University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is no longer considering merging its College of Fine Arts with its College of Letters and Science as it copes with a proposed 25 percent cut in state aid.
Late on Thursday, UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson took the merger off the table, citing “a lot of strong reaction from students, community members and university colleagues” who wanted the College of Fine Arts to stay as a separate institution. The move would have saved $280,000 and three faculty positions.
Patterson said the school will now look elsewhere to address the governor’s proposed budget cuts.
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“We are faced with a 25 percent reduction in our state support, the largest of any college or university in the system. When you reduce your budget by $6.9 million, those reductions have to come from some place,” said Patterson.
UW-Stevens Point may eliminate as many as 115 positions if the cuts aren’t reduced.
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