chancellor's report
2000-2005 Highlights
The scope of accomplishments noted in this report—given the budget cuts, compensation decreases and tuition increases we are experiencing—is astonishing, and it is a tribute to the oneness, vigor and dedication of our students, faculty, academic and classified staff members. By focusing our resources on identified priorities, we have been able to accomplish many remarkable feats during the past five years; a few examples are listed below.
We have larger enrollments and FTE, and we have increased the number of students of color, degrees conferred and the retention rates for our first-year students:
- Headcount enrollment (including off-campus and on-campus enrollment) increased by 6.2 percent (726) to more than 12,400 students;
- FTE increased by 9.4 percent (873);
- Enrollment of students of color increased by 240, up 58 percent;
- Degrees conferred increased from 1,712 to 1,856, up 8.4 percent;
- Retention rates for first-year students improved from 70.8 to 76.8 percent.
We have secured more grants and more private dollars than ever before:
- Grants increased from $3.7 to $11.7 million, up 216 percent;
- Foundation gifts and pledges increased from $1.7 to $4.9 million.
We have raised the level of academic preparedness of our first-year students:
- 3.4 percent more are from the top 10 percent of their high school class;
- 11.1 percent more are from the top 25 percent of their high school class;
- Academic Excellence and National Merit scholars increased from 44 to 92, up 109 percent.
We have expanded support programs for student, faculty and staff development:
- New Student Compact provides $1 million annually through differential tuition to enhance and integrate student academic support services;
- Faculty Compact launched the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program;
- New leadership development programs for faculty and academic and classified staff members have been implemented.
We have added new academic majors, graduate certificate programs and baccalaureate degree completion programs:
- New undergraduate majors in theatre arts and environmental studies;
- 11 new graduate certificate programs;
- New collaborative master’s degree in social work with UW-Green Bay;
- An accelerated bachelor’s degree program for non-nursing graduates as well as an MBA foundations online program;
- The state’s only “2 plus 2” aeronautics bachelor’s degree program.
We have enhanced our facilities by completing approximately $75 million worth of capital building projects:
- $17-million Halsey Science Center renovation;
- $19.9-million Reeve Memorial Union renovation and addition;
- $13-million renovation of Taylor Hall;
- First two phases of the $5.7-million transfor mation of the Oshkosh Sports Complex;
- Purchase and renovation of the Newman Center and Credit Union buildings by UWO Foundation;
- $925,000 new facility for the athletic training major;
- Campus beautification project—landscaping, lighting and signage;
- $850,000 improvements to 13 classrooms.
We have another $100 million worth of capital projects on the near horizon:
- $1.2 million for preliminary planning and design of new $48-million academic building;
- New $21-million Student Health and Wellness center scheduled to be completed in fall 2007;
- New $7.7-million, 400-stall parking ramp to be competed in fall 2007.
We have won national recognition for our commitment to “green” principles by decreasing negative environmental impacts through conservation of water and energy, reducing pollution and recycling:
- Reduced water consumption by 24.5 million gallons per year, a savings of $130,986;
- Reduced energy consumption by 563,017 kilowatt-hours, a savings of $27,600 per year;
- Reduced emissions of coal/natural gas boilers by constructing a $2.8-million heat plant stack;
- Renovation rather than demolition of existing buildings to minimize contributions to landfills;
- Reuse of light poles resulting in more energy efficiency and less light pollution, a $300,000 savings;
- Recipient of 2003 EPA Leadership Award—one of only 11 ever presented to a university by the EPA.
These and many other examples of our accomplishments are detailed in the full Annual Report found online at www.uwosh.edu/strategicplan/