UW-O faculty senate writes to Gov. Doyle
The following letter to the Governor and regional legislators regarding the consequences of the budget cuts was approved by the Faculty Senate on April 5, 2005 and personally signed by 23 Senators. Copies were also sent to all Regents, UW System President Riley, Chancellor Wells and area newspapers.
Governor Jim Doyle
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Doyle,
We are writing this open letter to our Governor and local legislators to call attention to the extensive budget cuts that have resulted in a continued erosion of the quality of education in the University of Wisconsin System. The welcome additions to some areas of our budget for the next biennium were more than offset by significant reductions in other areas, leading to another major budget cut on our campus next year. These continuing drastic reductions in the state contribution to public higher education have caused a decrease in the number of classes or class sections being offered - especially junior and senior level classes, and greatly increased the numbers of students in the remaining courses.
The increasing numbers of students taught by each of our decreasing number of faculty has caused a shift to more part-time instructors, fewer essay examinations, fewer writing assignments, and less individual teacher-student interaction. We have been forced to decrease the student support services that are most important for less well-prepared students, and to delay or ignore preventative maintenance of our physical facilities and replacement of obsolete laboratory and computer equipment. Further, some major and minor programs have been eliminated, and forced internal reallocations have decreased the quality of those programs that remain.
On those rare occasions when we can try to recruit new faculty to replace those who have resigned or retired, we find it difficult to attract qualified people. The salaries we can offer are less competitive than they once were, our past salary increases have been so poor that potential candidates do not see an attractive future as part of our faculty, and few people want to start their teaching careers in a state with such a poor record of support for public higher education. A competitive pay plan for the coming biennium is essential if we are to attract and retain competent faculty.
We are aware that the marked increases in tuition have offset our budget cuts to a small degree, but this has increased the debt burdens our graduates incur to pay these higher tuitions. We also note that higher tuition in conjunction with the declines in educational quality at UW System campuses means that we are charging our students more, but giving them less.
We, the undersigned Faculty Senators, urge you to do whatever is necessary to restore adequate levels of public support for higher education in Wisconsin. If, for any reason, you are unable to accomplish this essential step, we ask that future comments by public officials contain honest acknowledgement of our budget situation. Despite the best efforts of our faculty, the extensive budget cuts we now face will continue to result in a declining quality of education in the UW System.
Sincerely,
Members of the UW Oshkosh Faculty Senate
Governor Jim Doyle
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Doyle,
We are writing this open letter to our Governor and local legislators to call attention to the extensive budget cuts that have resulted in a continued erosion of the quality of education in the University of Wisconsin System. The welcome additions to some areas of our budget for the next biennium were more than offset by significant reductions in other areas, leading to another major budget cut on our campus next year. These continuing drastic reductions in the state contribution to public higher education have caused a decrease in the number of classes or class sections being offered - especially junior and senior level classes, and greatly increased the numbers of students in the remaining courses.
The increasing numbers of students taught by each of our decreasing number of faculty has caused a shift to more part-time instructors, fewer essay examinations, fewer writing assignments, and less individual teacher-student interaction. We have been forced to decrease the student support services that are most important for less well-prepared students, and to delay or ignore preventative maintenance of our physical facilities and replacement of obsolete laboratory and computer equipment. Further, some major and minor programs have been eliminated, and forced internal reallocations have decreased the quality of those programs that remain.
On those rare occasions when we can try to recruit new faculty to replace those who have resigned or retired, we find it difficult to attract qualified people. The salaries we can offer are less competitive than they once were, our past salary increases have been so poor that potential candidates do not see an attractive future as part of our faculty, and few people want to start their teaching careers in a state with such a poor record of support for public higher education. A competitive pay plan for the coming biennium is essential if we are to attract and retain competent faculty.
We are aware that the marked increases in tuition have offset our budget cuts to a small degree, but this has increased the debt burdens our graduates incur to pay these higher tuitions. We also note that higher tuition in conjunction with the declines in educational quality at UW System campuses means that we are charging our students more, but giving them less.
We, the undersigned Faculty Senators, urge you to do whatever is necessary to restore adequate levels of public support for higher education in Wisconsin. If, for any reason, you are unable to accomplish this essential step, we ask that future comments by public officials contain honest acknowledgement of our budget situation. Despite the best efforts of our faculty, the extensive budget cuts we now face will continue to result in a declining quality of education in the UW System.
