The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved a liberal arts degree program in the Chippewa Valley region and the designation of UW-Stout as "Wisconsin's polytechnic university" Friday.

Beginning next fall, students in the Chippewa Valley can begin working toward their four-year degree at the Chippewa Valley Technical College and complete it through the UW System.

Under the new degree, two-thirds of the coursework would be completed at CVTC, and students would then have the option to choose between UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-River Falls or UW Colleges Online to complete the last third of their studies.

According to a UW System audio feed, UW System President Kevin Reilly said the program provides students with various options on how to complete a baccalaureate degree.

"The degree clears the pathway for students to start at a two-year campus and begin working toward a four-year degree," UW System spokesperson David Giroux said in a previous interview with The Badger Herald.

Students, Giroux said, may not be prepared for the environment of a four-year campus but want the opportunity to earn a four-year degree, and this program gives them that opportunity.

Giroux added that programs that have been in place between Madison Area Technical College and UW-Madison — and now CVTC and four UW System institutions — take enrollment pressures off of the more competitive UW campuses.

"We want to serve young people all over the state — including the students over in western Wisconsin," Giroux said.

In addition, the board officially designated UW-Stout as a polytechnic university.

UW Stout Communications Director Doug Mell said in a previous interview that the distinction would raise more money received in grants from the government and from private funds, specifically corporate dollars.

"This designation raises the morale and visibility of our campus," Mell said. "We are excited on campus to do even better work."

The description of a polytechnic university, Mell said, "is characteristic of how we teach with an emphasis on applied laboratory and technological learning, as well as a strong connection with the business and industrial fields."

After 13 years of serving the Board of Regents, Gerard Randall was honored by the board for his service Friday.

"He showed a great commitment to his responsibilities, [and] he truly cares about the issues he raised and the issues he focused on," Regent President David Walsh said, according to the audio feed.

Walsh added Randall was devoted to issues such as diversity and worked toward improving the quality of education the UW System offers for the underserved individuals of Wisconsin.

"I've been privileged to serve the people who have a belief in the power of the higher education to transform lives," Randall said, according to the audio feed.

After being confirmed by the full state Senate last month, Regent Michael Falbo, who replaced Randall, officially became a member of the board.

Randall said Falbo would be a "tremendous asset to the Board and its work" and added "the state is in good hands — yours and theirs."