The Fond du Lac County executive says there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding a plan unveiled last week that would merge the state’s two year colleges with its four year campuses in an effort to boost enrollment. Under the plan, UW Fond du Lac would become part of UW Oshkosh. County executive Al Buechel says he wants to know what the county’s role would be in the future when it comes to maintenance of the campus? The county has invested millions of dollars over the years renovating the campus, most recently building a new student housing facility. He says any future capital projects are on hold until that situation becomes more clear. “In our case UW-FDL is owned and maintained by Fond du Lac County. What does that mean if UW Fond du Lac becomes part of UW Oshkosh,” Buechel asks. “How does that impact student housing.” Buechel says he’s been assured that at least immediately tuition at the two year schools will not change. Buechel says enrollment at UW Fond du Lac is down 34 percent since 2010. Buechel says his concern is the long term future of the Fond du Lac campus.
