Regents seek reactions to 'efficiency' plan

The Brillion News

MADISON - University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents President Andrew S. Petersen announced Thursday, May 14, that a series of virtual stakeholder partner meetings will be held to discuss and solicit feedback on the "Blueprint for the UW System Beyond COVID-19" plan.

The dialogues will also seek other reform ideas from shared governance leaders.

The meetings follow the release last week of the Blueprint by UW System President Ray Cross.

A story on the Blueprints plan is on page 15 of the May 14 print edition of The Brillion News.

“We appreciate President Cross’ thoughtful and measured vision for the UW System,” Regents President Petersen said. “Now it’s time for input from faculty and staff through their shared governance representatives. With the looming financial challenges, we want to absorb all ideas as we approach difficult decisions in the months ahead.”

Details regarding the one-hour meetings for UW System shared governance representatives are as follows:

• Monday, May 18: UW-La Crosse, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, UW-Superior

• Tuesday, May 19: UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater

• Thursday, May 21: UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point

Shared governance representatives will receive invitations to the virtual meetings from their campus leadership.

Four Regents will be invited to the meetings. Petersen announced Regents Edmund Manydeeds III, Robert Atwell, Karen Walsh, and Tracey Klein will serve as liaisons with the shared governance groups as universities, UW System leadership, and the Board of Regents review the Blueprint and additional reform proposals in the weeks and months ahead.

The stakeholder feedback meetings will be recorded and shared with the full Board of Regents.

The Blueprint proposed by President Cross calls for more decision-making at the UW System level to:

• Refine the missions of the 11 comprehensive universities; assess programs and eliminate unnecessary duplication of programs.

• Further consolidate administrative functions under UW-Shared Services.

• Increase the UW System’s online courses through UW Extended Campus.

Cross said universities will also have to review non-academic student services and administrative programs. Cross urged Regents last week to engage shared governance groups in discussion over the Blueprint.

“The Regent liaisons will have the ability to directly engage on these key issues,” Petersen said. “The goal is to position the UW System through the financial challenges posed by the pandemic so that we are stronger and more competitive when we get through it.”