HomeMy WebLinkAbout28. 15-119
MARCH 10, 2015 15-119 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______ WITHDRAWN _______)
AS AMENDED
PURPOSE: SUPPORT INCREASED FLEXIBILITIES FOR UW SYSTEM
SCHOOLS AND OPPOSE BUDGET CUTS TO UW SYSTEM
INITIATED BY: MAYOR BURK TOWER, COUNCIL MEMBERS CUMMINGS &
HERMAN (with revisions recommended by Mayor Tower)
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh is a resource for Oshkosh and the surrounding region,
improving our quality of life through education, fine and performing arts, athletics
events, rich cultural events, civic engagement and outreach; and
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh is a community catalyst taking a leadership role in
critical projects such as the downtown Oshkosh revitalization, the renovation of the Best
Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center, and the launch of a
collaborative regional economic development organization, the Greater Oshkosh
Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC); and
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh is a leader in the development of renewable energy
sources that drive regional sustainability initiatives while having direct impact on quality
of life as evidenced by a 2011 project to install a 1.4 megawatt biodigester at Rosendale
Dairy in Pickett, WI; and
WHEREAS, a 2009 economic impact study noted UW Oshkosh exceeds one-
half-billion dollars per year to the Wisconsin economy, while supporting 9,000
Wisconsin jobs and generating $37.5 million in state tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh is a large employer in Winnebago County, with 670
faculty and instructional staff plus nearly 810 professional and support staff as well as
an additional 178 limited term employees living in and supporting communities in
Winnebago County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, UW Oshkosh is a key driver of workforce development with over 90
percent of graduates remaining in our state after graduation and 36 percent of out-of-
state students remaining in Wisconsin to live, work and contribute to the economy; and
MARCH 10, 2015 15-119 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
WHEREAS, Over 130 businesses and organizations hosted 427 co-op or intern
students from the UW Oshkosh College of Business alone in the 2013-14 year, with
many of these interns becoming valuable contributors to our economy as highly-skilled,
high-impact employees with regional companies; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s proposed biennial budget would reduce funding for
the University of Wisconsin System with a possible reduction for UW Oshkosh of $7.5
million which would have an impact on UW Oshkosh’s ability to be nimble and
responsive to the needs of the region.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the City of Oshkosh hereby supports the basic principles proposed by
Governor Walker and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to increase
institutional flexibility for the UW System schools, opposes proposed budget cuts to
the UW System and requests the legislature fund the University of Wisconsin System as
recommended by the Board of Regents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh
that the City of Oshkosh hereby encourages the Legislature to phase in any proposed
cuts to the UW System to the extent that such budget cuts may be necessary to give
the UW campuses the necessary time to implement meaningful changes that will not
damage the University’s ability to serve its students and the surrounding community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate city staff is hereby authorized
and directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the City of Oshkosh’s locally elected
legislators.
BOLD & ITALICS INDICATES AMENDMENTS
Adopted 3/5/2015
Response to Governor's
2015-17 Biennial
; Budget Proposal
' BOARD OF REGENTS �
Resolution I.6.B.
WIIEREAS tl�e Governor's biennial budget proposal calls for a substantial base cut to
GPR fimding; and
' WHEIZEAS previous budget reductions in base fitndit�g,in conjunctioi�with the current
proposal and the cantinuation of 1 tuition fi�eeze limit the ability of the System to
: effectiveiy manage our instihitions; and
WHEREAS the UW System has long souglrt additional flexibitities to distinguish the
System from other state agencies a��d to provide a greater ability to manage business
enterprises in a more efficient and effective manner;
THEREFORE,BE IT R�SOLVED,that tlie University of Wisconsin System Board of
Regents hereby reqi�ests#hat tl�e Wisconsin State Legislature substantially reduce the
base fimding cuts recommended in the Governor's budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Board of Regents hereby requests that the
Wisconsin State Legislature grant the flexibilities sought by the System either through an
agreed-upon public authority or appropriate amendments to state statutes,including a
dedicated funding stream for state-supported UW operations and appropriate tecluiical
changes to the proposed budget to allow the System to i�iore effectively and efficiently
impleinent these flexibilities,n�anage operations,and serve the students and taxpayers of
Wisconsin.
Marcli 5,2015 Agenda Item I.d.