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The year will be a big one for Viterbo University in terms of expanding its academic programs, said Rick Artman, university president.
In fall 2008, The Higher Learning Commission will pay a much-anticipated visit. The university has been preparing for the past three years.
Viterbo will seek to renew its accreditation and request permission to offer several new degrees: a doctorate of nurse practice (DNP), a doctorate in ethical leadership, and three new master’s degree programs, all of which would be offered in 2009 at the earliest, Artman said.
From a physical standpoint, Viterbo will update its campus master plan in 2008.
The university is in the exploration stages of a couple new buildings. A new nursing building is being proposed between the current nursing building and the Fine Arts Center. It also will explore more on-campus student housing options as Viterbo experienced a 17 percent growth in the freshman class in fall 2007, said Artman.
There also will be staff changes in 2008. Barbara Gayle will be the new academic vice president. And with seven faculty retirements in May 2008, Viterbo will say goodbye to some “distinguished senior faculty” and welcome new talent, Artman said.
Hiring new staff also will be on the agenda for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2008.
UW-L’s Joint Planning and Budget Committee will analyze where new faculty and staff are needed now that the Growth, Quality and Access plan was approved by the UW-System Board of Regents in December. The plan allows for 75 more faculty and 20 more staff members to be hired over the next five years. The committee will make recommendations to the administration, and new employees will start as early as fall 2008, said UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow.
Physical changes also will be under way at UW-L. The academic building project continues in 2008 with finalizing building design plans, Gow said.
The UW-L Foundation will continue efforts to raise $6 million needed toward the $44 million project. The other $38 million will be provided through the state budget. The foundation has raised a little more than $1 million and will need to raise about $5 million more to be able to break ground in 2009.
Meanwhile, a decision on whether to go forward with the UW-L Veterans Memorial Athletic Complex needs to be made by Feb. 1. About $12.6 million has been pledged thus far, while the most basic design requires $15.6 million.
Western Technical College also has some physical additions in store. The Lunda Center is scheduled to start construction in spring 2008 and finish in fall 2009. The facility will hold courses targeted toward incumbent workers and will help address the growing skilled worker shortage, said Western President Lee Rasch.
“They may not be in skilled positions that they could be in, and, if we can get them to come to Western and help them get those skills, we think we can help with the shortage,” Rasch said.
He said Western also will continue creating partnerships and talking with high school students, faculty and parents about the large number of good-paying careers attainable through education from technical and community colleges. These careers also require students entering community and technical colleges to be well-prepared for rigorous coursework, Rasch added.
Other main initiatives at Western include reaching new transfer agreements, increasing private support, continuing the pattern of service learning and expanding on the delivery of programs through partnerships in the community, particularly in health care, Rasch said.
Western also will solicit proposals for a new, larger residence hall as the lease on the current dorm at the corner of Seventh and Vine streets will be up at the end of 2010, he said.
