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UW System leaders highlight $265 million state investment, approve several new degrees and routine resolutions
Summary
At the Board of Regents meeting in Whitewater, President Rothman outlined the 2023–28 strategic priorities and a two‑year $265 million state operating increase; the board approved multiple new degree programs, reapproved post‑tenure revisions and adopted routine resolutions and contract extensions.
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Dec. 1 heard a systemwide strategic update from President Jay Rothman and approved a slate of program and operational resolutions.
Rothman told the board the UW System has secured a historic $265,000,000 increase in operating funds over the next two years and said more than $166,000,000 of that new funding is earmarked for employee compensation, including $54,000,000 for market compensation adjustments in high‑demand fields and $7,000,000 for 24/7 virtual mental‑health services. He framed the funding as a reversal of prior underinvestment and tied it to four priorities under the system’s 2023–28 strategic plan: expanding access, leading in innovation (including artificial intelligence), enhancing collaboration and improving operational efficiency.
The board then received routine committee reports and took actions on items reported out by committees. The Education Committee reported approval of six new academic programs and other academic‑policy items. Among the programs approved were a master of science in applied and computational mathematics at UW–Madison, a doctorate in social work at UW–Milwaukee (to be offered fully online), a bachelor of science in sport business at UW–Stevens Point, and new bachelor programs at UW–Superior and UW–Whitewater (the latter a bachelor of science in artificial intelligence). The committee also reapproved revisions to UW–Stout’s post‑tenure review procedures and heard an overview of UW–Madison’s plan to form a College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence supported by existing College of Letters & Science funds and anticipated philanthropic contributions.
Regent Prince moved adoption of resolutions C1–C8 and resolution D on the consent calendar; the chair called for the voice vote and the motions carried.
The Business and Finance Committee reported increased unrestricted program revenue balances (+$59.5 million) and a revised FY26 financial forecast incorporating the state pay plan and updated enrollment counts. That committee deferred consideration of a proposed IT project to support general education credit transfer pending readiness work by UW administration. It also approved a one‑year extension and amendment to Sodexo’s dining services agreement at UW–Eau Claire that the committee said will reduce cost‑per‑boarder and achieve an estimated $30,000 in savings.
The Capital Planning and Budget Committee approved routine agency projects and granted authority to construct a nearly $3.0 million roof replacement at the Dreyfus University Center at UW–Stevens Point; a one‑time segregated fee increase of $34.40 will be applied from FY27 through FY47 to fund the project.
In closing open session business, the board adopted a formal resolution of appreciation to UW–Whitewater for hosting the meeting and then recessed before moving into closed session to consider personnel and compensation matters.
Votes at a glance: the adoption of resolutions C1–C8 and resolution D (education committee consent items) passed by voice vote; the board also approved the Sodexo contract extension and the capital project authority for the Dreyfus roof replacement. Where votes were recorded as voice votes, detailed tallies were not provided in the public transcript.
