Statement on Closure of UW-Milwaukee Waukesha Campus

MADISON — In reaction to today’s announcement that UW-Milwaukee’s Waukesha branch campus will close at the end of the Spring 2025 semester, Senator Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), chairman of the Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue, issued the following statement:

“Decisions like today’s UW announcement are difficult and will likely impact many lives. Similar tough decisions about the structure and delivery of higher ed are being made in other parts of our state and across the country.

“Demographic trends, evolving workforce needs, and changing preferences among young people are demanding a more efficient and modernized approach to higher ed.

“These ongoing developments further emphasize Wisconsin’s need to re-envision our higher ed systems. Without that vision of how we educate and prepare tomorrow’s leaders and workforce, we will need to continue taking these necessary band aid measures in order to temporarily sustain our campuses.

“Our UW System has been a bedrock of Wisconsin’s economy since its formation in 1971. We must be planning for a new future in higher ed for the next 50 years. I look forward to continuing to work with UW, education, and business leaders on that initiative as chairman of Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue.”