51����

After announcing the closure of the Washington County campus last October, Chancellor Mark Mone charged a group called the College of General Studies Transformation Team with evaluating several key questions. We hoped to create a clear path to integrate the operations of CGS into the rest of 51����. We also wanted to identify pathways for growth on the Waukesha campus.

This work was in response to a charge by UWs President Rothman to the 51���� administration to answer the question: What should the future of the Waukesha campus be in the face of ongoing enrollment declines?

The data discovered during the process were not promising. Enrollment declines have remained consistent at the Waukesha campus, even with additional investments to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, business, and psychology. Moreover, with WCTC offering associate degrees since January 2023, there simply are not enough students to sustain a separate two-year campus in Waukesha. Although we had truly hoped and believed that we would be able to continue long-term operations at the Waukesha campus, the data and financial realities do not allow for this.

The Universities of Wisconsin administration leases the 51���� at Waukesha facilities from Waukesha County. 51���� will work closely with the county, the Universities of Wisconsin and local officials as the county evaluates the best future use of the facility. The Waukesha campus remains open through the 2024-2025 academic year but will close after the Spring 2025 semester concludes. 51���� advisors will work with 51���� at Waukesha students to create a path to degree completion or to help them transfer to the school of their choice.

51���� intends to continue the First Year Bridge program at the main campus. 51���� also will continue to invest in local partnerships in Waukesha and Washington counties to create bachelor’s and graduate degree opportunities for students in those counties.

Enrollment declines have remained consistent at the Waukesha campus for a decade, even with additional investments to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, business and psychology. While we’ve established additional programs in Waukesha, and have explored more offerings, the declining numbers of students pursuing associate degrees make maintaining a separate campus unsustainable, for 51���� or for Waukesha County. The Waukesha campus has experienced more than a 65% enrollment decline since 2014. It has seen a new-student decline of 13% in Fall 2023 and a 10% lag in applications for Fall 2024.

Another key financial indicator: While tuition rates are much lower at 51���� at Waukesha, it costs 51���� about the same to educate associate degree students at Waukesha as it does to educate bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral-degree-seeking students combined on the Milwaukee campus. As enrollment continues to shrink, operating the Waukesha campus is not financially responsible.

That’s why UW President Rothman issued a directive to 51���� to close the Waukesha campus at the end of the Spring 2025 semester.

51���� will not accept applications to a traditional associate degree program after Spring 2025. For existing students and Fall 2024 incoming students, 51���� will work with those students to complete their degree or transfer to the school of their choice, including the option to transition to 51����’s main campus. 51����’s Flex AAS program is anticipated to continue.

Yes, the First Year Bridge Program will continue only at 51����’s main campus in Milwaukee.

51���� will follow state guidelines on the use of campus assets, including technology, lab materials, athletic equipment and musical instruments. We are committed to providing full services to students and employees through the Spring 2025 semester. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Yes, 51����’s School of Continuing Education is southeastern Wisconsin’s largest provider of professional development and personal enrichment programs. The School plans to offer programming in Waukesha and Washington Counties after the closures.

The campus remains open through the 2024-2025 academic year. Plans call for the Waukesha campus to close after the Spring 2025 semester concludes. 51���� will work with all existing and incoming students at 51���� at Waukesha to degree completion or transfer to the school of their choice.

No changes are planned for the 2024-2025 academic year. Classes will be held as scheduled at the Waukesha campus. The campus will close after the Spring 2025 semester concludes.

In place of a standalone campus, 51���� is developing the 51���� University Center at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC). This partnership will allow 51���� to provide bachelor’s degree completion options and graduate-level programs on WCTC’s campus.

The university will work with current 51���� at Waukesha students to help them transition to WCTC, transfer to 51����’s main campus or transfer to the school of their choice. 51���� will also work closely with current students to help them access counseling and student support.

Some students may have questions about the TRIO program or their scholarships from the 51���� at Waukesha Foundation. Students with questions can contact the Student Affairs Office on the Waukesha campus. 51���� will work with each student to address concerns and help create pathways to degree completion.

(Updated Oct. 8, 2024)

The Waukesha campus remains open through the 2024-2025 academic year, and courses are continuing as scheduled.

