New collaborative degree program

Residents of Central Wisconsin now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in general studies without leaving their home communities in order to attend classes.

University of Wisconsin campuses in Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wausau have joined forces to offer a new general studies program which becomes the second collaborative agreement among the three institutions. They also jointly offer a degree in business administration. "Your time, your place " is the motto used to describe the shared programs.

The new curriculum was unveiled at an event at which UWSP Chancellor Tom George, Provost/Vice Chancellor Bill Meyer, Chancellor of the UW Colleges Bill Messner and Dean Carol McCart of Marshfield and Dean Dennis Massey of Wausau used the Compressed Video System, broadcast from the three locations, to announce the new program and to demonstrate how students will experience many of their classes. The curriculum will be taught by faculty from all three campuses through a combination of face-to-face meetings and distance education classes. Personal advising and access to other support services, such as library resources and computer laboratories, are important benefits of the program.

"We regard this program as a service to a population of learners who are considered place bound in the Central Wisconsin area," Meyer said. "It is an ideal choice for students who are already busy with jobs and families."

An earlier survey of two-year college students and employees of selected businesses in Marshfield, Wausau and Stevens Point indicated that 46 percent of student respondents were very interested in pursuing a regional bachelor's degree and 49 percent of students indicated they were very likely to enroll. The response of the employees yielded 42 percent very interested and 39 percent very likely to enroll.

Many of the respondents were interested in pursuing a degree that was not major specific. They expressed an interest in a flexible degree completion opportunity that would incorporate content from several different academic areas. The general degree program does just that. The curriculum emphasizes the skills of reading, writing, analysis and critical thinking and, according to planners, will provide a strong foundation for graduating students in careers or graduate studies.

"The program fulfills the needs of students for whom sound written and oral communication skills, basic computer knowledge and problem-solving skills are especially important. It will prepare students for an ever-changing workforce, " George said.

-30-