UW system taking on more program, enrollment oversight following third-party assessment | Fox 11

(WLUK) — As a result of a review of the finances of Universities of Wisconsin campuses, the system will take on a larger oversight role on program evaluation and enrollment management.

According to the findings by Deloitte, there were 194 low-enrolled programs system-wide out of 646 programs analyzed. Low-enrolled is defined as a minimum of 52 total students majoring in a degree program annually, which represents the minimum students needed to meet current program monitoring target of 25 degrees conferred over the prior five-year period.

The review examined all UW campuses, except for Madison.

All universities, excluding Madison, have grown the number of undergraduate majors offered by 6.8%, despite bachelor’s degree conferrals declining by 9.2%.

In response to the review, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman says UW Administration will do the following:

• Take a more active role in supporting universities in enrollment management, including enrollment forecasting.
• Charge a work group with representation from the universities to develop recommendations and metrics for low-enrollment program evaluation. The intent is to provide the Board of Regents with a process for review of low-enrolled programs that increases oversight and aligns with the rigor of the new program approval process.
• Enhance financial accountability standards, including the implementation of university realignment plans focused on eliminating structural deficits and the commencement of formal mid-year financial reviews of the universities.
• Provide more effective, customer-focused shared services and expand use of those services by the universities.
• Continue to leverage technologies and improve administrative processes to facilitate increased data-informed decision-making.

A Wisconsin Legislative Council study committee looking into the future of the UW system discussed the possibility of a review of programs throughout the system back in October.

Six campuses are faced with structural deficits for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which is down from 10 universities reported in the 2023-24 annual budget.

The system is aiming to close deficits at all schools by 2028.

“These reviews have helped us refine steps to eliminate structural deficits at a number of our universities and embark on a path of long-term financial stability,” Rothman said in a release. “We will continue to make necessary changes across our universities to ensure faithful stewardship of resources and to better serve students and parents, employers, and communities across Wisconsin.”

One of those campuses operating at a loss is UW-Oshkosh. The University projects its deficit will be eliminated by the end of its 2026 fiscal year.

UWO has taken steps to eliminate the deficit, which included layoffs, as well as an academic restructuring plan that was approved by Universities of Wisconsin Regents in August.

Declining enrollment has been cited as a factor in budget shortfalls across the system.

For the 2024 fall semester, the Universities of Wisconsin saw enrollment rise by 1.2%, or 1,900 students across all 13 UW schools.

UWs: UW system taking on more program, enrollment oversight following third-party assessment