New Bill Would Provide Funds for Communities Effected by UW Closures

Friday, January 12th, 2024 -- 10:00 AM

(Corrinne Hess, Wisconsin Public Radio) The closures of three Universities of Wisconsin branch campuses have left empty buildings and hundreds of acres of unused land in Richland, Washington and Fond du Lac counties.

According to Corrinne Hess with Wisconsin Public Radio, a proposed GOP bill could give those communities $2 million to redevelop the former two-year campus sites. In-person classes will end at UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and UW-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac in June.

UW-Platteville at Richland has been without students since May 2023. Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, told members of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities on Wednesday that the $2 million for each community could be used at the discretion of the counties.

But he anticipates local governments will use the funds for economic development opportunities or housing. The bill was originally created for Richland, but eventually expanded to include Fond du Lac and Washington counties.

The total amount allocated in the bill is $12 million, with the extra funds reserved for future closures. "We would not be surprised at all if other two-year campuses face this decision down the road," Marklein said. After June, there will be 10 branch campuses remaining in the UW System.

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