A Statement from Chancellor Ford | UW System Transfer Policy Revisions and the Guiding Principles for Returning to Campus

UW-Parkside Campus Community:

Yesterday, Tommy G. Thompson addressed his first meeting of the Board of Regents Thursday as interim President of the UW System and said getting students back on campus in a way that is safe for students, faculty, staff, and the university community is a top priority. The UW System Board of Regents shared several important pieces of information during this meeting. You can find a full summary of the meeting here.

Inter-System Transfer Agreement

The first item of note is a policy implementation related to transferring course credits. Regents approved an Agreement and Joint Statement on the Inter-System Transfer between the Wisconsin Technical College System and the University of Wisconsin System.

This new agreement positions us to improve the transfer of credits and to better serve an increasing number of transfer students. UW-Parkside values the partnerships we have with Gateway Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Waukesha County Technical College and looks forward to expanding curricular agreements with the Tribal Colleges and Independent Colleges and Universities. 

This new inter-system cooperation seeks to optimize the portability of credits and credentials between the systems by revising and increasing the minimum number of core general education courses required to be transferable from 30 credits up to 72 credits under the Universal Course Transfer Agreement. It also promotes and improves program-to-program articulation.

The agreement is in response to the provisions of the 2019 Wisconsin Act 46 and Wis. Stats. 36.31. The Wisconsin Tribal Colleges and Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities will also be invited to participate in the agreement.

Update on UW plans for Fall 2020

The Board of Regents unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a set of principles related to the return of students, faculty, staff, and visitors to UW System campuses this fall. The principles call for UW campus leaders to prioritize the health and safety in their decision-making, and for campuses to adopt policies or protocols to reduce the spread of COVID-19, considering public health recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state/county health departments. These recommendations include:

• Requiring the use of face coverings in all indoor public spaces and strongly encouraging their use outside when physical distancing is not possible;
• Physical distancing, where feasible;
• Frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer;
• Self-monitoring daily for symptoms of COVID-19.

The Ranger Restart Committee has been working tirelessly to develop a thorough plan for our phased return to on-campus operations. We’ve been implementing safety measures such as putting occupancy limits in common areas, only allowing assigned residents and staff in residence halls, enforcing social distancing guidelines and requiring that face coverings be worn at all times on campus. The Provost, Deans, and Faculty are finalizing the fall course schedule and we will provide information about classroom modifications and program delivery methods later in July. We truly appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we make plans to deliver our academic mission and provide students with quality education, no matter what form that will take. Safety undoubtedly remains our utmost priority, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support students, faculty, and staff. 

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to UW-Parkside! Be Well! 

Debbie