MADISON, Wis. – Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today provided the Board of Regents with an overview of the outreach initiatives the UWs have been engaged in to build support for their biennial budget ask.
As part of his regular report to the regents, he said the UWs have met with, among others, the Madison Rotary Club, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Hoan Group. Rothman also participated in the recent Milwaukee Business Journal Power Breakfast.
“At these events – and pretty much everywhere else we go – we are sharing our clarion message that the Universities of Wisconsin should not be considered an expenditure, but rather a vitally important investment in the future of our state,” Rothman said. “When our public universities are strong, Wisconsin is stronger.”
Rothman said that while the UWs are “advocating to the best of our ability and believe our message is compelling, we are also considering those steps that could become requisite if our request for additional funding does not get the support we are asking for.” He added that in spite of some of the negative narratives, he remains optimistic.
He noted that response to the message of the importance of investing in the UWs has been “gratifying and supportive.” Rothman reported that hundreds of business and community leaders have signed on to a letter to legislators calling for an increase in funding for the UWs.
The new “Mascots on Main” initiative – which launches on social media next week – showcases chancellors, joined by their UW mascot, visiting local businesses to celebrate the mutual support between universities and the business community.
- See sneak preview video, “Mascots on Main”
Chancellor Mnookin chronicles “momentous year” for UW–Madison
UW–Madison is coming off a milestone year, from a rise in national research rankings to significant progress on important building projects that will modernize classroom and lab spaces to exciting growth in campus initiatives using emerging technologies.
To keep that momentum, UW–Madison must stay flexible and adaptable, with an eye on the long game. That was host Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s message to the Regents.
“We have had a momentous year with an enormous number of achievements that are building on our excellence and setting the stage for a truly exciting next chapter,” Mnookin said, while acknowledging challenges facing UW–Madison and higher education broadly.
Mnookin touted the campuswide RISE initiative, which encompasses three main areas of study – artificial intelligence, sustainability and health – to tackle grand challenges facing Wisconsin and the world. Announced last year, RISE is already spawning new collaborations among faculty who may not have worked together in the past, Mnookin said.
One example is a collaboration between the School of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine and Public Health to find new ways to treat pancreatic cancer. In another project, faculty in Radiology and Biomedical Engineering are using AI to examine lethal brain tumors.
To date, 30 faculty have been hired through RISE and an additional 15 are committed for next year, with a goal of hiring 120-150 new faculty as part of the initiative.
“Our culture draws great people here,” Mnookin said. “They work with outstanding current faculty to push the institution forward, and that draws more great minds here to Wisconsin who accelerate discovery and ultimately fuel the state’s economy. It’s a win-win-win and it’s the Wisconsin Idea in action.”
Overall, between 2019 and 2023, the university’s research expenditures leapt from $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion. That growth resulted in UW-Madison rising from 8th to 6th in the national in National Science Foundation’s HERD rankings. Nearly half of UW’s total research expenditures come from federal awards.
The achievements and growth continue against a backdrop of challenges created by recent executive orders and directives around federal funding for research. Mnookin said the long-held mission and values of UW–Madison will guide the university through the shifting landscape.
“We do not know at this point how the new administration’s policies might affect these federal grants going forward, though we can assume that there may well be a loss – and perhaps a substantial loss – of federal dollars,” Mnookin said.
“Our responsibility, over the weeks and months ahead, will be to ensure we’re taking appropriate actions to comply with federal laws while also preserving our mission and, simultaneously, staying true to our core commitments, including our commitments to evidence-based research; to freedom of speech and academic freedom; to fearless sifting and winnowing, to supporting fairness, opportunity, and the respect for the human dignity of all members of our community.”
To advance the university’s mission to teaching, research and service, UW–Madison is making strides in modernizing its facilities. For instance, Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall, set to open in 2026, is the first new academic building for humanities departments within the College of Letters & Science in more than 50 years.
Demolition also begins in April to make way for a new, state-of-the-art Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center which is slated for completion in 2028. And Morgridge Hall, the new home of UW–Madison’s School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences, will open this fall.
The Frautschi Center, a ‘front door’ to the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and a living laboratory and classroom, is also expected to be completed in late 2026.
