Dear Colleagues,

Last week, all UWM employees received an email update about the failure of a state Legislature committee to act on already-promised pay increases for Universities of Wisconsin employees.

I’m writing with an update that we are engaged in direct advocacy work with decision-makers, and we will continue to press until the pay raises are approved. We have also asked our alumni network, influential partners and other stakeholders to join us in advocating for the overwhelming value UWM’s employees deliver to our students, our communities and the statewide economy.

I’m also writing to keep you updated on related developments. It’s in that spirit that I pass along a message I received yesterday from Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman:

A few weeks ago, I shared a message with staff about the impact your work has in building a better Wisconsin. Your work continues to inspire me as we continue to face challenges, most recently highlighted by the fact that the legislature is now withholding pay plan adjustments for all UW employees.

As I have stated publicly, this is beyond disappointing. These legislative actions are unprecedented. However, I have not given up hope. This is not the Wisconsin I know.

This week, I visited our universities in River Falls, Green Bay, and Whitewater to continue to talk about the value our public universities provide for every Wisconsinite. Your work here is critical to the success of the 161,000 students we serve. And we are engaged in advocacy efforts throughout the state and with the legislature. We will be relentless, because what is being done is not only not fair, it is wrong.

Thank you for your patience and work.

I share President Rothman’s dismay at this unprecedented action by the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations, as well as his determination that you receive the raises you’ve earned. In the meantime, I thank you for your continued commitment to carry out UWM’s most valuable mission — supporting our students and our community.

Best regards,

Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor