UW-Stevens Point has proposed expanding capacity in several high-demand academic programs and piloting a three-year degree program. Chancellor Bernie Patterson presented UW-Stevens Point's request to the UW System Board of Regents today.
"UW-Stevens Point's vision for a new regional university aligns perfectly with the UW System capacity building initiative," Patterson said.
The UW System is seeking $25 million to add hundreds of students in high-demand fields such as health care, computer science and engineering. These initiatives are designed to enhance student success, improve the state's talent pipeline and spur innovation.
Patterson highlighted five capacity-building requests:
- Expand paper science and chemical engineering, doubling the number of students in both engineering programs. Paper Science and Engineering graduates have had 100 percent job placement rates. Wisconsin has a strong history of papermaking, and the pulp and paper converting side of the industry has grown significantly.
- Expand computer science and information systems by nearly doubling the students in computer information systems and increasing by five-fold the students in data analytics. Demand is especially high for professionals with this bachelor's degree.
- Develop the first degree in aquaponics/aquaculture. Aquaculture, or farming fish, is the fastest growing sector of food production globally. Already a national leader in education, applied research and development, UW-Stevens Point would meet a growing demand for local, safe, sustainable food systems.
- Pilot three-year degrees with a UW-Stevens Point branch campus. Under a proposed year-round schedule with three equal-length trimesters, most degrees could be completed in less than three years, reducing student loan debt and making graduates available to the workforce sooner.
- Increase community engagement through high-impact internships and undergraduate research. This initiative would expand the number of students in paid internship programs, improving retention of first-generation, low-income or nontraditional students.
The initiatives are part of the UW System's 2019-21 budget request.
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