This spring, UW–Madison, in partnership with the Universities of Wisconsin, will continue to advocate for increased investment in higher education, with the goal of changing Wisconsin’s status of 43rd out of the 50 states in the measure of state investment.
Report of the UWs President
In addition to his outreach overview, President Rothman updated Regents on legislative activity, as the UWs are now entering the state biennial budget season and are focused on advocacy efforts to support their 2025-27 biennial budget request. The UWs’ request includes an $855 million operating budget increase as well as a substantial capital budget. Governor Evers’ budget address will be delivered on Feb. 18, after which his operating budget proposal will be officially introduced, with the capital budget to follow shortly thereafter. The Joint Finance Committee will then begin its budget deliberations.
“Our focus is to ensure the legislature recognizes the value that the Universities of Wisconsin bring to the state and the need for increased investment so we can continue providing a world-class education,” Rothman said.
He noted that the newly created Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency – to be known as the GOAT Committee – will be chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski and is expected to review the efficiency of the Universities of Wisconsin, as well as other state operations.
On the federal side, the significant news has been the actions announced by the new Trump Administration. “With an already fast-moving policy agenda being rolled out, I asked my team to establish a group to facilitate timely communications and provide rapid response support and guidance for all our universities,” Rothman said.
The resulting Federal Updates Working Group is coordinating on a proactive basis the UWs’ unified response to matters ranging from anticipated and proposed federal legislative actions to regulatory changes and presidential executive orders. Each of the universities has a liaison between the working group and their university’s leadership team.
“The focus is to share the most recent information we have and to ensure we are providing consistent responses and actions,” Rothman said. “This is a very, very critical issue and one we will continue to work hard to monitor, to comply with where required, and also to advocate on behalf of our universities with our state delegations. This could have very significant impacts on our universities and we’re going to do everything we can to protect the great asset that the universities are to the state of Wisconsin.”
In his regular update on some aspect of the strategic plan, Rothman shared the news that the three proposals to receive the 2024 UW Innovation Grants have been announced. The 2024 recipients are:
- Steven N. Girard of UW-Whitewater, for his proposal to produce better, more cost-effective coatings for super alloys exposed to high temperatures and for glass/ceramic coatings for biomedical implants;
- Charlotte Sortedahl of UW-Eau Claire and Dr. Min DeGruson of UW-Stout, for their proposal that builds on a partnership to bring together engineering and nursing students to improve the packaging of sterilized medical devices;
- Anja Blecking, Anna Benko, and Alexander Arnold of UW-Milwaukee, for their proposal to create a new pathway for high school graduates and students discontinued a STEM program to enter the local STEM workforce through an eight-week, paid summer internship program.
Finally, Rothman called attention to the recently announced dual degree program involving UW-La Crosse and UW-Platteville. The agreement offers students a seamless pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in physics from UW-La Crosse and a Bachelor of Science in a number of engineering fields from UW-Platteville. “It’s another way that the Universities of Wisconsin are meeting needs of both our students and employers in the state,” Rothman said.
Report of the Regent President
In her regular report to the Board, Regent President Amy B. Bogost provided an update on two ongoing chancellor searches. In the UW-Milwaukee search, semifinalist candidates have now been identified by the search and screen committee and interviews will be conducted later this month. Finalists are expected to be announced in mid-March with the on-campus visits and finalist interviews taking place the week of March 24.
The UW-Oshkosh chancellor search and screen committee is currently reviewing applications to identify semifinalists, who will then be interviewed next month. The announcement of finalists should be made by early April with on-site visits and interviews scheduled at UW-Oshkosh the week of April 7.
To accommodate the busy schedule, Bogost said the Board of Regents meeting scheduled for April 10-11 in Madison has been rescheduled to be a virtual meeting, April 15-16. Bogost added that the board will be shifting to quarterly in-person meetings with monthly virtual meetings in between.
“Our goals are to continue to conduct our business efficiently, utilize staff time and resources effectively, and still provide opportunities throughout the year to visit the campuses and have meaningful face-to-face discussions,” she said.
Turning to Regent Business Partnership Awards, Bogost noted that awards were presented last week recognizing the longstanding collaborations between the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and UW-Eau Claire. “Businesses in the Eau Chippewa Valley are hungry for talent and UW-Eau Claire is a big part of the solution, producing more than 2,000 career-ready graduates each year,” Bogost said.
