The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee would receive $8 million to bolster its research programs under a new funding plan for the city of Milwaukee forwarded by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The funding for UWM is part of an overall $80 million funding proposal by the governor.,”

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The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee would receive $8 million to bolster its research programs under a new funding plan for the city of Milwaukee announced by Gov. Jim Doyle.

The funding for UWM is part of an overall $80 million, two-year proposal by the governor. The Growing Milwaukee for Wisconsin's Future initiative will be included in Doyle's budget, which he will introduce to the state legislature during his budget address tonight.

If approved, the $8 million UWM receives in the proposal would fund the hiring of new faculty members primarily in the science and engineering fields, according to Tom Luljak, UWM vice chancellor for university relations. Recruiting new faculty members would help build the university's research infrastructure, Luljak said.

"From our standpoint, we think this is a tremendous sign of support from the governor to make UWM a driving force for economic development here in southeast Wisconsin," he said.

Doyle's proposal for further research at UWM is part of his overall plan to strengthen the regional economy. During his state of the state address on Jan. 30, Doyle said research at UWM would link with research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. UWM research would also help build partnerships with leading health care corporations, he said.

"It will cement our status as one of America's leaders in scientific and medical research," Doyle said.

Luljak said UWM's concentration on science and engineering would have the greatest potential to positively impact the business community and the state economy.

He said hiring new faculty members would increase the potential of receiving additional research money from federal or private grants. Currently, most research money at UWM has come from reallocated funds, he said. In addition, faculty members compete for funds under the university's Research Growth Initiative.

A quarter of the university's budget comes from state general purpose funding, but funding to state universities across the country has decreased during the past decade, Luljak said. However, he said the trend started to reverse during the past year.

"Wisconsin is now joining the many other states that have returned to a greater proportion of state funding for higher education," Luljak said. "We are deeply appreciative of what the governor is recommending (to the legislature). It will build on the investment that already exists on campus."

Aaron Schramm, student president of UWM's chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, said recruiting new faculty would contribute to a better education for students.

"With the increased quality of education and facilities, it would really help with the economic outlook and would hopefully keep a lot of students in the Milwaukee area after they graduate," he said.

Also under Doyle's plan, the UW System Board of Regents would receive $200,000 to look into creating a School of Public Health at UWM.

The board has explored the possibility of building the school, though the actual school hasn't been approved, Luljak said. Estimates indicate the school would take six to eight years to build and would need $8 million a year to operate.

Luljak said the school would combine the resources of UWM's health science, nursing and social welfare schools. The new school would primarily focus on prevention in a city that has "one of the worst records when it comes to measuring the health of its population," Luljak said.

"Whether you live in Milwaukee or Marinette, the future of our state's largest metropolitan area affects you," Doyle said during the state of the state address. "For Wisconsin to thrive, we need a strong and growing Milwaukee."

For Doyle's plan to move forward, he'll have to convince legislators outside Milwaukee that a strong Milwaukee equals a strong Wisconsin.

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