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Reilly suggests UW head cuts

While Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-Eau Claire, announced his plan to merge the UW System’s 13 two-year colleges and 13 four-year universities, UW System President Kevin Reilly recommended an unrelated plan suggesting a single chancellor for UW Colleges and UW-Extension.

The recommendation follows an extensive report commissioned by Reilly in an Oct. 20 memo.

According to the report, representatives from UW Colleges and UW-Extension expressed both concerns and optimism with the possibility of such a merger.

UW representatives found several advantages to the merger, such as expansion of access to higher education for returning adults, students of color, disadvantaged students and place-bound students.

The report stated the merger would also allow for a greater statewide presence, the strengthening of local and county government and would further the goal of more bachelor degrees in the Wisconsin workforce.

However, the report also stated UW representatives are worried about a potential “loss of brand and identity” following a merger, which may cause the public to become confused about the services offered by each institution.

According to the study, some representatives are concerned that the amount of time and energy required to carry out a merger may not be worth the cost.

The report stated the merger might also damage relationships that exist between county and local government partnerships. Furthermore, it stated it would be difficult to find a single leader capable of taking on both institutions.

Still, Reilly said in a release he is optimistic about the plan because efficiency and preserving quality are top priorities for the UW System.

UW Colleges and UW-Extension are currently headed by Interim Chancellors Margaret Cleek and Marv Van Kekerix.

Both chancellors have expressed openness to a potential change.

Reilly will bring his proposal to the Board of Regents in February to discuss possible approval of the plan.

Doug Bradley, the UW System communications spokesperson, said, “We worked with an independent consultant to look at ways we could maybe create some synergies that could help us be more efficient, preserve quality and not harm students all the while.”

According to Bradley, Reilly will eventually make more announcements to the regents.

The recommendation comes after chancellors’ salaries were raised earlier in the fall of the school year.

In an interview, Student Regent Beth Richlen said, “The chancellors pay for themselves.”

The regents raised chancellors’ salaries because the UW System is in need of the talented chancellors, according to Richlen.

Not since the 1970s, when the UW System was formed from a massive merger, has this type of operation occurred, said Richlen.

“In a way, it’s radical. In a way, it’s not so radical for these times,” she said. “We do it all the time in campuses — constantly merging to save money.”

Reilly said his dedication to discovering new methods for efficiency and quality has not yielded yet.

“We have been studying efficiency measures since I took office in September, and this recommendation is among many changes under careful consideration that can help this university improve its service to Wisconsin,” Reilly said in the release. “I anticipate continued access, success and vitality as these institutions evolve.”