RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. — The Universities of Wisconsin said in a letter that it will vacate the former University of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland campus this summer.

In Nov. 2022, Universities of Wisconsin announced all degree program offerings would cease at the campus by the following academic year, citing low enrollment numbers with only about 60 students pursuing degrees there.

In Oct. 2023, Universities of Wisconsin president Jay Rothman announced the campus would be closed. Students would be offered enrollment opportunities at other colleges, he said.

On April 23, 2024, the Universities of Wisconsin sent a letter to the Richland County Board of Supervisors via email. The letter stated that UW would vacate the campus by July 1, 2024.

“…President Rothman announced that in-person education would no longer be provided at the Richland County campus due to low enrollment numbers. Following the announcement, I was directed to work with you and community leaders to evaluate viable options for the Universities of Wisconsin to maintain a presence on the campus. Despite significant efforts, meetings, and discussions with various stakeholders, the parties recognized by fall of 2023 that no viable options existed,” the letter said, in part.

Recently, Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation into law that provides $2 million to counties where a UW branch campus has closed. According to the letter, Richland would be eligible for that funding. That money can be put toward projects that would “redevelop the campus facilities to better serve the community.”

However, Richland County released a statement explaining UW’s decision will hurt the county’s economy.

“Despite ongoing attempts to negotiate a mutually agreeable end to our partnership, the Universities of Wisconsin has made the unilateral decision to completely vacate the Richland County Campus by July 1, 2024 with no compensation or settlement agreement in place. It is disappointing that the Universities of Wisconsin System is shirking their responsibilities. At no time, under any circumstance, did the legislature indicate that receipt of the $2 million grant would absolve the UW Universities System of their obligations to affected counties. Richland County, which had previously relied on the contractual relationship between the parties, is now facing a potential economic crisis due to the Universities’ decision,” the statement said in part.

Read the full letter from UW, here. 

Read the full statement from the county, here. 

This story is developing. Check back for updates.