Bogost told Regents that Regent Business Partnership Awards would be presented at Friday’s meeting to American Family Insurance and UW-Madison.
Education Committee
As part of an “AI In Action: Advancing the Universities of Wisconsin” presentation, a panel discussion provided an update, through both individual and collective examples, on how the Universities of Wisconsin are using artificial intelligence (AI) to advance their missions and prepare graduates to be successful.
After a brief historical overview of AI’s rapid development and the revolutionary changes it is causing, the discussion focused on how UWs are continuing to use AI and evolve in this space, showing how AI is advancing not only specific academic programs, but across all disciplines and impacting university operations. Panelists from UW-Whitewater, UW-Stout, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Oshkosh explored how campus workgroups and researchers are considering AI’s future use and implications, along with needs for additional campus AI resources.
In other business, the Education Committee:
- Approved UW-Eau Claire’s request for a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) will have an increasingly significant impact on the workforce. The rationale for the proposed B.A./B.S. in AI majors is to prepare students for fluid changes in workforce demands resulting from AI, so that they will be able to use AI tools, influence how organizations adapt AI tools, and create new AI tools. With this educational background, students will be better prepared for any data-driven occupation that employs data scientists, statisticians, market research analysts, marketing specialists, operations research analysts, database architects, as well as any occupation that involves digital media, digital humanities, or digital social sciences;
- Approved UW-Green Bay’s request for a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. This proposal is driven by the success of the existing Criminal Justice minor, which has seen rapid enrollment growth and is among the most popular minors at UW-Green Bay. Implementing a major in Criminal Justice will respond to strong student demand, regional workforce needs, and the university’s mission to promote opportunity, inclusion, and civic engagement. Students will gain practical skills through internships and field placements with local law enforcement agencies and non-profits, fostering career readiness and professional development;
- Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Master of Fine Arts in Dance. The program will fill a growing niche in the field of dance and the contemporary need for technologically innovative and culturally aware dancers, choreographers, directors, and educators. Graduates of the M.F.A. in Dance will be well-prepared for various professional pathways, within academia and beyond. In academic settings, graduates will be qualified for positions such as professors in dance, whereby they can teach choreography, performance, contemporary movement practices, and non-Western dance forms in socio-cultural and historical contexts. Outside of academia, graduates can pursue careers as artistic directors, choreographers, creative consultants, non-profit leaders, producers, stage and movement directors, and more;
- Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science and Technology. The merger of UW-Madison Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture to form the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences created the opportunity to implement a new array of programming that prepares undergraduate students for the demands of industry, research, and post-graduate study in an evolving field. There is a shortage of bachelors-level workers trained in plant science and technology in Wisconsin and across the nation. To serve the changing needs of students and respond to developments in the field, the B.S. in Agronomy and B.S. in Horticulture curriculum was re-envisioned as the B.S. in Plant Science and Technology. After its authorization, the B.S. in Agronomy and B.S. in Horticulture will be suspended;
- Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Master of Science in Learning Analytics. This program elevates the existing M.S. in Educational Psychology subplan/named option in Learning Analytics to a stand-alone degree. This will improve program visibility to potential students and employers. The program will be an online skills-based degree program designed for working professionals. Graduates will be prepared to enter positions within the education sector, such as independent education research organizations, education think tanks and start-ups, higher education administration, and education non-profits, as well as individual schools, districts, and state-level departments of education;
- Approved UW-Milwaukee’s request for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. This elevates the existing Medical Laboratory Science concentration within the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, which will increase visibility to students and external stakeholders and allows for accurate collection and reporting of program data. This program prepares students to specialize in diagnostic laboratory testing. Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, and it drives about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other healthcare professionals; however, there is a severe workforce shortage for MLS professionals;
- Approved UW-Parkside’s request for a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. The program constitutes a seamless development of a new major from the current Neuroscience concentration, utilizing existing resources to provide students with an in depth and interdisciplinary perspective on neuroscience. s. Upon program completion, students will be prepared to enter the work force as entry level researchers in the health sciences, biotechnology, or similar science fields. This program also prepares students for the often-required postgraduate education in neuroscience professions;
- Approved UW-Stout’s Revised Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees Handbook (FASLAH). These changes align policy with practice, ensure UW-Stout’s policy and practice align Regent policy, and communicate clear processes to the faculty. These include updates to the process and criteria for faculty appointments, recruitment, rank determination, annual performance evaluations, and promotion, renewal, and tenure decisions, as well as updates to the procedures for faculty layoff and termination for reasons of financial emergency or program discontinuance. The FASLAH revisions were developed in consultation with and approved by the appropriate campus governance bodies including the Faculty Senate, Provost, and Chancellor; and
- Heard a presentation by UW-Madison, “Shaping Tomorrow: Student Insights on AI’s Impact.” UW-Madison student leaders, along with a faculty moderator, provided insight into the impact of AI on their lives, now and as they consider their futures. They discussed the integration of AI into daily school, work, and personal routines; the role of AI in undergraduate research opportunities; and how considerations about AI are influencing thinking about and preparation for an evolving job market. They gave insight into how current students are thinking about and interacting with AI as they prepare to lead in a changing world.
