University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly made a plea for more state funding and decreased state control to members of the Rotary Club of Madison Monday, and said continued support of the university system is of vital importance in moving Wisconsin’s economy into the 21st century.
Reilly said the UW System can provide the states with research and graduates who can jumpstart Wisconsin’s economy and move it forward.
“To thrive in an innovation economy our state needs more college graduates and more jobs that have legs for the 21st century for its citizens, and the UW system is a really valuable asset for meeting those goals,” Reilly said.
However, Reilly said to be able to fulfill these promises the system needs a commitment from the state.
He added they are not asking for a blank check, but for stability in their funding from the state so they can plan responsibly for the future.
“We want to ask the state to provide stable funding we have been on a roller coaster ride up and down, mostly down, for a number of years,” Reilly said.
Reilly also said the UW System is looking for more freedom from the state in a number of areas including purchasing, contracting, personal decisions and construction projects. He said they would like to be able to operate more like a business to maximize efficiency.
Board of Regents President Chuck Pruitt said it is critical for the UW System to engage in conversations with people in Wisconsin. He added they have visited various locations all over the state.
Pruitt added the Legislature and the new governor have some tough decisions to make, and the system wants to make sure its voice is heard.
Reilly asked the members of the Rotary Club to make sure their voices were heard by state legislators.
“We need you to talk to your elected officials to help us to make that case. It’s really about the future of our kids and grandkids,” Riley said. “It’s about if they can find decent paying jobs in Wisconsin, or whether they will have to go out of a declining economy to the Twin Cities, New York, Chicago, Singapore or a Hong Kong.”
