The University of Wisconsin System will host a public hearing next Thursday to discuss UW Extension’s new proposal, which changes their mission to assist in the education of non-traditional Wisconsin students.

The extension’s proposal, written in August, would allow non-traditional students — such as those 25 and older, attending classes part-time and not living on or near campus — the ability to receive credit through the UW Flexible Option model. This model enables students to receive credit for what they have already learned outside of school in the academic areas of business and management.

UW Extension is a division of the UW System that, in partnership with public and private organizations, including 26 UW campuses, 72 counties and three tribal governments, provides educational resources and research to all Wisconsinites, regardless of circumstance.

According to the proposal, the UW System does not currently offer customizable and flexible online course options for certain degrees, which adult students expect and need in a world connected by the Internet.

Noel Radomski, director and associate researcher of the Wisconsin Center of the Advancement of Postsecondary Education, disagrees with the proposal.

“All universities and colleges in the UW System can offer competency-based certificates, associate degrees [and] in fact, laureate degrees. That is the essence of the mission change,” Radomski said. “It’s repetitive.”

In a WISCAPE blog post, Radomski argued UW Extension should have allowed public discourse on the proposal by including it in the UW System strategic plan discussions.

UW System leaders have been traveling around the state, discussing ideas for the strategic plan since September. Radomski said it would have been appropriate for them to include UW Extension’s idea at the meetings.

On the road: UW System leaders travel around Wisconsin, connect UW to communities

Instead, Radomski argued UW Extension should continue with their current mission to serve non-traditional students through not-for-credit courses.

Alex Hummel, spokesperson for the UW System, said in a statement the system will eventually consider the proposal.

“As the proposal advances, the Board of Regents will thoroughly review it,” Hummel said in the statement.

According to its website, UW Extension provides these educational opportunities to help the UW System achieve its “Wisconsin Idea.”

The Board of Regents will host a public hearing on the proposal Nov. 5 at the Pyle Center.