Business & Finance Committee
Associate Vice President for Policy Analysis and Research Ben Passmore presented the findings of the UW Student Affordability Review, which was first conducted in 2022.
The review indicates that while the Universities of Wisconsin remain the most affordable in the Midwest, declining participation of low-income and first-generation students suggests that affordability remains a barrier for some. Passmore said the report does show that the 2023-24 Wisconsin Tuition Promise led to enrollment gains for those student groups, underscoring the importance of this provision in the UWs’ state budget request.
In other business, the Business & Finance Committee:
- Heard a presentation from UW-Madison in which Vice Chancellor Rob Cramer and Associate Vice Chancellor David Murphy provided an overview of finances, challenges, and priorities at UW-Madison;
- Approved an agreement on behalf of UW-Milwaukee with ReUp Education, which provides re-enrollment and retention services to students who left the university prior to degree completion. Under the initial four-year term of the agreement, UWM will pay a percentage of tuition for each returning student. This initiative is part of UW-Milwaukee’s continued efforts to improve graduation rates and student outcomes.
- Approved a memorandum of agreement on behalf of UW-Milwaukee regarding the naming of laboratories in recognition of a private donation made to the UWM Foundation. The $2 million gift supports the Great Lakes Research Vessel Construction Fund for the School of Freshwater Sciences;
- Approved the UW Status Report on Large or High-Risk Information Technology Projects. The report, presented by Chief Information Officer Steven Hopper, provides the status and noteworthy updates for 7 major IT projects across the universities. The total project portfolio is $243.3 million, a 1.3% decrease compared to the August 2024 report;
- Approved the annual report on the Strategic Plans for Major IT Projects, which offers an inventory of all ongoing and new projects, both enterprise-wide and university-specific, and includes information on each project’s business need, impact, staffing requirements, and budget. Both IT reports will be submitted to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology, pursuant to state statute;
- The committee then received a report on gifts, grants, and contracts awarded to all universities for the first six months of this fiscal year. Total awards through last December were approximately $1.4 billion; this is an increase of over 20% from the same period in the prior year and is largely attributed to research grants;
- Heard the mid-year Budget-to-Actuals Report, which reflects the status of the UWs’ budget by major areas of activity in comparison to actual financial experience for the first half of FY25. The report indicates that, in aggregate, revenues represent 51% of the revised budget forecast, and expenses represent 47.5%; and
- Received the 2024 Q3 report from the UW Office of Trust Funds. As of September 30, assets in the SWIB-managed portfolios totaled $648 million, with gains in the Long Term Fund and Income Cash Fund of 5.2% and 1.3%, respectively. Assets in the Intermediate Term Fund totaled $726 million after gains of 4.6% for that quarter, performing in-line with its benchmark.
Capital Planning & Budget Committee
In her regular report to the Capital Planning & Budget Committee, Senior Associate Vice President Alex Roe told Regents that the State Building Commission recently approved all UWs projects except the consolidated project that covered UW-Stout, UW-Whitewater, UW-Madison, and the small project program.
“We have pledged to communicate and be more transparent with the legislature and meet with them more regularly on these issues going forward,” Roe said.
She also noted that the UWs’ capital biennial budget ask is expected to be addressed several weeks following the Governor’s delivery of the biennial operating budget on Feb. 18.