Sincerely,
Members of the UW Oshkosh Faculty Senate
4 Comments:
Just think of the possible impact a coalition of the UW Oshkosh Faculty Senate, the majority of UWO faculty, the Student Government Body at UW Oshkosh, the student body at UW Oshkosh, and the Chancellor could have on issues relating to tuition and student life! With all of the "talk" of "commitment" by several of the new councilors, there should be no problem getting the common council on board as well.
While some of these groups may be taking action, let us be honest about its impact:
1. A letter from the Faculty Senate "urging" our elected officials to support higher ed won't do much. This may just be a starting point, but I have my doubts on any real action in the future.
2. Tuition for students will have increased by around 55% or so after 4 years of Gov Doyle. Yet, UWO student Government has barely raised an eyebrow. They have recently released a petition-type form that calls for a limit to future increases to 5%. Most of us recognize that if you ask for 5%, your likely to get over 10%. Nothing is mentioned of the tuition freeze that has been floating around the capital and other UW schools. In fact, UW and UWM are calling for a roll-back to "pre-Doyle" levels, as students don't seem to feel that the irresponsibilities of our elected officials should fall overwhelmingly on the shoulders of students.
3. Students, and Oshkosh, have provided Representative Gregg Underheim the majority of the vote for over 15 years. As far as I know, Underheim has supported and voted in favor of every single tuition increase. Now I'm not encouraging citizens to vote on a single issue such as this, but if you have supported this man, the least you can do is expect his support in return.
4. Unite your causes. A few random letters from random groups associated with the University will continue to have little (and probably) no effect. Consider the "union" of students, former students, faculty, university employees, and administration, as well as UW system supporters! This could create change.
Thumbs up to a start though, and I hope to see a great deal more of action if any real change is wanted.
Justin Mitchell
The tuition increases and funding cuts are harmful to Wisconsin's future and it shortsighted to keep balancing the budget this way.
The choices are not great either. Governor Doyle balanced the budget on the backs of students so he could fully fund Medicaid, one of four Governors in the country to do so. Given the state budget constraints, the money from the University system would have to come from somewhere and the most likely place was from low income individuals and seniors. Tuition in Wisconsin is still below our neighboring states with UW-Madison the lowest in the Big Ten. Corrections is an obvious area, but those reforms can only effectively be done over a period of time. Shared revenue, K-12 are the other areas that are a significant portion of the budget. Those attacking Doyle need to indicate what part of the budget should be cut $250 million to restore funding. These decisions do not take place in a vaccum.
Financial aid may be an area we can increase to offset one of the issues hurting the students cause. Whether your family has $1 million or is unemployed, tuition is the same and taxpayers in Wisconsin subsidize the tuition of millionaires as well as those in need. While it is understood as a worthy investment, it is none the less a subsidy to the wealthy. I would prefer to see tuition subsidy based upon ability to pay.
The tuition increases and funding cuts are harmful to Wisconsin's future and it shortsighted to keep balancing the budget this way.
The choices are not great either. Governor Doyle balanced the budget on the backs of students so he could fully fund Medicaid, one of four Governors in the country to do so. Given the state budget constraints, the money from the University system would have to come from somewhere and the most likely place was from low income individuals and seniors. Tuition in Wisconsin is still below our neighboring states with UW-Madison the lowest in the Big Ten. Corrections is an obvious area, but those reforms can only effectively be done over a period of time. Shared revenue, K-12 are the other areas that are a significant portion of the budget. Those attacking Doyle need to indicate what part of the budget should be cut $250 million to restore funding. These decisions do not take place in a vaccum.
Financial aid may be an area we can increase to offset one of the issues hurting the students cause. Whether your family has $1 million or is unemployed, tuition is the same and taxpayers in Wisconsin subsidize the tuition of millionaires as well as those in need. While it is understood as a worthy investment, it is none the less a subsidy to the wealthy. I would prefer to see tuition subsidy based upon ability to pay.
Underheim: “I think the only thing you care about is the price of your tuition,” he said. “You’re very short-sighted. I think it’s shameful, to be perfectly frank with you.”
http://www.advancetitan.com/story.asp?issue=10708&story=1335
Post a Comment
<< Home