The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is set to receive a big boost if Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed $240 million over six years for various research, expansion and construction projects at the university passes.

The Great Lakes WATER Institute is among the top priorities for the proposed funds.,”

• Gov. Jim Doyle proposes $240 million for UWM
• Great Lakes WATER Institute top priority for funds
• UWM students to benefit with more graduate programs on and off campus

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is set to receive a big boost if Gov. Jim Doyle's $240 million proposal passes. The money would be paid over six years and would go to various research, expansion and construction projects at the university.

Carla Vigue, a Governor's office spokeswoman, said the proposal was part of the governor's Milwaukee Initiative. The proposal was announced Monday as part of Gov. Doyle's budget plan.

"The $240 million will be given to UWM, which has already set aside certain priorities and projects," Vigue said. "The initiative will give Milwaukee, and Wisconsin as a whole, a research and economic boost."

The Great Lakes WATER Institute is among the top priorities for the proposed funds, according to Vigue. The institute would be reconstructed and its primary research vessel, the NEEKSAY, would be replaced. New research facilities for a new graduate-level School for Freshwater Sciences would also be built.

Val Klump, director and senior scientist at the Great Lakes Water Institute, said the project would go a long way in boosting the institute.

"The new institute will offer graduate programs, but there will be lots of undergraduate courses," Klump said. "A chemistry major could minor in freshwater sciences, or even an economics major."

Students would have access to state-of-the-art research equipment in new classroom and research facilities on and off campus.

Freshwater sciences isn't the only department anticipating improvements stemming from the proposal. Other projects include a new engineering campus in Wauwatosa and new buildings for the School of Public Health.

"It's pretty broad really," Klump said.

UW-Milwaukee students will benefit from new classrooms on campus and satellite campuses and research facilities off-campus.

Adam Robillard, a sophomore engineering major at UWM, said he's excited for the prospects of the new engineering campus.

"I might be a graduate student by the time that's done," Robillard said. "I'm just glad to see we're starting to be taken seriously."

The $240 million would be the largest investment the state has made in the university since it began more than 50 years ago.

"It's really cool, it kind of makes you feel more legitimate," said Jordan Hinke, a UWM sophomore.

Klump said the replacement costs for the research vessel would cost $16 to $20 million, but was unsure of the costs of other facilities relating to the institute. The timeframe for the reconstruction is around the same six years as the funding, Klump added.

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