Roe acknowledged the uncertain potential impact of tariffs on UWs’ construction projects, security systems, and more. “I’m bringing it to your attention because it could mean we have some budget challenges ahead of us,” she said.
In other business, the Capital Planning & Budget Committee:
- Approved UW-Green Bay’s request for authority to sell approximately 80 acres of vacant land located in Door County. UW-Green Bay received a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Judson Fuller of four 40-acre contiguous parcels of unimproved land located in Peninsula Center, Door County, in 1971. In 2022, the university made the decision to divest themselves of the property as it had not been actively used in many years. The Door County Land Trust (DCLT), a non-profit organization, was contacted to determine their interest in acquiring the property as part of their efforts to preserve and enhance the open space and ecological integrity. DCLT secured grant funding and purchased two of the four 40-acre parcels in July 2024. The remaining two parcels were deferred for purchase until additional funding was available. DCLT recently notified UW-Green Bay that they will be applying for funding to purchase the remaining two 40-acre parcels;
- Approved UW System’s request for authority to construct two All Agency maintenance and repair projects at an estimated total cost of $4,684,000 ($4,161,300 Seg Rev and $522,700 PRSB):
- At UW-Stevens Point, the Multi-Building Emergency Generator Replacements project replaces emergency generators at the Communication Arts Center (CAC), College of Professional Studies (CPS), George Stein Annex (GSA), and Trainer Natural Resources (TNR) facilities. These new generators will be natural gas units and skid mounted on an exterior concrete slab with a screen wall to match each building. All the existing emergency generators have been in service more than 50 years. Each one is undersized to provide adequate capacity to serve power to the critical circuits which protect the building during emergencies, frigid temperatures, and extended power outages.
- At UW-Madison, the West Campus Electrical Substation Renovation project replaces the electrical distribution equipment including 5kV breakers, metering, relaying, and direct current (DC) system associated with the fourteen 5kV breakers at the West Campus Electrical Substation to provide more reliable electrical service, resolve current control issues, and enhance troubleshooting capabilities. The West Campus Substation was constructed in 1966 and is owned by both UW-Madison and Madison Gas & Electric (MG&E). The UW-owned circuit breakers are original to the substation, have outlived their useful life expectancy and now produce constant control issues as well as there are no replacement parts available; and
- Heard a presentation by host campus UW-Madison, “Building for the Future.” UW-Madison’s built environment remains critical to its mission of research, education, and outreach. Partnering with the Universities of Wisconsin and the State of Wisconsin, UW-Madison is following a multi-pronged strategy to address aging facilities; an increasing backlog of deferred maintenance; and the quickly changing needs of its students, faculty and staff, and community and industry partners. As UW-Madison continues to focus on transforming its built environment, this presentation will provide an update on how the university is building for the future creating flexible solutions designed to enhance instruction, enable research, and support growth. It will also quantify the growing risk to the university if facilities needs are not addressed, while outlining plans to address this risk.
Audit Committee
Edward Murphy, Associate Vice President, and Chief Information Security Officer, provided the Audit Committee with an overview of the Universities of Wisconsin Information Security program in 2024. He highlighted key milestones and major accomplishments; security metrics; emerging threats; and plans for 2025.
The UWs technology environment is a complex mix of modern and legacy systems. UW campuses are being attacked hundreds of times a day. The education and research sector continues to be a favorite target of cyber criminals and nation-state actors who seek to disrupt operations, steal proprietary information, and attempt to profit through extortion.
- See Office of Information Security 2024 Annual Report in Board materials, starting on page 7.
In other business, the Audit Committee:
- Heard a report from Chief Audit Executive Lori Stortz including a summary of audit progress for the Fiscal Year 2025 plan;
- Heard a report on NCAA Athletics Division I and II Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagement, including reports from UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Parkside;
- Approved revision to the Audit Committee charter and approved revisions to the bylaws of the Board of Regents to rename the Audit Committee. The new name is now Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee;
- Approved update to the Office of Internal Audit charter; and
- Heard the UW-Madison NCAA Division I athletics 2023-24 report.
- See the full report in the Board materials, starting on page 61.
The next meeting of the Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin will be Friday, February 7, 2025, at UW-Madison.