University and trade college students all over Wisconsin have begun their classes. But because University of Wisconsin System branch campuses were shut down so quickly, many students don’t have a school to go back to.
Aside from four-year schools like UW-Madison, UW System branch sites mostly serve in-state students in rural or suburban areas who want to get an associate’s degree. It only takes two years to finish these schools, which teach students a wide range of liberal arts, fine arts, and science subjects.
This year, however, UW-Platteville Richland, UW-Milwaukee at Washington County, UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac, and UW-Green Bay Marinette all shut down. In 2025, both UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha and UW-Oshkosh at Fox Cities will shut down. After the campuses close, some will switch to online learning as an option.
Why? Less and less people are enrolling, and branch sites are losing money. One study of UW-Oshkosh at Fox Cities said that by 2032, the school might have less than 100 students. Because of this, the UW System has started to shut down branch sites and get rid of associate degree programs that can’t make money.
Officials at the universities say that these closings won’t make it harder for students to go to college, but students seem to be singing a different tune.
Students and teachers at these branch schools say that the closings have left them in the dark. They have been forced to switch to more expensive degree programs, rush to finish programs before their school closes, or give up on their college dreams altogether.
It’s no secret that housing and schooling costs have gone up in the last few years. Branch campuses were a reliable and affordable choice for students who wanted to avoid the typical four-year bachelor’s degree path.
While technical colleges are still a choice for some students, associate degrees are the only way for many students to get an education because four-year colleges are too expensive or too far away from home. With this type of degree, which is designed to help with shrinking, it’s not always easy for students to switch to a different school or program.
It’s not as easy as switching to online classes (which don’t include classes that need work to be done in person) or moving to a different location. Some students also said it was hard to transfer credits from their branch school to another college, which made it cost more and take longer to finish their degrees.
It’s scary that there isn’t more openness about the UW System cuts. Because of the limited coverage, many students on UW System sites that are still open probably still don’t know how bad the cuts are.
Students at branch campuses don’t know what, if any, they can do while the schools are closed. People in charge of universities and the state should be aware of the chances they are stifling, especially for people who are looking for two-year studies.
But some officials didn’t know about important choices about downsizing that would affect their communities, even though these branch campuses are paid for by both the UW System and the counties that host them.
The governor of Outagamie County, Tom Nelson, was upset that the UW System wasn’t more open about this process. After it was suggested that UW-Oshkosh at Fox Cities close on April 30, county officials were not fully informed of these important choices because of a lack of communication.
The UW System needs to do more to help students whose branch campuses are closing. For example, they could offer financial aid and make it easier for students to move their credits to other schools.
It is clear that they need to give these students as many choices as possible to continue their education and a smooth transition when their branch campus is shut down next.
We understand that the UW System is having a tough time with money, especially since the state legislature is run by Republicans and has put limits on spending. It may be necessary to close some branch campuses in order to keep the system going in the long term.
But it’s important to remember that the UW System’s main job is to help its students, especially those who wouldn’t have many college options without it.
After these closures, it is very important for the UW System to make sure that the kids who were affected can still go to school.
People who don’t know what to do next should be given tools and a clear picture of what their choices are. Since the UW System messed up the school and money plans that these kids made, this is the least they can do.