OSHKOSH, Wis. — Michelle Kuhl clutched several layers of protests signs against her body. She offered them up to people joining a walkout by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh staff Tuesday.
“This system has been under-funded for years at the top from the government,” said Kuhl, a professor in the history department. “In our particular situation, our administration does not seem to have made good decisions about what to do with the money. We worry that it’s not putting students first.”
She was among dozens of UW Oshkosh staff, students and supporters who turned out to make their voices heard as the university navigates an $18 million deficit.
“They’re laying off hundreds of people — educators and instructors — some people who have been here for decades and have helped students immeasurably in and out of the classroom,” she said. “We want more accountability, transparency and shared governance for the administration.”
UW Oshkosh’s plan calls for cutting around 200 staff and administrators through layoffs and early retirement buyouts. Officials said cuts are being aimed to avoid affecting the student experience.
Kuhl said the walkout is intended to reach people beyond campus, especially when it comes to state funding.
“This is a jewel in the crown of Wisconsin. It was a great university system and it has been systematically hacked away,” she said. “The kids of this generation … are facing a university system with less resources, less teachers, less support for students and less options for them than the previous generation. That’s a shame for the people of Wisconsin.”
Furloughs for all staff are part of the budget reduction measures.
Right now, faculty positions are not being cut. Paul Van Auken, a UW Oshkosh professor, said even though his job is secure for now, other teaching staff could be reduced.
“Two hundred-plus people are going to be laid off, but we don’t know who. There are people walking around this semester just looking over their shoulder, so to speak. Am I going to be next?” he said. “Some of these people have been here for decades. They’ve given their lives to the place.”
Through a petition, Van Auken said he and others have asked for more input in navigating the budget issues. They’re also requesting proportionate cuts to upper administration positions.
“We want to save UW O and the UW System for what it still is,” he said. “It hasn’t gone over the cliff yet into something that could be unrecognizable.”