Advocates Push to Increase Funding For UW System

Wednesday’s Wisconsin Future Panel included Anne Norman (left), Tina Chang, David Crowley, Cavalier Johnson and Jack Salzwedel.

Civic leaders from across the state gathered in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday to advocate for increased funding for the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs), raising concerns about the state’s 43rd-place ranking in per-pupil funding among public four-year universities.

During a press conference and panel discussion at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, advocates including Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman highlighted “critical issues” including workforce development, population growth and talent retention, which they said depend on increased funding.

Last summer, Rothman announced a proposal to request $855 million in new state funding over two years, which would help address ongoing financial issues and bring the UWs to the national median funding level.

The system’s Board of Regents approved the proposal in August.

“With that funding, we would be in a better position to innovate, develop talent and partner with businesses and communities,” Rothman said. “Without it, access and affordability will be threatened.”

As of Feb. 5, 20 regional business chambers and organizations have signed a letter urging lawmakers to support the funding, with an additional 800 individuals, including 500 affiliated with business and community organizations, adding their names.

Mayor Johnson, a first-generation college student and graduate of the UW-Madison, linked UW funding to his long-standing goal of growing Milwaukee’s population to 1 million. Necessary funding, he said, would help the UWs — specifically UW-Milwaukee — attract more students and, in turn, permanent residents.

“Young people will not just attend the university, but also call Milwaukee home,” he said, expressing hope that graduates would stay local, start businesses and employ Milwaukee residents. “This helps create a stronger economic foundation for the people who live in Milwaukee.”

County Executive David Crowley, a recent graduate of UWM, spoke to his unique position as a non-traditional student.

“UW-Milwaukee has done great work for me, even prior to me getting my degree just last year,” he said. “Becoming a state representative, working in politics, representing this community as Milwaukee County Executive, a lot of that can be contributed to the lessons I’ve learned from UW Milwaukee — from the time I was introduced to them as a young person, to returning back and finally walking across that stage.”

For additional support, advocates looked to a room full of UW success stories. Approximately 75 up-and-coming leaders representing 19 business organizations attended the panel discussion. Wearing color-coded stickers to represent their alma maters, attendees were invited to share testimonials about their college experience, sign the letter to lawmakers and take further action by contacting legislators.

Crowley and Johnson were among the panelists, alongside SysLogic CEO Tina Chang and Anne Norman, the executive vice president, chief marketing and product strategy officer for UW Credit Union. Jack Salzwedel, former CEO of American Family Insurance and current UW regent, was the moderator. Hoan Group, a Milwaukee-based organization, hosted the event.

The discussion centered on the UWs’ role in developing talent and contributing to Wisconsin’s economic growth, as well as challenges, including a decline in high school graduates pursuing secondary education.

Rothman, who returned to the stage for a Q&A, pointed to the success of states like Texas and Florida, which have made similar investments in education. He emphasized that the issue should be viewed as non-partisan.

“They made the investment in education because they know that long-term economic growth is centered around having as many capable people as possible earn their degrees,” Rothman said. “I spent 35 years in the private sector … if you want to grow, you have to invest—and that’s no different in academia.”

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