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Evers conversed to students in the MWC about issues that they faced. | Still provided by Alex Evans (KQDS Fox21)
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited UW-Superior on Monday Sept. 16, just two days after Minnesota Governor & Vice President Candidate Tim Walz campaigned at the Markovich Wellness Center.
Gov. Evers’ visit was part of his back-to-school tour of all the UW System campus’ which highlighted his proposal to increase funding to state colleges and universities by a record $850 million—the largest increase in for the UW System in the state’s history.
Evers started his Back-to-School tour at UW-La Crosse on Monday morning, before arriving to Superior by 3 p.m.
In just the last year, the Universities of Wisconsin has shut down five UW branch campus, carried out numerous layoffs, and restructured operations on a portion of Universities of Wisconsin campuses.
“My goal is to also make sure people understand how important state funds for the smallest camps to our largest campus has to be better right now,” said Wisconsin (D) Gov. Tony Evers. “We’re 43rd in the nation, I think, in state support for our public universities and that’s really close to being last.”
According to the State Higher Education Finance Report, Wisconsin ranked 42nd in for public funding for four-year colleges in 2022. According to an April 2023 report, in 2021 Wisconsin ranked 43rd nationally for per-student funding. Despite the low ranking in support of four-year colleges and universities, Wisconsin ranks fifth nationally in support of technical colleges.
During his visit, Gov. Evers met with UWS students to talk about the importance of supporting and funding their education.
In August, the Board of Regents approved an agency budget request that met with the governor’s proposed investments for the Universities of Wisconsin. The governor has committed to his request that now awaits final approval by the Board of Regents.
Gov. Evers continued his Back-to-School Tour at other Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Gov. Evers made additional stops at K-12 schools along the way.
