Maria Gallo

Inspired by the question “What would Wisconsin be like without its 13 public university campuses?” that UW System President Jay Rothman has been asking, I am now posing that question to you, the community we call home, to contemplate.

In our amazing city of over 16,000, it is likely that your life has been impacted in some way by the presence of our campus. There are about 6,000 alumni within 20 miles of River Falls, working in our businesses, public institutions and school districts. We are the largest employer in River Falls and Pierce County, bringing about 800 employees and over 5,000 students to the area.

We are having a phenomenal impact on the lives of those students, 90% of whom say they are well satisfied with their education. Our latest First Destination Survey, which asks about career outcome after graduation, shows that over 99% of our graduates report being employed or going on to professional or graduate schools. Five years after graduation, 87% of UWRF graduates who were originally from Wisconsin are still living in Wisconsin and 20% of those from Minnesota or other states have stayed or returned.

Nationwide studies on the societal impacts of higher education show that graduates like these not only contribute to the economy with knowledge and innovation, they also participate more actively in our democracy and contribute more to state revenues. It is estimated that, compared to the average high school graduate, a person with a bachelor’s degree will contribute $2,200/year more in state tax revenues, while saving the state $300/year in social service program expenses.

UW-River Falls is clearly an excellent value to our community and the state, but most importantly to our students. Nearly 80% of our graduates earn significantly more than the average high school graduate after 10 years. One national study found that 10 years after earning a degree, our graduates’ annual earnings average 2.5 times their net cost. UWRF graduates also have some of the lowest student loan debt rates in the UW System. Even with a modest increase to tuition for the first time in nearly a decade, UWRF remains one of the most affordable campuses in Wisconsin.  

To continue to keep a UWRF education affordable and accessible, we are expanding our Dual Academic Credit Program offerings in River Falls High School and five other high schools in the surrounding communities, serving over 400 students this year. We also are welcoming in around 150 high school students from 28 different schools to take Early College Credit Program classes, both on campus and through online offerings that improve access for students in distant rural schools.

UWRF is committed to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and student tuition revenue, responding to market changes and introducing efficiencies where needed. For example, we have reduced administration costs by consolidating from four colleges to three and are hiring more shared positions, such as a Chippewa Valley Technical College transfer student adviser shared with UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire, and a senior information security officer shared with UW-Superior.

When possible, we reinvest savings to address student interest and market demand, introducing programs that range from a master’s degree in data analytics to meat industry training programs in humane handling. Meanwhile, UWRF remains staunchly committed to welcoming a diversity of viewpoints and experiences, providing an education that teaches the essential skills that students need and employers want, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and civil dialogue.

Given the growth of advanced science and technology industries in our region, it is important to note that UWRF produces the third highest percentage of graduates in STEM fields in the UW System and we are looking to increase that number. The value of this to the state’s economy was recognized when the state legislature enumerated funding in the last biennial budget for the Science and Technology Innovation Center. We and employers in our community are extremely grateful for this investment, which we will pass on to our students.

The legislature is once again reviewing the many budget asks that come before it every two years. UW System has made only modest requests, especially considering the state’s historic financial surplus and the inflationary costs of doing business. According to a recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report, state funding for four-year campuses in Wisconsin ranks 43rd nationally, well below the U.S. average of $17,733/student. Without further state investment, the cost of a quality education will fall more on the hard-working families of Wisconsin, so I hope you will consider helping us advocate for support of the UW System 2023-25 budget request. Specifically, for UWRF, we ask that the state:

• Include $3.4 million to plan renovations at our campus laboratory farm, where students gain hands-on experience and go on to contribute, for example, to Wisconsin’s $2.24 billion equine industry.
• Continue investments in collaborations like the Dairy Innovation Hub and Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, bringing UW experts together to address critical research needs.
• Provide $700,000 in startup funding for UWRF to take over the residential Farm and Industry Short Course that was offered at UW-Madison for over a century.

I am hopeful that you agree this vibrant community would be a much different place without UW-River Falls as a vital partner. Renewed state investment in the UW System will allow us to continue to fulfill our educational mission, benefiting this community, the state of Wisconsin and beyond.