The UW System Board of Regents met on April 8th and 9th. UW System President Thompson stated that the UW System will not mandate that students are vaccinated against COVID-19 to enroll next fall; however all students and members of the university community are “strongly encouraged” to vaccinate. He added that students who demonstrate they are fully vaccinated will be exempt from the university’s regular COVID testing. President Thompson also announced the launch of the UW System’s new Procure-to-Pay project, called ShopUW+.  In his report to the Board, Regent President Petersen shared the latest numbers on the financial impact of COVID on the UW System: the upshot is an estimated net loss of nearly $170 million. Regent President Petersen reported that semifinalist candidates have been interviewed in the UW-River Falls chancellor search and an announcement on finalists is expected later this month. Regent President Petersen also highlighted a new set of video shorts produced by “Discover Wisconsin” that feature the UW System – UWO is featured in UW Oshkosh responds to COVID-19 pandemic.  

During the second day of the meeting, the Board of Regents heard a presentation of a UW System initiative titled Project Distance Education+ (Project DE+), which will accelerate the development of new “career-ready” online programs marketed to adult learners and Wisconsin employers. The project emphasizes greater speed-to-market for programs, responsiveness to employer demand, and maximum flexibility. The UW System included a $15 million online education item in its 2021-23 budget proposal. Presenters noted that UW System will move forward aggressively with Project DE+ with programs to be implemented as early as January 2022. The Regents were very receptive to a UW System approach, for example building on UW Extended Campus. For more information see the UW System PowerPoint: Project Distance Education (DE)+ The Renewed Wisconsin Idea & the Distance Education Opportunity and the Day two summary.

Day two of the meeting also featured presentations of both the 2020 and 2021 Regent Teaching Award Winners. UW Oshkosh Department of Radio TV Film is a recipient of the 2020 award – see the May 2020 Oshkosh Today feature for details about the Department’s award.

A full media summary is available for Day 1 and Day 2 of the meeting; a press release on Project DE+ is also available.