After the Spring 2025 semester, you can finish your 51���� associate degree at 51����’s main campus in person or through online classes. Students also have the option to transition into a bachelor’s degree program at 51����’s main campus or a 51���� online program. However, they must meet requirements to be admitted to specific majors. 

51���� and Waukesha County Technical College have made it easier for Waukesha students to transfer to WCTC and complete the WCTC Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. WCTC is also one of four regional tech schools whose associate degree graduates are guaranteed admission to a 51���� bachelor’s degree program and the seamless transfer of at least 60 credits. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors.

If you are planning to finish your associate degree and want to remain in the Waukesha County area, this could be a good option for you. Reach out to your advisor for more information or contact WCTC’s enrollment team by email at  enroll@wctc.edu. Students who wish to transfer to WCTC won’t have to complete a full application – just fill out a brief intent form on WCTC’s transfer website dedicated to Waukesha students. 

Find more information at the   or go directly to the . &�Բ�����;

You are urged to reach out to your advisor to discuss your options and for any assistance with the transfer process.

(Updated March 27, 2024)

Please see the nursing, business and psychology program FAQs below.

There is no direct impact to students at 51����’s main campus.

If you are planning to transition to 51���� at Waukesha for the 2024-2025 academic year, classes will continue. Talk with your advisor about what degree completion or transfer options are available to you after the Spring 2025 semester.

(Updated Oct. 8, 2024)

51���� will continue to offer in-person classes at Milwaukee’s main campus and in 51����’s top-ranked online programs. 51���� is developing a four-year degree completion program at the 51���� University Center at WCTC.

51���� and Waukesha County Technical College have made it easier for Waukesha students to transfer to WCTC and complete the WCTC Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. WCTC is also one of four regional tech schools whose associate degree graduates are guaranteed admission to a 51���� bachelor’s degree program and the seamless transfer of at least 60 credits. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors.

If you are planning to finish your associate degree and want to remain in the Waukesha County area, this could be a good option for you. Reach out to your advisor for more information or contact WCTC’s enrollment team by email at  enroll@wctc.edu. Students who wish to transfer to WCTC won’t have to complete a full application – just fill out a brief intent form on WCTC’s transfer website dedicated to Waukesha students. 

Find more information at the   or go directly to the . &�Բ�����;

You are urged to reach out to your advisor to discuss your options and for any assistance with the transfer process.

Students interested in future terms are encouraged to explore an associate degree at WCTC, or a bachelor’s degree at 51����’s main campus or through our top-ranked online educational offerings.

(Updated May 15, 2024)

51���� at Waukesha will remain through the 2024-2025 academic year and will close after the Spring 2025 semester, by June 30, 2025. Talk with an academic advisor about what degree completion or transfer options are available to you after the Spring 2025 semester.

If you want to finish your associate degree in Waukesha County, under an agreement signed May 13, 2024, 51���� and Waukesha County Technical College have made it easier for College of General Studies students to transfer to WCTC and complete the WCTC Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Find more information at the  or go directly to the . 

If you would like to transition your application to 51����’s main campus, log into your and select the Campus Change Request form. The form will prompt you to select a campus and specify an entry term. Typically, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will process the Campus Change Request form within 1-3 business days. (

For questions about courses and credits, you should contact your academic advisor. On the Waukesha campus, students can work with an advisor in the Student Affairs office. For questions about transcripts, status and records, contact the Registrar’s Office.

(Updated Oct. 8, 2024) 

Students who transition into a bachelor’s degree program to the main 51���� campus will be charged the listed program rates. Main campus segregated fees will apply.  

Students who choose to finish their 51���� associate degree through the main campus (in person and/or online courses) will be charged the associate degree program rate through the duration of the teach-out plan, which is anticipated to be available through Spring 2027 for any AAS students enrolled during Fall 2024 or Spring 2025. Main campus segregated fees will apply.   

Students who choose to transition to the online Flex AAS will be charged the listed program rate. 

(Updated Oct. 8, 2024)

51���� Transition Scholarship

51���� is offering one-time transition scholarships for current Waukesha students who enroll at 51���� in Fall 2025.

