Budget Feedback Received via Email ()
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If questions were asked that could not be answered by the budget office, the email was forwarded to Cathy Riedl-Farrey and Rob Cramer for their input prior to responding to the sender.
Student & Alumni Responses/Questions:
12/15/14: Hello. On the issue of the budget,I think the ITS department has been given too free of a reign. I hear many complaints from professors about ITS's failure to respond in a prompt manner to maintenance requests especially in Otts. For my part it is very disgruntling to see ITS take up the entire first floor of Karrmann, a move that effectively wiped out a great study space, and which tothis day I still here negative comments about from manystudents. The cost of this new space must have been several hundred thousand, and it is still unclear to me what was wrong with their old space. The Bears den received all new PC's this summer, and yet I saw nothing wrong with the systems that were already in place, what was the need for new chairs, and for the elimination of two rows of computer tables? It would seem to me that the ITS department has gone wildly out of control in spending, not even addressing some of the major ITS issues on campus (old worn out printers and broken computers). Thank you for your time.
12/16/14: You should have the open forums in February when the students are actually here.
1/24/15: I have a possible solution to help with UWP budget shortfalls. I believe UWP could grow its enrollment at a lower cost by making it easier to live off-campus. It costs money for the university to build and maintain new housing. So if UWP made it easier to live off campus, then the dorm housing would have much less growing pains. Instead, these growing pains would spread among the landlords of Platteville.
I do have a couple of possible options for doing this. First, you could make more exceptions to who lives off campus. You could let the academically gifted, or overflow students live off campus. You could also hire a lawyer to help students not get screwed over by their leases. You could also let freshman or sophomores move off campus by paying a substantial fee.
1/25/15: As amechanicalengineering student and dining services employeeat University of Wisconsin - Platteville for the last 5 years, it is safe to say I've seen quite a few changes on campus during my stay. Here are some of my thoughts:
First off, to me it seems there is a large gap between the budgets for what we as a universityNEEDand WANT. For example, what function does renovating the computer labs in Ottensman Hallserve besides making them look more appealing to the common campus tourist? The reality is that most of my engineering courses end up utilizing labequipment older than I am in rooms that probably haven't been updatedsince their inception. UW-Platteville's engineering programs (the campuses most known and popular majors mind you)pride themselves on being more hands-on than other comparative programs elsewhere, and I have strong feelings that some of this is being overlooked. The PACCE program funds the senior design course, which is probably the single most important course to apply our knowledge in a hands-on manner with community partners. Making cuts into such a program seems as though we are trying to remove some ofthe core values for what our engineering programs areknown for.There has been a lot of money spent in renovationthat does not benefit my education in the slightest; one could evenargue it's actually hurting my education from the opportunity cost of where that money could have been spent (that of which I have multiple examples of).I'm all for improving the look and appeal of study areas when it is affordable to do so, but it is not a NEED.It is a WANT and could easily havebeen cut. There are many places on campus where this same logic applies.
Secondly, from a university student employee standpoint how much emphasis is put on hiring students that are eligible for work-study? From my understanding, hiring students who are eligible for work-study is cheaper for the university as the federal government covers a certain amount of their wages. Depending on the job requirements, cost saving could be made by hiring only those who are eligible for this like they do at the Karrmann library. On a similar note, I believe we have one of thelargest ITS departments out of any of the UW campuses, and far from the most efficient. I'm still uncertain as to how thatmakes sense considering we are far from the largest or most intricate UW campus; worth looking into regardless.
1/25/15: I am a junior at UW-Platteville and have lived in the area my whole life. I feel Platteville have wasted a lot of money throughout the years.
First, ITS, they have a whole new office space they didn't need. They are still not keeping maintenance problems around campus. With the new computers in the Bears Den in the start of the school not all the computers had printers installed. So if I needed to print something it was a guessing game. Also with moving ITS, it meant nobody in the Bears den all the time so when you have printer problems you have to wait at least half an hour for someone to come over to fix after you call them.
Secondly, the school mascot and naming of the new mascot seemed to waste money. Pioneer Pete custom had to cost a lot we didn't need a mascot what is wrong with keeping the mascot/tradition in mining that is what Platteville was known for before University of Wisconsin-Platteville was here. Another thing Pioneer Pete got a golf cart this year. How much did that cost the school? Why does he need it? Is he too lazy to walk?
