University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh or UWO) is a public university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs.

History

thumb|left|220px|Oshkosh Normal School in 1885

In 1871, Oshkosh State Normal School, a teacher-training school was established. It became the first school of this type in the nation to have a kindergarten; Professor Rose C. Swart introduced practice teaching in 1872. Tuition was originally free to all who declared their intention to teach in Wisconsin public schools.

Fire destroyed the main campus building in 1916; Dempsey Hall replaced it in 1918. The institution changed its name to Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1927 and Wisconsin State College-Oshkosh in 1951. Graduate school was added in 1963. In 1971, the institution merged into the University of Wisconsin System, becoming the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. The university has pledged a campus goal of being carbon-neutral by 2030.

The University of Wisconsin System dissolved the University of Wisconsin Colleges in 2018 and their campuses became affiliated with area universities in the system. University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh formerly operated satellite campuses in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus (formerly UW-Fond du Lac) and Menasha, Wisconsin as University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus (formerly UW-Fox Valley).

In 2023, the university faced significant financial challenges. State legislators had imposed a tuition freeze through 2021, enrollment had declined, and the state legislature cut the university system's budget by $32 million (the amount equal to what they believed was previously spent on diversity and equity programs and services throughout the system). In response, the university planned to address its $18 million deficit by requiring all employees to take furlough days and eliminating 200 non-faculty jobs. In April 2024, the faculty responded with a vote of no confidence in then-Chancellor Andrew Leavitt's leadership.

Campus

Four locations on the campus have been listed on Registered Historic Places.

Oshkosh State Normal School Historic District

Three buildings on the original campus comprise this historic district. Dempsey Hall serves as the administration center of the campus. Harrington Hall hosts geology classes. Swart Hall, completed in 1928, is used by the mathematics, social work, and sociology departments and houses the Center for Economic Education. It was originally used as a lab school where student teachers taught kindergarten through ninth grade students.

file:HarringtonUWOshkosh.jpg|Harrington Hall

file:SwartHallUWOshkosh.jpg|Swart Hall

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