University of Wisconsin System plans to overhaul model next year

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MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) — The UW Board of Regents met Thursday, May 7 to discuss a proposal by UW System President Ray Cross, which would dramatically alter how the system operates.

With projected decreased enrollment and reduced state support following the COVID-19 pandemic, UW Board of Regents President Drew Petersen said they need to be proactive.

“These are unprecedented times, and we’re taking alternative steps to make sure that the University of Wisconsin System is prepared for the future.”

Cross’s plan calls for less duplication of courses across the system. All campuses would likely still have basic courses like English, but other classes would be cut, as campuses specialized.

“When I think about UW-Stout, I think about how they’re polytechnic of our campuses," Petersen said. "When I think about UW-Stevens Point, they’re our environmental sustainability campus. UW-Whitewater, our business school.”

There would be a more streamlined online course load for students across the system.

“You have your base curriculum that you’re taking on your campus of choice, and then you’re supplementing it with specialized courses that are coming from UW-Oshkosh or UW-River Falls,” Petersen said.

The plan also calls to cut costs with more centralized administration.

“Each of our campuses maintains their own human resources system, their own information technology system,” Petersen said.“Bringing centralization to that, so we can bring efficiency and scales.”

Campuses are expected to have their new course plans submitted by Jan. 15, and be ready to implement those changes by next fall.

 

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