• A $500 scholarship is available for students continuing at the associate degree level. &�Բ�����;
• A $1,000 scholarship is available for students continuing or transitioning into the bachelor’s degree level. 

Scholarship details:

• The scholarship is a one-time award (non-renewable). �į�į&�Բ�����;
• The scholarship amounts listed above apply to full-time enrollment (12 credits). Students who enroll part time (1-11 credits) will receive 50% of those amounts. &�Բ�����;
• The scholarship is awarded for the 2025-26 academic year, and the amount will be divided evenly between the fall and spring terms.   
• The scholarship will automatically be awarded to Spring 2025 enrollees from the Waukesha campus within two weeks of the student enrolling for Fall 2025 courses. No additional steps are required.

Students are encouraged to apply for other 51���� scholarships via the .

Waukesha County Community Foundation scholarships

The 51���� at Waukesha Foundation will be moving its scholarships to the Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF), which supports the educational needs of the Waukesha County community.

Scholarship details are as follows: 

• Any Waukesha County resident or graduate of a Waukesha County high school who is a new or continuing student at any Universities of Wisconsin institution is eligible to apply for these scholarships.  
• Scholarship awards are paid directly to the campus where the student is attending.

The foundation’s scholarship portal will open late January 2025. More information on WCCF scholarships can be found on the .

51���� will work with current 51���� at Waukesha students to complete their coursework via the online degree offerings. As more information becomes available, 51���� will work with students individually.

(Updated April 15, 2024)

Contact your academic advisor as soon as you notice the class is not available or is canceled. They will work with you to identify a class offered by 51���� online (or at the main campus if necessary), and help you obtain the permission to enroll.  

Associate degree-seeking students will continue to pay the associate degree tuition rate.    

Under an agreement signed May 13, 2024, 51���� and Waukesha County Technical College have made it easier for College of General Studies students to transfer to WCTC and complete the WCTC Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. WCTC is also one of four regional tech schools whose associate degree graduates are guaranteed admission to a 51���� bachelor’s degree program and the seamless transfer of at least 60 credits. However, you might need to meet certain requirements to be admitted to specific majors.

If you are planning to finish your associate degree and want to remain in the Waukesha area, this could be a good option for you. Reach out to your advisor for more information or contact WCTC’s enrollment team by email at enroll@wctc.edu. Students who wish to transfer to WCTC won’t have to complete a full application – just fill out a brief intent form in the section on WCTC’s transfer website dedicated to College of General Studies students.

Find more information at the  or go directly to the . 

The Lubar College of Business plans to continue admitting pre-business and business students at the Waukesha campus for the 2024-25 academic year. Upon the closure of Waukesha campus after the Spring 2025 semester, we will provide pathways for the affected pre-business and business students at the Waukesha campus to earn a BBA degree from the Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business.

There are no issues with capacity, should any Waukesha students want to switch to the Milwaukee campus at any time during the 2024-25 academic year or in Fall 2025. Students can just ask for their campus to be changed, at any time.

There is great demand for online courses, so students should register as soon as they are eligible for the best availability in online courses. We will do our best to accommodate students interested in online courses just as we do with current students.

51���� is developing plans for a 51���� University Center at WCTC and will then seek approval of our accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission, for the additional location.

The Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business currently has articulation agreements with WCTC for students completing their AAS in Business Management or the AAS in Supply Chain Management. We are also exploring the possibility of an accounting agreement. The college is also committed to participating in the proposed 51���� University Center on the WCTC campus to provide a pathway to earn a BBA degree.

If you would like to transition your application to 51����’s main campus, log into your and select the Campus Change Requestform. The form will prompt you to select a campus and specify an entry term. Typically, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will process the Campus Change Request form within one to three business days.

Pre-nursing students who intend to start the professional nursing major after June 2025 should apply to 51����’s nursing program for the Milwaukee or UW-Parkside sites, depending on their preference. 

Students in the professional major (i.e., current juniors and seniors) will graduate in May 2024 (seniors) and May 2025 (juniors). You will continue your courses on the Waukesha campus until you graduate. The campus closure will not affect you.

