Please note this only impacts UW-Milwaukee's branch campus in Washington County. In-person teaching continues as normal at UW-Milwaukee's flagship campus in Milwaukee.
WEST BEND, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin decided to end in-person instruction at their UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW Oshkosh at Fond du Lac campuses.
Meanwhile, UW-Platteville Richland will be closed, according to an announcement from Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman on Tuesday.
The goal date to end in-person instruction at the two campuses is June 2024.
"It's kind of a bummer because, most of us, we're probably going to go here for two years. We obviously can't now," said Mason Peters, a student pursuing computer science at UW-Milwaukee Washington County.
Peters said while he'd have to commute, or pay more to live in Milwaukee, he'll likely pursue a transfer to the city's campus for his second year.
"I don't learn the best online. It's not the easiest to do it online. I think it will probably be best to move to a bigger campus for most people," he said.
According to a statement from the UW-Milwaukee, they are closing the UWM at Washington County campus by June 30, 2024. UWM said they are exploring options to "meet the needs of students and employers in the county while ensuring the university’s long-term success."
UWM at Washington County will stop accepting new student applications; new students can apply to UWM’s main campus, to UWM at Waukesha or to one of UWM’s online programs.
According to UWM Chancellor Mark Mone in their statement, “We remain committed to students in Washington County, which is why we plan to strengthen our partnership with Moraine Park Technical College based on demand and interest.”
According to President Rothman in a statement, “It’s time for us to realign our branch campuses to current market realities and prepare for the future. The status quo is not sustainable. This decision is a response to an evolving student marketplace. Offering students an educational experience they deserve while working with local leaders to ensure it meets their expectations is key to our long-term success.”
Rothman said the changes aren't driven by costs. On Monday, however, UW Oshkosh announced 140 layoffs and 76 voluntary retirements as part of steps to deal with an $18 million deficit.
Read the full announcement from the UW below:
Richland campus to close, two others end in-person instruction,under directive from President Rothman
MADISON, Wis. – Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman announced today his decision to end inperson instruction at two additional branch campuses and to close one branch campus. Rothman also
directed chancellors overseeing the remaining two-year campuses to work with local officials to determine
the best uses for facilities to meet student and community needs.
The two campuses at which in-person instruction will end are UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW
Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campus; the goal date is June 2024. UW-Platteville Richland will be closed. The
decision follows Rothman’s earlier directive to chancellors to explore the long-term viability of the branch
campuses.
“It’s time for us to realign our branch campuses to current market realities and prepare for the future. The
status quo is not sustainable,” Rothman said. “This decision is a response to an evolving student
marketplace. Offering students an educational experience they deserve while working with local leaders to
ensure it meets their expectations is key to our long-term success.”
Rothman recently informed chancellors of his decision.
The actions would leave 10 remaining branch campuses located in Barron County, Baraboo, Manitowoc,
Marinette, Marshfield, Menasha (Fox Cities), Rock County, Sheboygan, Waukesha, and Wausau.
Rothman charged the chancellors overseeing the 10 campuses to discuss future options with local county
governments that own the buildings in which classes are offered.
“We want to work with the counties to determine the best way for our universities to serve their
communities,” Rothman said. “This reassessment is designed to ensure facilities are used in ways that meet
community needs and provide long-term stability.”
He said those conversations will involve utilizing the existing campuses or other possible locations in a
range of ways, including offering four-year and graduate degree options, upskilling and reskilling
opportunities for the existing workforce, expanding dual enrollment, or opening ‘navigation centers’ for high
school and nontraditional students seeking guidance on their university journey. Rothman said retaining the
remaining branch campuses is an option that will be determined by community needs and the ability of the
Universities of Wisconsin to meet those needs.
Choices made by the vast majority of traditional and nontraditional students are driving the decision,
Rothman said, not cost savings.
“We are seeing freshman enrollment rising at most of our four-year campuses while enrollment at the twoyear campuses has been falling at a rapid rate for years,” Rothman said. “Moreover, online enrollment has
been trending up as well. The market is telling us that increasingly students are pursuing a degree at our
four-year campuses or online.”
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Rothman added that the student experience is waning on some branch campuses because of the decline in
enrollment. Existing students attending the campuses where in-person learning will be no longer available
will be offered enrollment options at other universities.
Rothman told chancellors to embark on the negotiations promptly with the goal of cementing a clear
pathway by early spring 2024.
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The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 161,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the
universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power,
contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state
Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a
23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture
and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual
energy
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