OrediggerPoke wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:52 pm
Our regional contemporaries are not seeing anywhere near the declines we are seeing at Wyoming. This is the result of many failures of our University and State in many respects.
The way we begin to address this at this point:
1) We move full throttle on our new dorm and dining facilities. It’s embarrassing when high school kids come to campus and we highlight these subpar facilities.
2) We completely overhaul our antiquated and ineffective marketing strategies and team.
3) We increase funding and highlight our successful and important programs (School of Energy Resources, Engineering, Nursing/certain health sciences, education and business). We require clear strategies for these programs to grow and increase in visibility. This includes faculty acquisition and retention.
And so many more needs. This is just a bare minimum start. We are in real trouble.
This is absolutely correct. In fact, Montana State saw record enrollment this past year.
And all of this comes as some Legislators press to cut property taxes in half (hobbling schools, fire departments, ambulance service, etc.), which would lead to more general fund dollars being redirected to backfill those losses...with a lot of that money coming from places like UW, UW athletics match, etc. Meanwhile, UW has no idea how to live without WY funds.
It is high time for UW to become more entrepreneurial. If I was President, I'd take the block grant and say that it is only available to programs, professors, etc. that can match the funds requested from the grant with non-state sources of funds starting in 2025. The world is awash in cash looking for a home - and a lot of that cash will find its way to those that are innovating and worthy of investment. Those with ideas still win and get paid...which, looking at UW today, tells you all you need to know. I'd also do a challenge program with several million bucks that will be equally split in bonuses to the college faculty, admin and staff that becomes self-sustaining first. Those majors/programs that aren't able to sustain at least 50% of their operations by 2033 would be cut entirely. They will be forced to work together. As it stands now, the entire place resembles a pail for crabs that pulls down the escapee just because they, themselves, can't escape.