If a student currently in the professional major doesn’t graduate by May 2025, for example if they get behind their cohort due to dropping or failing a class, they will be offered space at the UW-Milwaukee main campus.

Note: The information below details the plan for Waukesha students in this situation. Please read all this information carefully.

• Waukesha students will apply for admission to the professional major using the same process that all students use (i.e. holistic admissions). Waukesha students will have the option to choose their preferred site (Waukesha or Milwaukee).
• Space: There will be enough space in the Waukesha cohort for all Waukesha students who qualify for the professional major through the nursing holistic admission process.
• Nursing students admitted to the Waukesha cohort that begin the professional major in January 2025 will complete semester 1 on the Waukesha campus. Students will then transfer to the 51���� Milwaukee campus for Fall 2025 and complete semesters 2, 3 and 4 at the Milwaukee campus.
• Tuition and Fees: During their first semester, Waukesha nursing students will pay Waukesha’s segregated fees. For semesters 2, 3 and 4, they will pay 51����’s segregated fees. Tuition costs between the campuses are the same. 
• Waukesha nursing students will maintain their cohort. This means Waukesha nursing students admitted in January 2025 will be taught a separate section of all theory and clinical courses throughout all four semesters of their program. This will be known as the “Waukesha Nursing Cohort.” This cohort will include all students who completed the holistic admissions process and meet all program eligibility requirements to start the professional nursing major at the Waukesha campus in January 2025.
• The January 2025 cohort of students is the only time this cohort experience will be offered for Waukesha students. All other students after this date will apply to the professional nursing major at either the Milwaukee or Parkside sites. 
• The 51���� Nursing program is committed to finding clinical sites for Waukesha students as close to Waukesha as possible. Clinicals may be in the surrounding area (within a 45-minute drive one-way of the Waukesha campus). 
• Simulation: Waukesha students already come to the Milwaukee campus for simulation, so this will not be a change in the current practice.
• In Fall 2025, the Waukesha Nursing cohort will take their Clinical Nursing Skills II (N423) class at the simulation center on the Milwaukee campus. Students will have completed the pre-requisite to N423, Clinical Nursing Skills I (N354), in Spring 2025 on the Waukesha campus.
• If a student in the Waukesha cohort that moves to 51���� gets behind their cohort due to dropping or failing a class, they’ll be offered space at the UW-Milwaukee main campus.

The partnership the 51���� School of Nursing has with WCTC is for RN-to-BSN completion. This is where students who complete their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can seamlessly transfer into 51����’s RN-to-BSN Nursing program online to complete their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BS in Nursing). There are no plans currently to establish a traditional on-site 4-year BS in Nursing program at WCTC.

No. Waukesha students will be admitted to their own cohort in January 2025, and Waukesha students will be taught in their own Waukesha section of all courses on the Milwaukee campus semesters 2, 3 and 4, provided students do not get behind. 

Students who are declared undergraduates in the Psychology major at Waukesha can continue to pursue their degree at Waukesha through Spring 2025. Students who do not graduate by May 2025 can change locations and join the main campus Psychology major. The requirements for both programs are the same, so it will be a seamless transition. Students can choose to enroll in person, online or in a mixed modality. Students also can opt to change their location and join the main campus Psychology major prior to Spring 2025.

Yes. Waukesha students who are AAS students during academic year 2024-25 can internally transfer into the undergraduate career as declared Psych majors anytime during academic year 2024-25, and move to online, in-person at 51����’s main campus, or a mix during or after Spring 2025. Generally speaking, AAS students are advised to apply for internal transfer in the semester they are completing the AAS, but they could do the transfer at any time and move forward in the BA Psych program.

There are no problems with capacity should any Waukesha students want to switch to the Milwaukee campus at any time during academic year 2024-25 or in Fall 2025. Students can just ask for their campus to be changed, at any time.

We currently have quite full online sections in Psychology, so in the unlikely event that nearly all Psychology at Waukesha students choose to switch to online-only, if we hit capacity limits, we will need to add additional resources to accommodate all students.

We are developing plans for a 51���� University Center at WCTC and will then seek approval of our accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission, for the additional location. We hope to know by early Fall 2024 which programs we will be able to offer at WCTC in Fall of 2025.