Thirdly, with the tornado this past summer I thought we wasted money and showed off more about the campus being hit then worrying about the students. The three new resident halls had student stuff in the rooms they lived in the past semester which cost the students $175 to keep their stuff there. The students that had things wreck during the storm would have to go out and buy all new things then show the university the receipt from the purchase to be refunded. As a college student we don't have a lot of money seating around and usually live pay check to pay check. Instead of interviewing with the new channels or tv why didn't you step up and help the students out.
Platteville waste so much money that we don't need instead of thinking about it. Now you want to get rid of a GREAT PROGRAM that benefits the students. The PACCE Projects that I have participated in and watched my classmates do have further our education without the projects we wouldn't have learn what we know today. PACCE is an Amazon department and without them the students will not be able to further our education and that is why we are here. I am not here to pay for Pioneer Pete's golf cart. The university needs to listen to the students.
1/25/15: As a junior at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Platteville,I would like to show my concern of eliminating print-based courses. I believe they are a great asset to the students. There are students who enroll at UWP to strictly take and complete courses through print-based. Since there are many classes that are not offered every semester, print-based courses are there to fall back on if a class needs to be taken a semester when the class is not offered. Speaking from experience, I have had to take print based courses because of classes that either could not fit into my schedule but needed to be completed during the current semester or because of classes that were not offered a semester when I needed the class to be offered. If print-based programs are completelyeliminated, I think it will be vital for the University to offer all classes each semester. (At least one session of each class) During junior and senior years, many students take print based classes in order to graduate on time during a pinch. I really do believe print-based courses are beneficial for the students. My experience with print-based programs has been a great success and asset to my education. I would like to see print-based programs stay within the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
1/27/15: I think that the budget cuts to Residence Life should be removed.
I believe that living on campus is a large portion of why students choose to stay at this university.
The connections I made while attending residence life sponsored programs and activities has built some long lasting friendships. I think that residence life has a direct influence on student retention and taking money away from the department makes it more difficult for the Residence Life staff to do their job of getting students involved on campus and building relationships between students and between staff and students that help students through their college carriers.
1/30/15: I have never really paid much attention to politics, so when one of my friends posted an image on facebook of upset Wisconsin students and a quote saying “Wisconsin governor cuts $300 million from public universities, proposes $220 million for private sports stadium” I thought, “typical, but good thing I’m gone and don’t have to worry about that”. Then today my opinion on the matter changed when I saw that the program in which I graduated with a degree in last May, Reclamation, Environment, and Conservation (REC) is under scrutiny and has the possibility of getting cut because it is a small program with under 100 students. I am pretty sure last year we had a total of only 40 students! It upsets me that such a great program is threatened because of this cut from the universities.
Three years ago, as an undecided student with an interest in environmental science at UW-La Crosse(lacking an environmental major), I looked for a new program at a new school. Everyone goes to UW-Stevens Point for that stuff don’t they? I looked into it but also discovered the REC program at UW-Platteville. A few emails from the current advisor or the program at the time (Tom Hunt) and I was sold, it sounded way better than the other options I was considering. “Reclamation” I thought, like reclaiming the land from human destruction and selfishness. I had already discovered that it is pointless to be an “Environmentalist” (which everyone now sees as hippies) because it is impossible to stop companies from mining coal and oil and everything else the earth has to offer. So I settled on making sure it was at least done right and responsibly. I currently work for a company that is contracted by both Coal Mines and Oil and Gas Companies, thanks to the REC degree, I am actually doing something. Not only did I get a job out of college with the REC degree, but I am doing something good with it. There is a need for reclamation all over the US. It is easier to get an entry level job in the western states (as I did) because there is a larger need for the work. That’s not to say it’s not important in Wisconsin, not at all. The only reason I left the state is because the current job selection requires more experience for the positions available, but with the booming frac sand industry and more mines opening up in Wisconsin, I hope to move back in the near future. It’s crazy the connections you find…the oil companies in the west are using the Wisconsin frac sand (Wisconsin has the largest frac sand deposit in the US) to force down their bore holes to release the oil and gas. After the land is exploited someone needs to fix it, the right way and someone needs to make sure the mines in Wisconsin are in compliance and that when they are no longer profitable to the state, that they are reclaimed properly.
