The University of Wisconsin is one of the world's greatest research institutions. Researchers at the UW have been pioneers in furthering the understanding of diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, such work has given Wisconsin a very strong base in academic-based research, creating thousands of private sector jobs and assuring the state a place in the high-tech, knowledge-based economy that has emerged in the 21st century.
A report released last week by the Wisconsin Technology Council, however, states that Wisconsin's edge in research is in peril. The report says, \There are forces at work that could quickly erode Wisconsin's academic advantage-and threaten the state's ability to produce high-wage private sector jobs."" This is a trend that must be stopped.
According to the report, academic research and development directly accounted for 31,788 jobs in Wisconsin in 2003-more jobs than those in building construction, real estate or all of Columbia County-in addition to indirectly creating thousands more. Yet the state has repeatedly slashed its budget for supporting academic research. The WTC report says that per capita spending on higher education in Wisconsin has declined faster than all but one of the other states represented in the Big Ten. Since 1978, per capita spending on higher education has decreased 47.8 percent, faster than all but 10 states.
State funding for academic research is an excellent investment. A study cited in the WTC report says that for every dollar faculty at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University receive in funding for research, $1.70 is spent in the state-better than a three-to-two return. Here in Wisconsin, a study found that the UW System contributes $9.5 billion to the state economy while receiving only $1 billion dollars in state taxpayer money. According to David Ward, president of NorthStar Economics, ""That ... rate of return is superior to just about any other kind of investment today.""
Furthermore, under the Bayh-Dole Act passed by The U.S. Congress in 1980, academic institutions may patent discoveries they make with federally funded research. They may then sell these patents for commercial and industrial development, with small businesses receiving preferences for production and development. This means that, in addition to the direct benefits of academic research, it creates a better environment for small businesses to invest in the state. In 2003, the UW ranked sixth among American universities, with 84 patents.
Yet despite all the evidence that points to the importance of the investment in higher education and research, the state continues to cut funding for the University System. It is becoming increasingly hard for the UW to retain its top researchers and professors, and as a result, Wisconsin is in danger of losing its position as one of the best climates for scientific research in the nation. Already, Wisconsin lags behind the national average in industrial research. To see the state fall behind in academic research as well would be terrible for the state's long-term economic well-being, which the WTC report cites as largely tied to research efforts.
The state can take steps to encourage academic research. Louis Tornatsky of the Batelle Memorial Institute laid out a few of these measures in the WTC report. They include giving potential tax incentives to encourage partnerships between industry and the university, keeping research facilities competitive by funding improvements and emphasizing the importance of research universities in public appearances and rhetoric.
So far, the governor and the legislature have only pursued the third option. They repeatedly pay lip service to the importance of the UW System even as they cut funding. This is a cycle that has to stop. The WTC report put in concrete terms just how important UW is to the state of Wisconsin. We can only hope that the powers that be in the state capitol acknowledge that.
