Plenary panel:
Many challenges ahead
Spring Plenary Address
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago
Jan. 29, 2009
Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago
UW-Milwaukee administrators led by Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago offered both a realistic and optimistic view of the difficult time ahead for UWM at the Spring Semester Plenary Panel session. The panel discussion was presented to an audience of about 400 faculty, staff and students on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29, in the Wisconsin Room of the UWM Union.
Christy L. Brown, vice chancellor for finance and administrative affairs, described the current budget uncertainties for UWM, including a potential budget cut of as much as $50 million in the 2009-11 state budget cycle. But she balanced that dire news with the reminder that the campus withstood a very challenging 2003-2005 budget cycle and that Gov. Jim Doyle remains committed to higher education and UWM’s role in helping solve the economic development challenges of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Excellent progress being made in the university’s Access to Success initiative was described by Rita Cheng, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Even though demographics are working against UWM growing enrollment of traditional 18-year-old freshmen, she explained positive results from retention programs and efforts that continue to attract adult, nontraditional and transfer students.
Much work is still ahead for building external research funding for UWM, said Colin Scanes, vice chancellor for research and economic development, and dean of the Graduate School. The past six years, however, have seen a 69 percent increase in federal funding for UWM. And in the past few years, good returns on investment are being seen through the university’s Research Growth Initiative.
Chancellor Santiago concluded the presentation under a projected illustration of faculty and staff who have won campus wide awards in recent years. He said it is the strength of the people of this campus that will allow UWM to meet challenges and move forward.
Many challenges ahead
Spring Plenary Address
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago
Jan. 29, 2009
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Photo by Alan Magayne-Roshak
Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago
Christy L. Brown, vice chancellor for finance and administrative affairs, described the current budget uncertainties for UWM, including a potential budget cut of as much as $50 million in the 2009-11 state budget cycle. But she balanced that dire news with the reminder that the campus withstood a very challenging 2003-2005 budget cycle and that Gov. Jim Doyle remains committed to higher education and UWM’s role in helping solve the economic development challenges of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Excellent progress being made in the university’s Access to Success initiative was described by Rita Cheng, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Even though demographics are working against UWM growing enrollment of traditional 18-year-old freshmen, she explained positive results from retention programs and efforts that continue to attract adult, nontraditional and transfer students.
Much work is still ahead for building external research funding for UWM, said Colin Scanes, vice chancellor for research and economic development, and dean of the Graduate School. The past six years, however, have seen a 69 percent increase in federal funding for UWM. And in the past few years, good returns on investment are being seen through the university’s Research Growth Initiative.
Chancellor Santiago concluded the presentation under a projected illustration of faculty and staff who have won campus wide awards in recent years. He said it is the strength of the people of this campus that will allow UWM to meet challenges and move forward.