I apologize if I went off topic anywhere, but I don’t know what to say. I am shocked, really. I thought this program was amazing, and with our new advisor getting even better. I was sad I graduated before I had more classes with him. It is very broad course and covers a lot of different subjects, but that’s what makes it worth so much. You get a lot out of it and there is a need for it in the Wisconsin and the world.
1/30/15: The Entrepreneurship Program here on campus is just budding and developing!Ithas brought memuch insight and hands-on experiencein the world of business I would've not gotten otherwise. I know the budget is tight, but I think this program is vital to our college. Innovation and businesses run America, and we should provide such opportunities to our students!
One of the first thing I recall as I came here to Platteville was professors and staff telling to grasp opportunities and step outside the classroom to participate in the world. I think the entrepreneurship program is allowing me to do that.
1/30/15: It confuses me that the Chancellor of this university makes 150% of the salary of the Governor. If he were truly worried about fiscal matters he wouldn't have wasted so much money on the football team and other non-essential programs at the university. This university needs to invest in its ability to attract STEM students. I say that if he can't balance the school budget, then he should offer up a portion of his annual pay (at least 10%). That may only be a drop in the bucket, but it's a start.
1/30/15: While I understand the University needs to make accommodations for the budget cuts, completely eliminating the Entrepreneurship program, and the PACCE office would be detrimental to the University and to the Community. Through Entrepreneurship classes, we have connected with different community partners and helped them with Marketing, and general business decisions. This program, as well as the PACCE office have seeded and sparked future and current business owners in the surrounding economy. Without the potential of small business in Platteville and towns alike, you would have a ghost town. All of this stems back to the education provided by the University through programs and funding. Without these programs for students there's no hope for our future. Please re-take a look at what you are doing for students, and how beneficial it is to the future of Platteville community partners and members.
I sincerely feel that as students, we shouldn't have to pay the same amount to get a mediocre education.Taking way these programs would create just that- a mediocre education. I propose we make the PACCE office a self-funded entity where community partners can go for a minimal amount to get consulting services by students for small businesses. You can join the Entrepreneurship department with the School of Business, and allow for funding that way. Thus, not eliminating positions that people currently have but merely transferring them to a different department.
1/30/15: I have a few more ideas to add to the list. I heard recently that the Entrepreneurship program is in danger, which is bad because I have a few ideas where that program can be used to drastically help the school both now and in the future.
First, both the Entrepreneurship program and the school of Engineering can work even moreclosely with WiSys. Wisys is a UW system affiliate that helps patent and license student and faculty ideas. Every time WiSys licenses an idea, a significant portion of the license revenue goes to the inventor's school. So if classes in Platteville actually work with WiSys, not only will morestudentsget hands-on experience, but the school may receive millions of dollars.
My second idea is for students in classes to actually workfor the school in a way that raises revenue, decreases expenses, and gives those students hands-on experience. For example, Entrepreneurship students canmake businesses and programs that help supply revenue to UW-Platteville. Engineering students can work together to completefreelance engineering jobs on Elance.com (while giving a significant portion of earnings to UWP). AndArt students can pretty up the campus, making it more attractive for newer students. These are only a few examples of how the students can help this campus.We just need to be directed and empowered to help this campus thrive.
2/2/15: I am greatly concerned with the proposed budget plans and particularly the absorptionof thefoundation into the budget and reduction of printing Alumni Today from three times to one time per year.Alumni Today costs the university a mere $18,364. This comes at a time where the university is absorbing the UW Platteville Foundation back into the university at a cost of $362,000 per year. Why, at a time of budget reductions and shortfalls would you take over a successful program that will cost you $362,000 per year. As I understand the foundation gifts will 100% go towards their intended purpose where currently there is a small administrative expense. Some donors may not like this but many organizations have some small operating expenses that have to come from the donations.What donors will really be upset about is the fact the since the university is paying for staff,paper, and paperclips for the foundation at a cost of $362,000they will cut valuable programs and reduce resources.Look at the facts and numbers to balance the budget. There is also a proposed faculty raise of 1-2% for the next five years at a cost of several million dollars. I understand that UW Platteville is not as competitive salary wise compared to other universities but reducing and cutting programs only to give the current staff a small raise will not help the issue. After reviewing the comment section of the budget reduction planning webpage I was shocked at the number of concerned faculty and students voicing their opinions, many of whichhave a negativeview of proposed reductions.As a recent graduate of Platteville I see this as a major issue on campus and could really affect the long term stability,faculty recruitment, and opinion of the university.