Plan to merge UW System schools a good start

At least it’s a start. The University of Wisconsin System is unveiling a plan to become leaner. Under the plan to be presented to the Board of Regents, the state’s two year and four year campuses will be merged. It would cluster the two and four year schools by region. So, UW Marinette and UW Sheboygan would become a branch of UW Green Bay, while UW Barron County would become part of UW-Eau Claire. This is not suprising. Enrollment at the UW System’s two year schools has been declining rapidly. Unfortunately, the plan does not call for closing any existing UW campuses. But Wisconsin has more schools in its university system than nearly every other state. The UW System is made up of 13 four-year schools, and 13 two-year schools. Do we need that many? Do we need a UW Fox Valley and a UW Oskhosh? Do we need a UW Rock County and UW Whitewater? Supporters say this plan will help cut costs, and raise graduation numbers. But more can be done. Our university system should offer more online courses to save money and provide more convenience. And the system should work to make it easier for students to graduate on time. This is a start, but we should look at making even bigger changes to our system of higher education.