“As goes Milwaukee, so will go the state. UWM must be an economic driver of the state.”- David Walsh, Former President of the UW System Board of Regents

David Walsh, former president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, warned against “privatizing” higher education, but praised the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, calling the institution “a hidden jewel” in a presentation for the Milwaukee Rotary Club Tuesday.

Citing Milwaukee as the economic and business center of the state, Walsh said the economic emergence of UWM is a key factor in stabilizing Milwaukee as a viable job market and Wisconsin as an attractive business community.

“As goes Milwaukee, so will go the state,” said Walsh. “UWM must be an economic driver of the state.”

Walsh noted that the momentum and enthusiasm for UWM and its plans are “incredible,” and praised Chancellor Carlos Santiago for his focus on advancing the university as a research-based institution.

“If we don’t drive research here, we won’t drive the high-paying jobs,” Walsh said.

However, according to Walsh there are several obstacles that lie ahead for Wisconsin education, with the state currently strapped for cash.

“The system is more fiscally challenged than ever before,” said Walsh.

Walsh identified two main challenges that face the UW system: the lack of access to higher education and an erosion of quality as prized faculty get lured away from the state.

He cited increases in state funding for the system that pale in comparison to the increases for programs such as Corrections and Medicaid, and emphasized the impact of improving education to strengthen the economy. Accordingly, the lack of state funds has forced tuition to steeply rise, pricing many out of higher education.

Walsh believes that the price of education in the state is making college inaccessible to many families, creating a loss of ideas and potential growth that cannot be quantified.

“Low income families have no expectation of college. They know they cannot afford it,” said Walsh. “Creative minds do not solely belong to the wealthy.”

Additionally, important faculty members are being poached as states with deeper pockets are luring them away with extra dollars.

“We are in serious danger of losing some of our most talented faculty staff and academic leaders. Without a doubt, we are rapidly falling behind the competition,” said Walsh.

The main challenge facing the board is changing the way state lawmakers approach the education problem, according to Walsh.

“We need to persuade decision makers that education is part of the revenue side, and not just an expense,” he said.

Walsh notes the correlation between per-capita income and four-year bachelor degree graduates, with Wisconsin lagging behind the national average at 25%. The national average sits at 27%, with Illinois and Minnesota hovering around the 30% mark.

“That is unbelievable for a state that prides itself on its K-12, and has historically invested in higher education,” said Walsh.

With income and education being tied together, Walsh said it will be critical to improve access to Wisconsin’s university system and produce more graduates to contribute to the economy.

Walsh spoke of the regents’ growth agenda aimed at shoring up state education and improving access, which will propose the lowest tuition increases for the state in 25 years and implement the Wisconsin Covenant program.

The Wisconsin Covenant promises 8th graders admission and aid to a UW system university, provided they pledge to maintain a “B” average in high school, take college preparatory courses, and portray good school conduct.

“This should change the discussion around the dinner table, and should increase college aspirations,” said Walsh.

He remains confident that with an increased percentage of bachelor degree graduates and greater access to higher education, the state will continue to emerge as a powerful economic and business center.

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