Fox Cities News

The $137.5 million transformation of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Polk Library and a landmark academic plan reshaping UWO colleges and programs into a new, more learner-centered, career-focused structure both advanced with Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents support Thursday.

The renovation and rebuild of nearly 60-year-old Polk is featured as one of the major projects in the Regents’ 2025-2027 state biennial budget capital budget requests.

The UWO academic restructuring work, which aims to save UWO $1.75 million in administrative costs, is well underway but required the endorsement of the Regents.

“We are grateful to the Board of Regents for their support and confidence in UWO,” Chancellor Andy Leavitt said. “We’re ready to work hard to ensure the Polk project earns the state legislature’s and Governor’s support. Likewise, we are committed to the transformation of our academic structure and delivery of an even more relevant and powerful educational experience for students.”

Smaller, modern Polk revitalization prioritized in Regents’ capital budget plans

The capital project is yet another example of UWO’s commitment to renovate-first-rebuild-as-necessary approach to modernizing the Oshkosh campus. UWO has only added one entirely new freestanding academic building to the Oshkosh campus—Sage Hall—over the last half-century, working with the Universities of Wisconsin and state to invest in renovating several others.

A hybrid renovation-and-new-construction plan will transform Polk, modernizing the current building’s 1967 wing through renovation and demolishing and rebuilding the complex’s north wing. The project addresses years of water penetration and outdated, failing mechanical systems; more than 50 percent of Polk’s rated building components are designated in “Poor” condition according to a late-May predesign report. The project also will provide UWO and the broader community a complex that houses print collections, distinctive local and state archives, and a digital and social hub, all more accommodating to student, faculty, staff, alumni, and community member study and research.

“The Polk Learning Commons plan reminds us that as libraries transform in shape and usage, they remain the beating heart of any university—havens for learning, collaboration and research,” Leavitt said. “We’re ready to work with state officials in the months ahead and make the case for this much-needed investment in UWO.”

Upon completion, the revitalized Polk Learning Commons will total 163,000 square feet—a footprint smaller than existing Polk. The commons will be brighter, more sustainable, efficiently using energy and space.

The features and hybrid design approach are responsive to today’s UWO learners' preferences while reflecting sustainability goals within the UWO2030 Strategic Plan.

The commons will integrate entrances on every side of the building; align Dempsey Hall with central mall walkways; incorporate a new café-like “social collector space” on its north side referred to as "the porch"; feature a multi-use space on its northwestern second-floor corner.

Learner-centered UWO academic restructuring earns Regents’ approval

The Board of Regents also endorsed UWO’s innovative academic restructuring proposal that realigns programs strengthens connections to Wisconsin career clusters while cutting administrative costs.

The new UWO academic model will shift from four colleges to three within six new “schools.”

The restructuring aligns UWO's distinctive academic units with nationally recognized career clusters already infused into Wisconsin's K-12 school systems. The new schools group existing programs making it easier for students to explore majors without slowing down their time achieving degrees.

The new colleges include:

- The College of Business Arts & Communication: School of Business; School Media Arts & Communication.

- The College Public Affairs & Education: School Public Affairs & Global Engagement; School Education & Human Services.

- The College Nursing Health Professions & STEM: School Science Technology Engineering Mathematics; School Nursing Health Professions.

“A team faculty staff have worked incredibly hard developing new structure offering better educational experience achieving considerable savings outside classroom,” Provost Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Ed Martini said. “We appreciate support Regents Education Committee full board propelling us toward implementing plan fully realizing what we call ‘UWO 2.0.’”