Posted 9:04 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014
Chancellor Joe Gow discussed challenges and opportunities for the university in his semi-annual All-University address before faculty and staff in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition, Wednesday, Jan. 22.
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UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow[/caption]
Chancellor Joe Gow discussed challenges and opportunities for the university in his semi-annual All-University address before faculty and staff in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition, Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Gow said with a looming state budget surplus, he would like to see discussion of putting more tax dollars back into the UW System to recover costs taken out due to using one-time reserve funds. With money dropped from the original budget proposal along with a tuition freeze, he said the System needs to “get back” around $121.4 million to maintain base-level funding in the next biennium.
Gow anticipates tuition will continue to be a major point of discussion. “What gets lost is that tuition tends to go up when states cut higher education dollars,” he explained. “We really need to get some realistic dialogue going on about that.”
Compensation needs to be addressed, he said. Despite 1 percent increases in each year of this biennium, the average faculty member is 18 percent behind peers. “Talented people can go elsewhere, so we have to be careful not to lag behind anymore,” he said.
On the capital budget front, UW-L is faring better. Funding for the new Cowley Hall and student center is on track and project planning is underway.
Gow said a positive for the UW System is the recent announcement of naming current UW Colleges and UW Extension Chancellor Ray Cross president of the System. “Without a doubt, Ray is the best choice,” said Gow. “We need somebody who knows the legislature and Ray does.”
Despite the challenges, Gow offered the advice he received from an eager recent graduate as he crossed the stage during commencement: “Rock on.”
Gow also recognized:
• History Professor Victor Macías-González, who was named the 2013 Wisconsin Professor of the Year. “When you see Victor tell him how very, very proud we are of him,” he said.
• The Biology Department, which received the 2013 UW System Regents Teaching Excellence Award, which goes to one UW System program for commitment to teaching and learning.
• Roger Haro, who will receive the UW Board of Regent Diversity Award at its upcoming meeting in February. “That is very much deserved,” said Gow, noting Haro’s passion about working with first-generation students.
• Campus Fulbrighters, noting the university is among the 80 “top producing” institutions with the highest number of Fulbright grants in 2013, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• The Multicultural Office, which assisted in UW-L receiving the 2013 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• International efforts, including a No. 30 rank for students studying abroad and the university’s standing of the fourth largest international student population among Wisconsin colleges.
• Alum Jason Church, who was named the recipient of the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Inspiration Award.
• Athletics staff, for recently earning bids to host the 2017 NCAA III Wrestling Championships and the 2018 NCAA III Women's and Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships. UW-L will also host the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association III championships in 2015.
UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow[/caption]
Chancellor Joe Gow discussed challenges and opportunities for the university in his semi-annual All-University address before faculty and staff in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition, Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Gow said with a looming state budget surplus, he would like to see discussion of putting more tax dollars back into the UW System to recover costs taken out due to using one-time reserve funds. With money dropped from the original budget proposal along with a tuition freeze, he said the System needs to “get back” around $121.4 million to maintain base-level funding in the next biennium.
Gow anticipates tuition will continue to be a major point of discussion. “What gets lost is that tuition tends to go up when states cut higher education dollars,” he explained. “We really need to get some realistic dialogue going on about that.”
Compensation needs to be addressed, he said. Despite 1 percent increases in each year of this biennium, the average faculty member is 18 percent behind peers. “Talented people can go elsewhere, so we have to be careful not to lag behind anymore,” he said.
On the capital budget front, UW-L is faring better. Funding for the new Cowley Hall and student center is on track and project planning is underway.
Gow said a positive for the UW System is the recent announcement of naming current UW Colleges and UW Extension Chancellor Ray Cross president of the System. “Without a doubt, Ray is the best choice,” said Gow. “We need somebody who knows the legislature and Ray does.”
Despite the challenges, Gow offered the advice he received from an eager recent graduate as he crossed the stage during commencement: “Rock on.”
Gow also recognized:
• History Professor Victor Macías-González, who was named the 2013 Wisconsin Professor of the Year. “When you see Victor tell him how very, very proud we are of him,” he said.
• The Biology Department, which received the 2013 UW System Regents Teaching Excellence Award, which goes to one UW System program for commitment to teaching and learning.
• Roger Haro, who will receive the UW Board of Regent Diversity Award at its upcoming meeting in February. “That is very much deserved,” said Gow, noting Haro’s passion about working with first-generation students.
• Campus Fulbrighters, noting the university is among the 80 “top producing” institutions with the highest number of Fulbright grants in 2013, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• The Multicultural Office, which assisted in UW-L receiving the 2013 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• International efforts, including a No. 30 rank for students studying abroad and the university’s standing of the fourth largest international student population among Wisconsin colleges.
• Alum Jason Church, who was named the recipient of the 2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Inspiration Award.
• Athletics staff, for recently earning bids to host the 2017 NCAA III Wrestling Championships and the 2018 NCAA III Women's and Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championships. UW-L will also host the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association III championships in 2015.