MADISON – Today, the University of Wisconsin System announced that due to a massive deficit at UW-Oshkosh, they will employ numerous measures to cut back on costs. These measures including periodic furloughs for the 23-24 academic year, incoming layoffs, potential changes to class size and more. Rep. Jodi Emerson (D- Eau Claire) released the following statement in response:
“It’s disappointing, but not surprising to see the University have to take such drastic action. The UW-System has been severely underfunded by Republicans for over a decade, and this is the predictable result of their negligence.”
“As ranking member of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, I will continue to fight for the education of our students and rights of our faculty. However, if this announcement is not a wakeup call for the majority party, then at the very least I hope they recognize that this is only the beginning result of their inactions.”
“Let us not make a mistake of what the result will be if Republicans continue to underfund our higher education system. There will be more layoffs, students will continue to choose to go out-of-state and we will lose competitive and talented faculty. Wisconsin is at risk of losing any remaining status in higher education, and we must begin to address this by increasing funding for our UW-System.”
