A year later, Richland campus closure leaves a void in education and culture
KIMBERLY WETHAL
Updated
In the last 18 months, the Universities of Wisconsin has effectively closed five of the UW system’s branch campuses, most of which predominantly served rural students. The State Journal interviewed more than 90 people to discuss the effect of the closures.
Scott Walter, working on his laptop at Kelly's Coffee House in Richland Center, is a former biology professor at the Richland Center campus. He worries that rural students' eroding access to life-changing higher education will degrade the region's economy.
Janise Peterson, from left, Viki Campbell and Kim Jongquist chat at Kelly's Coffee House in Richland Center. Three of Campbell's children attended the now-shuttered UW campus in Richland Center, and she hosted exchange students who she subsequently visited abroad. "This community always welcomed international students," she said.
Richland Center City Council member Karin Tepley, at Main Street Hobby and Bike Shop, is one of three generations in her family to have attended UW-Platteville in Richland Center. She wants to focused on redeveloping the campus: "They're closing others which were much more well-attended than this one. So let it go, move forward."
Richland County is examining the quality of the buildings on the former UW-Platteville branch campus in Richland Center in a feasibility study. One building has been sold to the Richland School District, which opened a charter school.
Scott Walter, working on his laptop at Kelly's Coffee House in Richland Center, is a former biology professor at the Richland Center campus. He worries that rural students' eroding access to life-changing higher education will degrade the region's economy.
Richland Center City Council member Karin Tepley, at Main Street Hobby and Bike Shop, is one of three generations in her family to have attended UW-Platteville in Richland Center. She wants to focused on redeveloping the campus: "They're closing others which were much more well-attended than this one. So let it go, move forward."
Janise Peterson, from left, Viki Campbell and Kim Jongquist chat at Kelly's Coffee House in Richland Center. Three of Campbell's children attended the now-shuttered UW campus in Richland Center, and she hosted exchange students who she subsequently visited abroad. "This community always welcomed international students," she said.
Richland County is examining the quality of the buildings on the former UW-Platteville branch campus in Richland Center in a feasibility study. One building has been sold to the Richland School District, which opened a charter school.
