UWM Downtown

As UW-Milwaukee studies location alternatives for the expansion of their campus, the discussion has been focused on finding enough room for UWM and enough money to support an expansion. As a result, many other critical topics have been overlooked. In particular, the impact that an expansion of UWM would have on the environment is an important factor to consider when comparing locations. Downtown Milwaukee would enable UWM to build an environmentally conscious campus, as well as position the school to be a leader in the green economy.

First, building an urban campus is inherently “green”. In general, it discourages urban sprawl, resulting in fewer stormwater runoff issues and reduced energy and transportation demands. At a time when a gallon of gas is over $4.00 and only likely to increase over the long-term, choosing a location primarily accessible only by personal vehicles is irresponsible to both the environment and the faculty/students who have to go there on a daily basis. Downtown Milwaukee is served by over a dozen bus lines (including two that go from UWM’s east side campus to downtown) and is also accessible by bike, walking and other alternative modes of transportation.

Second, in addition, a macro view of the environmental problems facing the world indicates that new inventions will need to be put into commercial production to solve global environmental issues. The M7 initiative has identified Milwaukee as a leader in green technology and energy efficiency. UWM could carve out its own niche in the regional and global economy by focusing its research in those fields. Partnering with local corporations such as Johnson Controls, Rockwell Automation, WE Energies and Eaton, as well as Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, would create a cluster of research that would make Milwaukee a global leader in green engineering and energy research.

A central location to all of these institutions is downtown Milwaukee. This cluster would enable Milwaukee to attract researchers from around the world, as well as make Milwaukee a great place to start a company related to any of those fields. Manufacturing the commercial applications of this research could take place in nearby areas such as the Menomonee Valley, 30th Street Industrial Corridor and Riverworks, providing jobs to areas of the Milwaukee region that need them most.

Talk to your friends, family and colleagues about what type of university you envision UWM should become and hopefully you agree that downtown Milwaukee is the most environmentally-friendly and best location for UWM to grow and prosper.

On April 15, 2008, on the day of the inauguration for Mayor Tom Barrett’s second term, the Mayor signed a resolution promoting the expansion of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (“UWM”) within the City of Milwaukee, specifically in the downtown area.

A week earlier, this resolution was unanimously approved by Milwaukee’s Common Council. The entire resolution can be found here.

UWM Downtown applauds this effort and believes that downtown Milwaukee offers the best location for a UWM expansion in the entire Milwaukee region.

This morning, at the last Milwaukee Common Council meeting of the 2004-08 cycle, the Council unanimously approved a resolution promoting the expansion of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (“UWM”) within the City of Milwaukee, specifically in the downtown area.

Resolution number 071708 was co-sponsored by Ald. D’Amato, Ald. Zielinski and Ald. Bauman. The entire resolution can be found here: http://legistar.milwaukee.gov/detailreport/?key=27178
UWM Downtown applauds this effort and believes that downtown Milwaukee offers the best location for a UWM expansion in the entire Milwaukee region.

Students are the main customers of a university. It is important to the Milwaukee region that we attract students to Milwaukee and keep them here after they graduate. Therefore, our universities must always keep the students in mind when developing plans for the future. Unfortunately, UWM’s plan to move its engineering school and related research to Wauwatosa is not in the best interest of UWM students. Downtown Milwaukee, however, is an excellent place for students to live and learn, and downtown would welcome the vitality that students bring. Here are just a few of the important reasons why expanding UWM downtown would be beneficial to the students, and ultimately, the Milwaukee region as a whole:

• Class Scheduling. Having classes on the same campus or a satellite campus in close proximity, such as downtown Milwaukee, makes it much easier to get to class. As a result, more students are likely to attend class. They will also be able to have more flexibility in their schedule to allow time for a part-time job or additional study time. A recent study by Ohio State University shows that the distance a student lives from their classes is directly correlated to how many years it takes them to graduate and their overall GPA: Article
• Transit Access. In addition to being environmentally friendly and reducing the demand for parking on East Side, being able to take efficient transit to class is a major benefit to students. They do not need to spend money maintaining a car or paying for parking that could be better spent on tuition. They save time that could be better spend studying. Taking transit to the UW-Tosa site from the East Side would take over 45 minutes. However, downtown is currently served extensively by transit, with buses running from downtown to the East Side on a regular basis and taking between 10-15 minutes.
• Housing Options. The East Side provides several housing options for students, including dorms, apartments and duplexes. A UWM expansion downtown would only increase the number of housing options available to students in both the type of housing and rent levels. With a cluster of Marquette, MSOE and MATC students nearby, it is likely that private dorms or apartments aimed towards students would be added to the housing mix in the downtown area. This will reduce the strain that students are currently placing on the East Side neighborhoods. In addition, having students downtown will show our young professionals of the future the great urban living environment that downtown Milwaukee offers. When these students graduate, they will be more likely to stay in Milwaukee and contribute to the region’s success, helping to curb brain drain.
• Convenience. A downtown location for UWM would be extremely convenient for students looking for internships or part-time jobs. With over 70,000 employees downtown, there are plenty of opportunities for internships. Also, with a strong service economy with many sporting events, conventions and other special events, downtown Milwaukee is an easy place for students to get that part-time job they need to buy books and cover rent. A downtown campus would also be near several major educational and cultural amenities for students, such as the Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Public Museum and Discovery World.
• Access to Education. UWM expanding downtown makes access to higher education easier for the residents who need it most. The strength of the Milwaukee region depends on the success of the inner city. UW-Tosa would be moving higher education further from Milwaukee’s inner city. However, putting UWM downtown will make the path to higher education easier for those who might not have even thought of college as a viable option.

We must give Milwaukee and Wisconsin residents a reason to choose to attend UWM, instead of giving them reasons not to enroll at UWM. UW-Tosa will be a major deterrent to potential engineering students solely because of its isolated and inaccessible location. The Milwaukee region cannot afford to lose some of its brightest students to other areas of the state or other states entirely. One of the best ways to attract them to UWM is to offer a learning experience that cannot be found at other universities. Downtown Milwaukee would provide a setting and environment that would excite students about enrolling at UWM and staying in the Milwaukee region after they graduate.