UW-River Falls positively impacted by new state budget

July 3, 2019 - The educational mission of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will be supported by several key elements included in the 2019-21 Wisconsin state budget signed into law today by Governor Tony Evers.

“I am grateful for the work and support of the state legislature and am delighted that Governor Evers has demonstrated his support for the UW System and for UW-River Falls by signing the state budget bill into law,” said UWRF Chancellor Dean Van Galen. “This budget contains many elements which will positively benefit our campus, support our outstanding faculty and staff and foster continued economic growth in this thriving part of Wisconsin.”

Of special importance to UW-River Falls is the allocation of $2 million in planning funds for the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech). This amount will be sufficient for UW-River Falls to reach a critical stage of the design process over the next two years and will help the campus plan for obtaining construction funds from the state, hopefully in the next biennial budget, as well as garnering private philanthropic support for the innovative facility. 

Other elements of the Wisconsin state budget that will positively impact UW-River Falls include:

• A state pay plan resulting in a 2% increase on Jan. 1, 2020, and an additional 2% increase on Jan. 1, 2021 (part of which will need to be covered using campus funds).
• $45 million in new funding for the UW System. 
• $8.8 million in funding for the Dairy Innovation Hub, a research and industry support partnership between UW-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls.

Throughout this process, UW-River Falls was pleased to receive support from the campus, business and community leaders, and public and elected officials alike including local elected officials Representative Shannon Zimmerman and Senator Patty Schachtner. 

For more information, email dina.fassino@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-4306.