UW-Superior Will Cut 15 Programs, Many Of Them Graduate Studies

University of Wisconsin-Superior has suspended almost half of its 15 graduate programs as part of an effort to alleviate its annual structural deficit of $2.5 million.

UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter says 15 programs are being cut, and that the school is also looking at outsourcing things like IT support, campus safety, custodians, and groundskeepers.

UW-Superior is the only four-year campus with a projected deficit by the end of this fiscal year.

“It’s been kind of the nexus of the decline in state support, challenges with the changing demographic of the northern part of Wisconsin, coupled with some budget decisions that maybe weren’t made years ago that come back to haunt you when things get tight,” said Wachter.

One program that was to be suspended was theater, but Wachter pulled that off the chopping block after she spoke to alumni.

Wisconsin State Employees union field representative Carolyn Kaiser blames the Republican Legislature’s cuts and two-year tuition freeze. She also thinks UWS may become the model for privatizing throughout the UW System.

“We’re very aware that they have probably tried to open the door, (and) that this is the first four-year campus that they are attempting do this at,” said Kaiser.

Last week, all 26 grounds and custodian workers were told they could be laid off and that their jobs may be privatized.

Wachter met with faculty and staff this afternoon. Most of the campus showed up. “One of the things that’s wonderful about the campus is that there’s a lot of pride, and you could see that pride by the number of people who showed up at the forum,” said Wachter. “It was a record turnout. We ran out of chairs.”

Even though 44 percent of the masters programs will be cut, students already in those programs will be allowed to finish their degrees.