UWM’s Waukesha Campus to Close in 2025

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will close its campus in Waukesha in the spring of 2025, according to a press release from UWM. 

The branch campus experienced an enrollment decline from 2,206 students in 2014 to 686 students in the fall of 2023, a total decrease of over 65% according to a press release from UWM. 

“Enrollment declines have remained consistent at the Waukesha campus, even with additional investments to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, business and psychology,” said UWM Director of Strategic Communications Angelica Duria in an email. “There are fewer students seeking an associate degree at the Waukesha campus. This could be due to several factors. Families are having less children, so there are fewer college-bound students.” Duria added, “fewer people are choosing to go to college. Moreover, with Waukesha County Technical College offering associate degrees since January 2023, there simply are not enough students to sustain a separate two-year campus in Waukesha.” 

Similar sentiments were expressed in UWM’s press release following the announcement of the campus’ closure. “As state funding shrinks, many institutions like UWM are more reliant on tuition dollars,” read the press release. “As fewer traditional college-aged students choose to pursue degrees, universities in Wisconsin and across the country face unprecedented financial pressures. As such, they must make difficult choices to move forward from unsustainable operations.”

UWM and Waukesha County Technical College are planning to support affected students by developing the UWM University Center at WCTC. Through this program, students will be able to obtain an associate’s degree from WCTC and then continue their education at UWM in either bachelor’s or graduate’s programs, according to UWM’s press release. 

“UWM will support student transitions to WCTC over the next 16 months,” read the press release. “As enrollment grows at WCTC and the University Center, WCTC will seek to hire UWM employees.” 

As part of a larger transfer initiative, UWM announced in January that the university will guarantee admission and 60 transfer credits to graduates of WCTC, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College and Gateway Technical College.

Current students at the Waukesha branch are not expected to observe any drastic differences on campus until the school officially closes following 2025’s spring semester. “No changes are planned for the 2023-2024 or the 2024-2025 academic years,” wrote Duria. “Classes will be held as scheduled at the Waukesha campus.”

Along with current students, staff and faculty at the campus will be directly affected by the closure. “UWM is committed to supporting our College of General Studies employees as we work toward completing the closure of our branch campuses after the Spring 2025 semester,” read UWM’s press release. 

“The process for tenured faculty layoffs will follow Regent Policy Document 20-24. UWM has not yet issued a program discontinuance proposal to begin that process. UWM anticipates doing so over the next few weeks,” read the press release. “The closure of the UWM at Waukesha campus will require layoffs of staff and faculty, including tenured faculty. UWM will work closely with all involved to support employee transitions.” The press release estimates that over 100 employees at the branch will be affected. 

“UWM understands the significant impact this will have on our College of General Studies employees, and we will provide them with as many options as possible,” wrote Duria. “CGS employees will be considered for main campus roles as availability and funding allows.” Duria also detailed an incentive program for tenured faculty at the College of General Studies who are of retirement age, which has already been implemented by UWM.

The news of the campus’ closure comes shortly after the announcement of the discontinuation of UWM’s Washington County campus in West Bend, the university’s only other branch campus. The campus will be closing in June, following a 55% overall drop in enrollment since 2018, according to a UWM press release.

The future of the 86-acre campus in Waukesha is currently unknown. “The Universities of Wisconsin administration leases the UWM at Waukesha facilities from Waukesha County,” wrote Duria. “UWM will work closely with the county, the Universities of Wisconsin and local officials as the county evaluates the best future use of the facility.”