University Committee recommended the proposal<\/a>, the Faculty Senate voted to oppose it last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n51ÁÔÆæ is faced with the reality of a program that has been severely under-enrolled relative to its staff and level of institutional subsidization. The unfortunate reality is this: While tuition rates are much lower at CGS, it costs 51ÁÔÆæ about the same to educate associate degree students at CGS as it does to educate associate, bachelor\u2019s, master\u2019s and doctoral-degree-seeking students combined on the Milwaukee campus. As enrollment continues to shrink, operating CGS is not sustainable. While I have considered the concerns voiced at the Faculty Senate meeting and beyond, they do not overcome the rationale contained in the proposal. Specifically, the Faculty Senate asked that 51ÁÔÆæ continue to study other options or absorb the CGS faculty into the main campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enrollment is at the heart of it, and the trends are clear. From 2010 to 2023, CGS saw a 65% decline in students without a corresponding reduction in staff. We see no evidence this trend will reverse, consistent with national and state data and similar institutions.\u202f 51ÁÔÆæ lacks the student demand for the liberal arts associate degree and cannot justify additional investment in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a decade of enrollment declines and budget cuts, the main campus also cannot simply absorb dozens of faculty positions. The College of Letters & Science (L&S), the logical tenure home for most CGS faculty, has been working to resolve its own structural deficit for over a decade and has lost over 40% of its enrollment in that time. L&S reduced its staff by 90 faculty members and another 35 non-faculty FTE during that period. If we use $3.5 million, which is a reasonable estimate of the cost to absorb the CGS faculty, we would need to cut $3.5 million elsewhere, which would most certainly be in staff cuts, as our primary budgetary cost. This would mean cutting student-serving or university operation roles, which, as we know, are already extraordinarily lean. If 51ÁÔÆæ continues these costs, it will impair 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s ability to fulfill its mission to meet student needs and advance research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central to this decision is the matter of tenure. We know tenure is foundational to higher education, protecting faculty from political or ideological retribution. I deeply value this concept and recognize its role in upholding academic freedom \u2014 a pillar of free inquiry. However, in today\u2019s climate, where universities like 51ÁÔÆæ are seen less as public investments and more as tuition-dependent businesses, tenure must be balanced with demand. We are not alone in this difficult situation. Public universities in Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Minnesota have recently had to lay off faculty members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am deeply saddened by this scenario and wish it were not occurring. However, proceeding with the proposal is aligned with our mission and is the most responsible decision for 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This decision in no way reflects the strong history of contributions, dedication, care and talent of our CGS employees.\u202fThey have made differences in countless lives for many years and are recognized as valued faculty and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I encourage CGS employees to reach out to their Human Resources Business Partner with questions and to utilize 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Employee Assistance Program through Acentra Health. The program is free, confidential, and available 24\/7 to all 51ÁÔÆæ employees and their families. Contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at sowi.mylifeexpert.com<\/a> (51ÁÔÆæ password: SOWI). Please visit the CGS webpage<\/a> for updated information, including FAQs and previous emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe will continue to work to find employment opportunities for affected staff, including through the Priority Referral Program, and communicate updates as they are available. Faculty also have statutory layoff rights, which 51ÁÔÆæ will of course honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a challenging time for our university, and I am committed to maintaining transparency throughout this transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dear Colleagues, Today, I recommended to Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman that the Board of Regents discontinue the program of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee\u2019s (51ÁÔÆæ) College of General Studies (CGS) and its three academic departments: Arts & Humanities, Math …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1597,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[15,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-communications","category-updates"],"yoast_head":"\n
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