UW System President Jay Rothman announced Nov. 22 that he is directing UW-Platteville’s chancellor to end program offerings at its Richland Center campus, a two-year access campus joined with that institution in the UW Colleges restructuring. UW-Platteville Richland’s enrollment has fallen to 60 students, an unsustainable level following several years of declines. We appreciate the resilience of students and colleagues at UW-Platteville Richland as they move through this transition.

I want you to know that UW Oshkosh remains committed to the access missions and the continued operation of UWO Fox Cities and UWO Fond du Lac. We do this in collaboration with valued partners and public stewards in Fond du Lac, Outagamie and Winnebago counties. There are no plans or directions to alter course at UWO’s access campuses.

Like most UW System universities, and many others throughout the United States, we continue to confront student enrollment challenges. All three of UWO’s campuses have experienced declines, and we are responding.

As you know, we maintain a laser focus on improving student recruitment and retention. We have assembled a selfless, determined corps of Student Success Navigators. We have reinvigorated our marketing and messaging, emphasizing the life-changing experience and life-long value a UWO college education provides. Enrollment in our new, online offerings under the UWO+ banner shows strength. And we are working hard to explore new and creative ways that UWO access campuses can better serve their home communities and region. This ranges from deploying new program and credential offerings to hosting conversations that imagine access campuses as more vibrant centers for entrepreneurialism and startup activity. I am happy to report we already have partners helping to investigate these opportunities.

Excellent work continues. Innovative thinking is at the table. Enrollment pressures will not simply evaporate. And that is why it is encouraging to see your commitment, creativity and contributions keeping all three UWO campuses moving forward. Thank you.