens of Waukesha.

After more than two years of discussion on the future of the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, a study released Feb. 21 indicated a university center would be the most affordable option for the state.

A university center would be an extension to the current university that would bring additional faculty from other University of Wisconsin System universities to UW-Waukesha to give them the opportunity to earn four-year degrees in certain fields.

Already UW-Waukesha acts as a type of university center through its college connection program, by bringing University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professors to UW-Waukesha for certain courses.

This school year, UWM provides bachelors degrees in organizational administration, communication, information resources and a masters in business administration

But a new model would provide opportunity for more degrees. According to the report, Waukesha would also provide opportunities for a bachelors or masters in electronic and mechanical engineering and computer science.

But along with more degrees and more faculty members comes more cost. According to the report, creating a university center would be $6.3 million to $10.5 million.

Merging UWM and UW-Waukesha would cost $22.2 million to 25.8 million annually and establishing a separate stand-alone four-year university in Waukesha would cost around $25.9 million annually.

Within the merger model, there are two options. Either UW-Waukesha would integrate completely into UWM or it would become a part of the university but still maintain some identity, at least at the undergraduate level.

Both merger options are different than a university center, which either would be run as part of UW-Waukesha or independently from an outside institute rather than by UWM.

A co-statement from UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago and UW Colleges Chancellor David Wilson stated, The data clearly suggest that the university center concept is the most cost effective proposal in meeting the current needs of the citizens of Waukesha.

However they also indicated that an analysis of Waukesha Countys needs and demands would need to be identified before any changes took place.

On campus, Josh Mann, a student at UW-Waukesha and Vice President of the United Council, a statewide student organization, said he is for the university center model.

The university center stance would be the best because it would be enhancing UW-Waukesha, Mann said.

He said it would allow students to get engineering degrees while still keeping doors open for students who cant afford to go to Madison.

However he had concerns that some of the other models could affect sports on campus.

UW-Waukesha plays in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference. If UW-Waukesha and UWM fully merged or UW-Waukesha establishes its own four-year university, it will not be able to maintain its status in the conference playing sports.

However if a partial merger took place or the university center was built, it would not affect their status, according to the report.

Alan Stager, president of the UW-Waukesha Student Government Association, who also sat in with the group making up the report, agreed with Mann that the university center was the best option, but is still reluctant to change.

What we have currently is the way we want it to be, Stager said.

He said he is concerned that if UWM and Waukesha merge it would mean larger class sizes and tuition increases that would limit the number of students who can go there. For the 2006-07 academic year, a UW-Waukesha student paid $4,500 a year while a UWM student paid $6,630.

But according to the report, the only way UW-Waukesha students tuition should be affected is if they choose either the complete merger with UWM or to establish their own campus.

On Thursday, March 8, representatives from the group will discuss the report with the University of Wisconsin Board Regents Education Committee.

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