A newly released third-party analysis raises concerns about the financial future of multiple state universities.
Last year, a forecast from the Universities of Wisconsin projected structural deficits at 10 of Wisconsin’s public universities ranging from millions to tens of millions of dollars.
Only three campuses — Madison, LaCrosse and Stout — were projected to generate enough revenue to meet expenses.
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On Thursday, the UW system released updates from an external review into the finances at seven of the universities with projected deficits.
The reports completed by the firm Deloitte point to fiscal headwinds, including falling enrollment, struggles to retain students, and the end of federal COVID-19 aid.
And, as Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman noted, Wisconsin ranks 42nd in the nation when it comes to state funding for public universities.
“While we will do our part on the expense side of the ledger, it is ultimately up to the state to decide whether it wants and can afford a weakened universities of Wisconsin,” said during a news conference on Thursday.