If you would like to transition your application to 51����’s main campus, log into your and select the Campus Change Request form. The form will prompt you to select a campus and specify an entry term. Typically, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will process the Campus Change Request form within 1-3 business days.

(Updated Dec. 11, 2024)

51���� at Waukesha academic staff, limited appointees and university staff received nonrenewal or layoff notices from the 51���� Department of Human Resources the week of May 6, 2024. 

(Updated Dec. 11, 2024)

51���� at Waukesha faculty received layoff notices on Aug 26, 2024 following   

(Updated Dec. 11, 2024)

CGS employees have been automatically enrolled in the Priority Referral Program. This gives employees priority access to 51���� non-faculty recruitments. Active faculty and instructional academic staff recruitments are listed at uwm.edu/jobs and shared on a bi-weekly basis in the CGS Closure Update email.

(Updated Oct. 24, 2024) 

Tenured faculty members who have been laid off have the rights described in . &�Բ�����;51���� clarified CGS faculty reappointment rights in an October 24, 2024, message with the subject line “Important information regarding CGS faculty layoffs”.  

(Updated Oct. 24, 2024) 

All employees have the option of participating in the Priority Referral Program, which provides priority access to non-faculty positions for 51���� employees who have received layoff or nonrenewal notices. Open faculty positions are being shared via the biweekly CGS updates and are posted online. CGS staff may apply for any of these positions. 

Apart from the main campus, HR is working with other UW institutions and nearby technical colleges to highlight open positions and, in the case of WCTC, provide priority access to such positions for CGS staff. 

Unemployment benefits are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) at . Information on eligibility can be found in the . You will find answers to many questions in the DWD Unemployment Benefits Resources. See the DWD for more information. If you are unable to go online, you can call the DWD at 414-435-7069 or 844-910-3661 Monday through Friday, 6:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The DWD reports that Mondays and Tuesdays are its busiest days, so be prepared for potential delays. &�Բ�����;

Unemployment benefits are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) at . You will find answers to many questions in the DWD Unemployment Benefits Resources. If you are unable to go online, you can call the Department of Workforce Development at 414-435-7069 or toll-free at 844-910-3661 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 6:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The DWD reports that Mondays and Tuesdays are its busiest days, so be prepared for potential delays. 

(Updated Dec. 11, 2024)

As 51���� works with WCTC to create the 51���� University Center at WCTC, we anticipate students will pursue their associate degree at WCTC and WCTC’s enrollment will grow. As it does, WCTC has committed to 51���� that it will seek to make employment opportunities available to 51���� faculty and other staff as enrollment growth supports. 

51���� has worked closely with WCTC to provide information and other resources for employment opportunities there. Opportunities have been made available and WCTC has hired several CGS employees.  

Career opportunities at WCTC are posted on its . For questions about an opening, please contact WCTC HR Services at HRServices@wctc.edu or 262-691-5565.  Please check the box indicating that you are a 51���� at Waukesha employee. Find more information in this and the . �į�į&�Բ�����;

51���� evaluates its workforce needs on an ongoing basis, but this decision is limited to closing CGS. If employees have questions about their unit’s budgetary situation and workforce plans, they should contact their supervisor.

(Updated Dec. 11, 2024)

We will provide more information as quickly as possible. Please review the FAQs for updates.  

Please do not hesitate to contact your assigned HR Business Partner or Benefits Specialist. To schedule private benefits consultations, you may also email benefits@uwm.edu. Questions regarding your specific tax, financial or legal questions should be directed to your personal tax and financial advisors, attorney, or another advisor. 

