As Milwaukee goes, so goes Wisconsin? If we truly mean that, we should invest in UWM.

The Wisconsin Idea, a fundamental philosophical pillar of the University of Wisconsin, charges the system with serving all parts of the state.

But the system has fallen short in its most populous region — Milwaukee.

Of all the institutions working to make a difference in diversity, equity and inclusiveness, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has the most pivotal role. As an open access university, it has a special mission to address chronic racial divides that hinder progress in the state.

UWM needs more support from the University of Wisconsin System, from political leaders in the legislative and executive branches of government, from business and nonprofit leaders.

It is quite simply the biggest and most effective organization for providing a quality workforce and ladder to prosperity for the most disadvantaged members of society.

Yet UWM is not funded sufficiently for the critical contributions it makes.

Here are key areas where UWM could have a bigger impact:

UWM can help repair racial injustice

The leaders of the Milwaukee 7 region all agree that economic, education and social gaps must be narrowed and closed.

UWM is positioned to help.

As the second-largest institution in the UW System, UWM has about 25,000 students, of which 6,100 are students of color, the highest of the 13 UW campuses. The undergraduate student body is 32% students of color. UWM also educates more than 1,000 veterans, more than any other UW campus. Many are students of color.

Solution: Expand the Promise Program on all 26 campuses and fund the Moon Shot for Equity Initiative to cover tuition, mentoring and tutoring to propel disadvantaged students to degrees.

Innovation drives the Wisconsin economy

UWM earned $63 million in research dollars in 2020, including $46 million from federal agencies. Its research helps spawn the creation of new companies and higher-paying jobs.

Centered at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, UWM leads the region in startup and entrepreneurship mentoring initiatives. It deploys the very effective national I-Corps program that accelerates business formation.

UWM Research Foundation has come a long way in the last 15 years to create patents, startups and licenses with businesses. From a standing start, UWM now has 121 patents issued, 47 license options in place and 15 new companies.

UWM has created new “centers” and partnerships for the development of technical expertise and business innovation. 

Solution: To support UWM’s research mission, fund UWM closer to the level of Wisconsin's other research university in Madison, and fund the new UWM chemistry building and design work for a new engineering building.

Help improve public health outcomes 

Milwaukee does poorly in county health rankings assembled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Wisconsin has a large racial disparity in public health.

Leadership turnover has plagued the Milwaukee Health Department, with three commissioners in the last four years, and recent audits have shown weaknesses in the city's lead poisoning response, immunizations for kids and contraceptive programs.

And yet the UWM School of Public Health, which could do more to help, has been underfunded ever since it was created in 2009.

In contrast, enrollment in the health sciences at UWM has increased dramatically from 2000 to 2012. But despite that enrollment success, a proposal to consolidate the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences and the School of Public Health has not been funded.

Solution: Pull together and fund UWM’s health care units, which would help create high-paying jobs and graduates in health care and social services. Foster interdisciplinary programs in health, nursing and public health. Track progress on public health care access and costs.

Milwaukee's prosperity lags

In the decade since March, 2010, Wisconsin has added 37,000 jobs, even counting the impact of the pandemic. Milwaukee County, by contrast, dropped 3,000 jobs.

The city of Milwaukee's poverty rate is 25.4% vs. 10.4% statewide. Medium household income in Milwaukee is $41,838 compared with $61,747 statewide.

Universities are economic engines for states and regions if they are fully and fairly funded.

Solution: Turn UWM into a health care hub, which will yield good-paying jobs and better care for the region.

Exploit UWM's expertise in freshwater sciences

UWM has been designated the hub of the new Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. Its School of Freshwater Sciences will be the fulcrum for the emerging cluster of freshwater technologies and startup companies. It will take advantage of Milwaukee’s location on the Great Lakes. 

The school offers a bachelor's of science and master's of science as well as a doctoral degree in freshwater sciences. It is home to the Center for Water Policy and the Great Lakes WATER Institute and other freshwater science assets.

Solution: Fund the Freshwater Collaborative at $10 million in the next state budget.

A funding disparity holds back both UWM and the entire M7 region

UWM’s progress has been stunted by the deficiency in funding that stems from an eight-year tuition freeze, an enrollment drop of more than 15%, and a persistent decrease in state funds. It brings in far less from state government than does UW-Madison.

UWM has no other major sources of funding. Its foundation has about $200 million in assets, which are dwarfed by the foundation assets supporting UW-Madison. UWM’s fundraising has improved, but not nearly enough to offset revenue losses elsewhere.

Even with the help of the federal stimulus, UWM faces a funding gap of $10 million to $15 million in the 2021-23 biennium.

Solutions:

• Allow borrowing authority for the University of Wisconsin System.

• Consider supplemental funding for UWM Pell Grant students to keep them in school until graduation.

• Increase system help to raise the level of federal government and business grants.

• Provide organizational funding for the UWM Research Foundation and the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, which work together to accelerate research and startups on campus.

• Tap the $800 million Blue Cross endowments UW System public health initiatives, including funding the UWM School of Public health and UWM's Northwest Quadrant development.

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We've long heard it said that as "Milwaukee goes, so goes Wisconsin." If we truly believe that, we should adequately fund the public institution that has the best chance to do the most good: UWM.

John Torinus, chairman of Serigraph, is a member of the board of directors of the UWM Research Foundation.