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Chancellor looks toward future in address
Housing, fundraising, a new image key topics at plenary address
By Kevin Lessmiller
“We are engaging in discussion and planning to better engage our research centers in the R(esearch) G(rowth) I(nitiative) to assure their long-term funding viability.” -- Chancellor Carlos Santiago
Amid the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago gave an update on an effort to secure $300 million for the university in his Plenary Address Thursday, Sept. 21.
In his speech titled “Celebration, Reflection, and Action: Our Challenge at 50 years,” Santiago gave an update on the effort to secure $300 million and outlined the progress on other current UWM initiatives.
The plan to raise $300 million for more university financial support consists of three equal parts: a comprehensive campaign, state investment and the Research Growth Initiative. The goal for each of these three components is $100 million.
So far, $73 million out of the $100 million goal has been raised for the comprehensive campaign phase of the plan. Part of this includes a $25 million goal for student scholarships, of which $24 million has been raised.
The Research Growth Initiative was created to help fund and reinvest in UWM research ventures.
“We are engaging in discussion and planning to better engage our research centers in the RGI to assure their long-term funding viability,” Santiago said.
The third and final phase of the $300 million goal is additional state investment. Of the $100 million plan for state investment, $30 million would go to the UWM base budget and $70 million to new research facilities. The university should know whether or not it will receive the first installment of state funding by next spring.
The speech wasn’t all finances, though. In part to commemorate UWM’s 50th anniversary, Santiago announced a new marketing tagline for the university. “Something Great In Mind” replaces the former slogan, “Learn More.” Santiago said that the new phrase was created “to recognize our transition to a higher profile university and highlight our accomplishments.”
Santiago also gave an update on the Riverwest residence halls, for which construction recently began. Riverwest, with an additional 488 beds, will be open for new freshmen in the fall of 2007. He was also proud that construction for the new residence halls is being funded with no state money.
“It is unacceptable that we can provide university housing to only 10 percent of our students,” said Santiago.
Santiago presented the optimistic results of a recent senior survey in his address. According to the results, 86 percent of seniors surveyed in 2006 said that they would choose UWM again if they had to go to college all over again, up from 79 percent in 2001.
Even more surprising is the 70 percent of seniors who claimed to be committed to UWM as alumni. This is a substantial increase over the 37 percent reported in 2001. Santiago welcomed the increase in former UWM students proudly serving their alma mater.
“We are UWM’s current torch bearers,” Santiago said in conclusion. “And now is the time to run.”
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