UW unveils $32 million proposal to fill high-demand jobs, reclaim budget cut
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- To address the state's workforce needs, the Universities of Wisconsin unveiled a proposal that seeks to fill jobs in high-demand areas.
On Monday, President of the Universities of Wisconsin Jay Rothman announced a $32 million plan to bolster programs in engineering, nursing, health care, business, and computer and data science.
Rothman said the plan would increase graduation rates in those areas by more than 9,300 in five years.
"We know we have to be investing in order for Wisconsin to compete in an ever-evolving technology driven knowledge economy," Rothman told reporters. "Investments we make today, or the investments we fail to make, will define Wisconsin's future."
Under the plan, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison would both receive nearly $5 million over the next two years while the rest of campuses will get $2 million each.
Rothman presented the plan ahead of the UW Board of Regents meeting Thursday. Afterwards he will petition the GOP-controlled Legislature for the funds. It will need the approval of the Joint Finance Committee.
The workforce proposal is part of Rothman's attempt to reclaim $32 million in cuts Republican made in the 2023-2025 state budget in an effort to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on UW campuses.
Receiving the funds could be a challenge. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he would not release the funds until programing and nearly 188 staffing positions related to DEI are eliminated.
“It looks like a good proposal," Vos said. "Once we work out an agreement on DEI, we’d be happy to move forward.”
The proposal comes as the Assembly is poised to pass a GOP bill that would eliminate race-based criteria when colleges and universities review financial aid applications. A vote on the proposal is scheduled Nov. 7.
Each year, UW campuses in total graduate about 15,000 students in STEAM and health care fields each year. That’s about 40% of all degrees awarded by the Universities of Wisconsin and reflects a 30% increase over the past 10 years.
“The Universities of Wisconsin have the capacity to add thousands of graduates to the workforce in critical areas, and I know we’ll be responsible stewards of this funding when it is released by the legislature," said Rothman.