University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Layoffs 32 Faculty Members

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Board of Regents has approved the unprecedented layoff of 32 tenured faculty members, the first mass layoffs of tenured staff in the state's university system since tenure protections were weakened nearly a decade ago. Chancellor Mark Mone cited significant enrollment declines and the closure of the College of General Studies as key reasons for the decision. The college's closure is part of a broader trend of declining market demand for two-year degrees, with UWM's two suburban campuses experiencing nearly a 58% drop in enrollment since 2018. Critics, including faculty representatives, question the necessity of the layoffs and their alignment with financial constraints. The planned layoffs and college closure reflect ongoing challenges within the UW system, exacerbated by insufficient state support and demographic shifts affecting student enrollment. Notices for the layoffs are set to be distributed shortly, marking a significant shift in the university landscape in Wisconsin.