November 21, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
Earlier this month, I announced the formation of the College of General Studies Transformation Team (CGSTT), which is committed to fulfilling the directive by the Universities of Wisconsin to close the Washington County campus by June 30, 2024.
Achieving our shared goal to maximize student opportunities will require the reshaping of the College of General Studies. We are working side-by-side with leaders from CGS as well as leaders from UWM-wide operations such as academic affairs, finance, enrollment management, research and student success/retention to implement this plan.
The CGSTT Charge Document provides details on the charge, goals, timelines and guiding principles. The first charge meeting is scheduled for next week.
Structure
The CGSTT will provide recommendations for how UWM will move forward with the branch campus changes. The team includes executive sponsors and co-chairs.
Executive Sponsors:
- Mark Mone, chancellor
- Andrew Daire, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Robin Van Harpen, senior vice chancellor for Finance & Administrative Affairs
Co-Chairs:
- Kathy Dolan, College of Letters & Science, Political Science distinguished professor and University Committee chair
- Scott Gronert, College of Letters & Science, dean
Work Team Leads
Work Team Leads will focus on the following goals:
Goal 1: Close the Washington County facility by June 30, 2024, including ending in-person instruction at Washington County.
Work Team Leads: Dean of the College of General Studies Simon Bronner and Interim Special Assistant to the Provost and Academic Affairs Suzanne Boyd
Goal 2: Explore the future CGS organizational structure.
Work Team Leads: Kathy Dolan, Scott Gronert and CGS Associate Professor Lisa Hager
Goal 3: Plan future programming, particularly at the Waukesha campus.
Work Team Leads: Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Kay Eilers, CGS Associate Professor Ron Gulotta, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business & Financial Services Drew Knab and Interim Vice Provost for Research Kris O’Connor
Goal 4: Develop a detailed plan on how to effectuate needed changes based on the outcome of Goal 3 by June 30, 2024.
Work Team Leads: CGS Associate Dean Greg Ahrenhoerster, Vice Provost for Student Success David Clark and Associate Dean of Humanities in the College of Letters & Science Jason Puskar, with Kathy Dolan, Scott Gronert and Lisa Hager as needed for implementation efforts
This work will require significant collaboration across UWM colleges, divisions and units to address student academic needs and support, academic offerings, accreditation, budget, enrollment management operations, facilities, governance, human resources, IT, operational structures, student services and other areas.
Given the wide range of issues to be addressed in the goals, each team will be composed of sub-groups of individuals who have local knowledge, expertise on a given topic or operational responsibility in each area. The Work Teams will invite subject matter experts, including CGS employees and UWM shared governance representatives, as appropriate, to address their goals. It should be noted that CGS employees will be involved in all Work Teams.
As the work continues over the next several months, we will provide timely updates to employees, students and the communities we serve. The CGS webpage will remain the source of updated information, including frequently asked questions and upcoming meeting dates.
This is important and challenging work, but we believe it will help us achieve our most critical mission to advance student success.
Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor