11-10-17 regents approve uw system merger plan

The University of Wisconsin System regents have approved a plan to merge the system’s two-year schools with its four-year campuses.   The plan calls for transforming the system’s 13 two-year schools into regional branches of seven of the 13 four-year schools. Students could still earn associate degrees but they would bear the name of the four-year school.  Regional executive officer and Dean for the two year campuses, Martin Rudd, told WFDL news students would get a wider range of courses to choose from and be able to take third- and fourth-year courses at the branch campuses.    UW Fond du lac would become a regional branch of UW-Oshkosh.  Rudd says it would also make students’ degrees more attractive and ease transfers to the four year schools.  Rudd says the move is designed to bolster two year school enrollment which has dropped 32 percent between 2010 and this fall.   System President Ray Cross proposed the plan as a means of bolstering declining enrollment at the two-year schools and keep them open.  Cross’ plan also calls for UW-Madison to take over UW Extension programs.