UWM effort to garner support in light of proposed budget cuts evolves from rallies on campus to rallying online

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Chancellors within the University of Wisconsin System continue to develop new ways to garner support -- as Governor Scott Walker's two-year budget proposal calls for $300 million in cuts to the UW System. At UW-Milwaukee, the effort involves sharing the school's story with as many people as possible.

The effort has evolved from rallies on campus to rallying online.

"Our goal right now is to communicate the value of higher education," UW-Milwaukee Vice Chancellor Tom Luljak said.

On Tuesday, February 10th, one week after Governor Walker unveiled his two-year budget proposal at the Capitol in Madison, Luljak detailed the university's efforts to share some perspective on the estimated impact of Governor Walker's proposed cuts to the UW System's budget.

"Over the last few days, our chancellor has reached out in a message to alumni, faculty, staff, students -- to our donors, to people who support us, and has asked them to help tell the story of UWM," Luljak said.

On Wednesday, a newsletter is set to debut which features stories from those hoping to highlight their experience at UWM -- stories which can be shared via Facebook and Twitter with the click of a mouse.

"The new electronic newsletter is not advocacy. It's not saying, 'get on the phone and call someone.' It really is helping people understand what difference a big, research university can make in our own lives," Luljak said.

Luljak estimates the proposed cuts to the UW System would mean $20 million fewer dollars coming to UWM, and while there are certainly those who support Governor Walker's proposal, there are also plenty who support this new effort.

"Cutting out unnecessary expenses, unnecessary programs will help in the long run," Nate Marshall said.

"I think that if it's gonna get a rise out of any of us, that's gonna be the way to do it,"

Luljak says university administrators have instructed anyone who is in any way employed by UWM to avoid using any state resources, such as email accounts for any advocacy-related activities.

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