Job Placement Services  

Job placement services for employees are available via WOWORKS (the Waukesha Ozaukee Washington Workforce Development Board) and Forward Careers. Employees that would like to take advantage of Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act benefits (WIOA), which includes resources such as career planning, resume review and interviewing assistance, should contact Rapid Response Coordinator Kathy Wolfe at kwolfe@forwardcareers.org. More information about offerings can be found on the  s���ٱ�.&�Բ�����;

CGS employees have been automatically enrolled in the Priority Referral Program. This gives employees priority access to 51���� non-faculty recruitments. Active faculty and instructional academic staff recruitments are listed in the bi-weekly Update on the CGS Closure email, which can also be found here: Waukesha Campus Closure – 51���� College of General Studies 

Career Resources 

For those unable to attend previous Human Resources sponsored workshops, the following resources are available:  

• Watch the  �į�į&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;
• Register for a mock interview using this or by contacting Kathy Wolfe at . �į&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;
• Review Department of Workforce Development’s resources on job readiness, job searches, resumes, and interviewing:   
• Visit 51����’s Employee Assistance Program site, through Acentra Health, for resources to assist with your job search. Acentra Health is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Please contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at . Sign in using 51����’s password: SOWI.   

Employees are encouraged to use the services of 51����’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Acentra Health, which is available to all 51���� employees and their family members. Acentra Health is free, confidential and available 24/7. Please contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at  Sign in using 51����’s password: SOWI. 

The Center for Student Experience and Talent provides resources for students, including graduate students. More information can be found in SET’s Career Communities and Services webpage.

Job placement services for employees are available via WOWORKS (the Waukesha Ozaukee Washington Workforce Development Board) and Forward Careers. Employees that would like to take advantage of Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act benefits (WIOA), which includes resources such as career planning, resume review and interviewing assistance, should contact Rapid Response Coordinator Kathy Wolfe at kwolfe@forwardcareers.org. More information about offerings can be found on the  s���ٱ�.&�Բ�����;

CGS employees have been automatically enrolled in the Priority Referral Program. This gives employees priority access to 51���� non-faculty recruitments. Active faculty and instructional academic staff recruitments are listed in the bi-weekly Update on the CGS Closure email, which can also be found on the Waukesha Campus Closure webpage.

For those unable to attend previous Human Resources sponsored workshops, the following resources are available:  

• Watch the  �į�į&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;
• Register for a mock interview using this or by contacting Kathy Wolfe at . �į&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;
• Review Department of Workforce Development’s resources on job readiness, job searches, resumes, and interviewing:   
• Visit 51����’s Employee Assistance Program site, through Acentra Health, for resources to assist with your job search. Acentra Health is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Please contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at . Sign in using 51����’s password: SOWI.  

Sick leave is governed by . Under the policy: 
All sick leave earned as a Universities of Wisconsin employee will transfer to a successive Universities of Wisconsin leave-eligible appointment. If there is a break in employment, see Section 6.F of this policy to determine if the employee is eligible for sick leave reinstatement. 

• Move to UWs Project Position: If an employee is moving from a project position within the Universities of Wisconsin to a successive leave-eligible position within the Universities of Wisconsin on or after July 1, 2015, all leave earned in the project position will transfer into any successive leave-eligible appointment. See . 
• Move to State of Wisconsin: All sick leave earned as a University employee will move to a State of Wisconsin agency. See . 
• Move to Technical College and all other transitions:   
  • If an employee terminates all leave-earning employment with UW System before attainment of 20 years of state service, retirement, or death, and is not moving to another sick-leave eligible appointment with the Universities of Wisconsin or State of Wisconsin agency, accrued sick leave is lost unless the employee returns to Universities of Wisconsin or State employment and is eligible for sick leave reinstatement per Section 6.F of the policy. 
  • Unused sick leave may be converted to credits to pay for State Group Health Insurance at layoff, termination with 20 years of service, retirement, or death. For more information, please closely review the . In most cases, you ���ܲ��� be covered under the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program when you separate to be eligible to use your sick leave credits to pay health insurance premiums. There are limited exceptions.  

If you leave employment with the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) before reaching minimum retirement age, you have two options: 

1. Wait until you reach at least minimum retirement age (and are vested) to take a . This means you will keep your WRS account open with Employee Trust Funds (ETF) and it will continue to earn interest until you apply for a benefit. 
2. Take a separation benefit. This is a one-time, lump-sum payment consisting only of employee contributions, additional contributions (if applicable), and accumulated interest. Review ETF’s to learn about the significant consequences of this decision.  

Contact Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Visit ETF’s for more information.  

