University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin spoke at the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) Legislative Conference Tuesday, discussing Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal, in-state employment opportunities and mental health.
University funding
Rothman acknowledged that Wisconsin ranks 43rd out of 50 states in public funding for higher education. He pointed to Evers’ budget proposal, which aligns with the UW System Board of Regents’ request to bring funding to the national median.
“Forty-third out of 50 is not the Wisconsin I know,” Rothman said. “I don't think 43rd out of 50 is sustainable for us as a state if we want to be as economically vibrant and viable as we should be.”
If the budget request is approved, Rothman said, it would provide enough funding to reimagine branch campuses without closing any that are not already slated for closure. He also said he would not recommend a tuition increase for the next two years of the biennium as some cost-saving measures have already been taken, such as layoffs and reducing programs to maximize efficiency.
“It's incumbent on the state to make the investment in the Universities of Wisconsin that will allow our state to continue to have a constellation of 13 universities, something all of us can be proud of, and something that the rest of the nation looks at with envy,” he said.
Mnookin noted concerns about potential reductions in federal funding, including National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants that support research at UW-Madison.
“Are there ways that we need to be more efficient and do things better, and to look at what we haven't been doing well and try to make improvements?” Mnookin said. “Those are all very fair questions, but we don't if we take what's on the table and just toss it all out. I think that the people of Wisconsin and the people of our nation will be paying for that for a long time.”
Without additional funding from the state, UW-Madison would need to increase tuition to cover the potential annual $65 million loss if federal research funding cuts are implemented. Mnookin said this reduction of funding would impact the university’s research work on cancer, Alzheimer’s, natural resources and more.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told The Daily Cardinal on Feb. 12 that “it would be impossible for the state [of Wisconsin] to replace federal funding,” citing the need to maintain a balanced budget.
The Wisconsin Idea in action
Both speakers highlighted the Wisconsin Idea, which ensures that the benefits of the university system — graduates who contribute to Wisconsin’s economy and society — extend beyond campus borders to serve the entire state.
Rothman called Wisconsin’s public universities “a great talent magnet” and expressed pride in keeping that talent in Wisconsin. Nearly 90% of in-state UW graduates remain in Wisconsin five years after earning their degrees.
“The Wisconsin Idea is the notion that as the state's flagship, we have a responsibility and the opportunity to connect in meaningful ways to make people's lives better,” Mnookin added, speaking from UW-Madison’s perspective.
Rothman said the UW System serves over 300,000 people annually and pointed to initiatives like the Freshwater Collaborative and the Dairy Innovation Hub as examples of the Wisconsin Idea in action.
The importance of a four-year education
While acknowledging that a four-year degree is not the right path for everyone, Rothman emphasized the economic and personal benefits of higher education. He cited research from the Wisconsin Policy Forum showing that half of Wisconsin jobs paying $50,000 per year require a four-year degree, a figure that jumps to 90% for jobs paying $75,000 or more in the future.
“We want to make sure that people have that opportunity,” Rothman said. “Over the course of a career, if you compare that four-year degree versus a high school degree, the net present value is about a million dollars. That not only benefits the individual, but it benefits the economy and the region.”
Mnookin noted that higher education is also linked to job satisfaction, health benefits and overall well-being. Beyond financial and career benefits, she further stressed that a university education promotes adaptability.
“If life throws some pivots at you, and you need to retool, reimagine and rethink what you're going to do, you've already had some experience doing that — and I think that has a lot of value,” she said.
With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and technological advancements, Rothman noted the challenge of preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist.
“One of the benefits of a university education and the discipline that it develops is you teach critical thought and the ability to discern fact from fiction,” he said
What makes Wisconsin different?
Rothman said the affordability of UW System schools compared to other public universities in the Midwest gives Wisconsin an advantage.
“We are the most affordable public university system in the Midwest and beyond,” he said. “Yes, it's not inexpensive, but relatively speaking, we are an incredible value.”
Rothman credited generations of Wisconsinites for investing in higher education, technical colleges and K-12 systems, which have shaped the state’s economy and workforce.
“When you think about the teachers that influenced your lives, the nurses that have provided health care, the engineers that have done work to develop and build Wisconsin and the great research that occurs outside of the universities in the private sector — how we're all being touched by that, and I hope we remember that, because one of the things I think about often is, what would our state look like without the Universities of Wisconsin?” Rothman asked.
Mnookin highlighted UW-Madison’s top-ranked programs in education, engineering, agriculture, law and medicine. She also referenced a Forbes article ranking UW-Madison in their list of “Public Ivies.”
“A set of decisions made over time created one of the world's great universities right here in Wisconsin, and we should nurture and protect that legacy,” she said.
COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting impact on UW
During a brief discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on the universities, both leaders underscored concerns over increased mental health challenges among students.
Nearly 10% of students across the UW System sought out university counseling and mental health services last year, according to Rothman.
He attributed some of these challenges to social media and the polarization of society, noting that students often hesitate to engage in difficult discussions, which negatively impacts their conflict resolution and relationship building skills.
Mnookin said she has also seen a rise in mental health challenges but said that UW-Madison has significantly expanded its mental health professionals and student support services.
“We have seen greater isolation,” Mnookin added. “But we've also seen some really encouraging signs recently.”
Mnookin also emphasized UW-Madison programs started with the student affairs team to bolster in-person engagement and to better help students find community events.
“We're trying to be intentional and conscious about helping our students develop and redevelop those skills of engaging with each other in real life,” she said.
