May 23, 2024
UWM is providing regular updates as it works toward closing the Washington County and Waukesha campuses. These will be provided every two weeks to CGS faculty and staff and have a dedicated section in the biweekly Faculty & Staff Updates newsletter. Other updates may also be sent, as necessary, in addition to this biweekly email.
Here are the updates from the four operational areas:
Issue 1: HLC Accreditation Issues
On May 13, UWM and Waukesha County Technical College leadership signed an articulation agreement, which will ease the transfer of UWM College of General Studies associate degree-seeking students to WCTC, if they wish to remain in Waukesha to complete their associate degree after UWM at Waukesha closes. This agreement contains transfer of UWM AAS credits toward the WCTC AA or AS degree requirements and a streamlined application process. WCTC has created an intent/interest form that will replace a lengthy application. UWM announced this option to all CGS students via email on May 15. The email also reminded them of options for completing their degrees at UWM and encouraged them to discuss options with their advisor.
Issue 2: Programming and Personnel
The University Committee is asking for feedback from CGS employees, CGS students and governance groups on the CGS Program Discontinuance Proposal via a webform on the Waukesha Closure webpage. The last day to submit feedback is June 2. The committee has 30 days to collect comments and recommendations, which will then be shared with members of the UC for their consideration.
The deadline to participate in the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program was on May 10, 2024. Eight faculty decided to participate in the program.
WCTC updated its job landing page to allow impacted employees to access internal postings. WCTC also included a checkbox on job applications for UWM at Waukesha employees. Check out this guide to applying for WCTC jobs and the WCTC benefits guide.
Employees are encouraged to use the services of UWM’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Acentra Health, which is available to all UWM employees and their family members. Acentra Health is free, confidential and available 24/7. Please contact Acentra Health at 833-539-7285 or online at sowi.mylifeexpert.com. Sign in using UWM’s password: SOWI.
Questions?
- Review the Employee FAQs for updated information.
- For all other general HR questions, please reach out to your Human Resources Business Partner.
- Questions regarding your specific tax, financial or legal questions should be directed to your personal tax and financial advisors, attorney, or another advisor.
Issue 3: Washington County Closure, followed by Waukesha Closure
This week, the UWM team is collecting and checking justifications for UWM at Washington County furniture and other items requested through the online portal to be delivered to other UWM locations for business use. Coakley is working with recipients to schedule deliveries.
A reminder that the UWM at Washington County building and parking lots will be closed to the public on May 28 through June 30, 2024. Faculty and staff will not be able to gain entrance unless they contact campus administrator Paul Price in advance at priceap@uwm.edu. Washington County faculty and staff have been notified that they should vacate their offices by May 24, before the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Issue 4: UWM University Center at WCTC (and Washington County programming at MPTC)
Work on the plans for the UWM University Center at WCTC is ongoing, and biweekly operational check-ins between counterparts at each institution continue. Our goal is to finalize the facilities MOU soon and submit the HLC application for the additional UWM location in late May or early June. Decisions about which degree programs will be offered at the UWM University Center at WCTC will not be finalized for a few more months.
These written updates to CGS employees will continue through the end of the Spring 2025 semester. This CGS webpage will remain the source of updated information, including frequently asked questions, upcoming meeting dates and postings of previous emails.