If you take your retirement benefit, you may be eligible to roll over your WRS payment to an IRA. For more information, review ETF’s and . To ensure accurate information that considers your personal circumstances, you should consult with a tax or financial advisor. 

The UWs is currently under review, although revisions are not likely to affect this issue. While copyright law vests copyright ownership of works created by employees in the scope of their employment with the UWs, the UWs generally transfer copyright ownership in a ”scholarly work” to the author, unless there is a specific agreement governing any work. The UWs retain a license to use such works to meet its business needs, including, but not limited to curricular decision-making and accreditation issues, course continuity and student accessibility, and federal and state agency requests. 

Per Wis. Stat. Sec. 36. 22(15)(b) and 51���� Faculty Policies and Procedures sec. 5.73, a faculty member on layoff status has the right to continued use of university-wide facilities.  

Emeritus status may be conferred at retirement as described in SAAP 7-5, Emerit Status. 

Termination of layoff status is addressed in Wis. Stat. Sec. 36.22(11)(b). Layoff status ends upon reappointment, upon resignation, or when an employee accepts an alternative continuing position in the system. 

Yes. Available UWs opportunities are regularly shared in the bi-weekly update on the CGS Closure, which can be found here on the Waukesha Campus Closure webpage. UW-Platteville created a . They will share your application with the appropriate department chairs and deans to ensure it is reviewed for potential opportunities. 

(Updated March 26, 2024)

This Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) provides a one-time separation incentive for eligible University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee employees, authorized by the chancellor, to offer an additional option to eligible faculty who may be subject to layoff. The VSIP is not being offered to close the Waukesha campus earlier than the end of the Spring 2025 semester. The planned closing date for the Waukesha campus is still between the end of the Spring 2025 semester and June 30, 2025.

No, the VSIP is not an entitlement or benefit, but rather is intended to supplement the range of budget management options available to the chancellor. 

College of General Studies tenured faculty and limited appointees with a concurrent tenured faculty position, who are eligible for a partial or full retirement annuity from the State of Wisconsin (i.e., 55 years of age and five years of service in most cases, with some differences depending on the employee’s start date), including those currently on a leave of absence or sabbatical. 

Otherwise eligible employees who have submitted written notice of retirement/resignation, have been provided notice of non-renewal, or layoff, or an at-risk letter prior to March 11, 2024, when CGS’s closure was announced.  

Employees who are not College of General Studies tenured faculty and limited appointees with a concurrent tenured faculty position. 

College of General Studies tenured faculty and limited appointees with a concurrent faculty position who are not eligible for a partial or full retirement annuity from the state. 

The faculty layoff process is the longest and most complicated of our employee separation processes. It will take approximately 15-17 months, so this alternative will expedite that separation while allowing those faculty to plan immediately for their futures. It also offers an additional option to eligible faculty who may be subject to layoff. Because of the cost involved, 51���� cannot offer the VSIP for all affected staff and is reserving the option for those subject to the long layoff process. 51���� has only ever offered the VSIP to employees eligible for retirement with a full or partial annuity. 

For tenured faculty, including faculty on leave or sabbatical: an amount equal to 100% of the employee’s base salary as of March 11, 2024. 

For limited appointees with a concurrent tenured faculty position: an amount equal to 100% of the employee’s faculty base salary as of March 11, 2024. 

Employees participating in the VSIP may select the following separation dates:  

1. May 19, 2024, or  
2. Aug. 23, 2024 
   1. Employees who select the Aug. 23, 2024, separation date must return to work on Aug. 19, 2024, and work Aug. 19–Aug. 23, 2024, to remain eligible for the VSIP. 51���� will assign work for the week.  

The work assignments have yet to be determined but would likely relate to fall welcome activities or CGS closure tasks. 

You are eligible to receive retirement benefits when: 

1. You end all WRS-covered employment; and 
2. You are vested in the Wisconsin Retirement System; and 
3. You reach the minimum retirement age of 55 (age 50 for those in the Protective WRS category). 

The 51���� Department of Human Resources notified all potentially eligible employees, via email, of their eligibility on March 25, 2024, with a VSIP separation agreement.  

Please contact your assigned HR Business Partner or Benefits Specialist.  

Base salary will be based upon appointment total FTE percentage on March 11, 2024, and does not include overload, overtime, WinteriM and/or summer payment, increases due to an interim appointment or any other payments above base salary.

March 11, 2024, is the date the chancellor announced the closure of the College of General Studies.  

The incentive will be paid in a lump sum payment on the paycheck immediately prior to separation.  

If you wish to update your tax withholdings, please  

1. Update your W-4 via . 
2. Review the . 

No. A VSIP lump sum payment is not WRS-reportable, per ETF Retirement System Administration Manual . 

There are two disbursement options available for the incentive payment. 

1. A lump sum payment. 
2. Contributions to a Health Savings Account, 403(b), 457 or similar plan for which the employee may be eligible at the time of separation within the established contributions for each plan. Employees must have taken the necessary steps to establish such a plan before any contribution can be made to it. 

If contributing to SRP 403(b), you must:  

1. Be enrolled with the vendor prior to the first contributions taking place –  
2. Complete a salary reduction agreement (SRA) form –  
3. Write on top of the SRA form: SEPARATION INCENTIVE. 
4. If you need to change it back or stop AFTER the separation incentive is paid, you will need to complete another form indicating the change/stop. Submit both forms at the same time. 
   1. Write on top of the second SRA: AFTER SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAID. 

If contributing to WDC 457 Plan:  

1. Enroll now with WDC (877-457-9327). You must be enrolled at least one month before the first contributions take place.  
2. Let WDC know the amount and when to expect it to be contributed. 
3. UW System will work with WDC directly to process the contribution. 

If distributing to Health Savings Account (HSA): 

1.  Complete an HSA Change form as a one-time contribution.  
   1. Write on top of form: LEAVE PAYOUT. 

Yes. However, no combination of the methods selected may exceed the maximum payment amount for which an employee qualifies. 

To ensure accurate information that considers your personal circumstances, you should consult with a tax advisor or consultant regarding tax liability for the VSIP payment. General information about typical tax treatment of elective deferrals follows. 

The VSIP payment is subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. The portion of the VSIP payment used to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes is considered taxable income for federal and state tax purposes, which creates a federal and state tax liability. Therefore, the entire amount of the VSIP payment cannot be tax-deferred with the UW 403(b) SRP or the WDC 457 Program.  

Yes.

March 25, 2024–May 10, 2024. 

The separation agreement is non-negotiable, though no employee is required to participate in the program if the agreement’s terms are not acceptable to the employee.

No, employees are responsible for consulting their own tax or financial advisor, attorney or another advisor. 

No. Any and all accrued leave, including banked leave, must be paid out in a lump sum upon separation if you participate in the VSIP. The VSIP is a voluntary program and there is no requirement that an employee participate in the program.  

VSIP participants are not eligible to be employed by 51���� for a minimum of 75 days from the date of separation. 

Employees are eligible for benefits as prescribed through employee participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System. 

(Updated April 24, 2024)

1. Review Wisconsin Department of materials and .
2. The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) representatives were at the 51���� at Waukesha campus on April 10, 2024, to provide information about retirement and answer specific questions about your retirement situation.  
3. You may contact ETF at 877-533-5020 or 608-266-3285 at any time before or after April 10, 2024, with questions regarding your retirement. 
4. Review the 51���� Retirement and for resources.  

You are not required to formally retire and claim your retirement benefits to participate in the VSIP.  

Your health insurance coverage terminates at the end of the month in which you separate.  

Please closely review the . In most cases, you must be covered under the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program when you separate to be eligible to use your sick leave credits to pay health insurance premiums. There are limited exceptions.

Please review the  

No. Participation in the VSIP is completely voluntary.

(Updated April 24, 2024)

The 51���� Department of Human Resources benefits specialists held a VSIP presentation for interested employees on April 3 and April 19 at 51���� at Waukesha. Here is a . For appointments or questions, email benefits@uwm.edu.  

Questions regarding your specific retirement benefits should be directed to . 

Questions regarding your specific tax, financial or legal questions should be directed to your personal tax and financial advisors, attorney or another advisor.  

For all other questions, please contact benefits@uwm.edu or your assigned HR Business Partner or Benefits Specialist.