Most Wyoming citizens are proud of our state.
Whether you are part of a generational Cowboy State family or new to this great place, whether you came to retire, or for work, whether you came for the vistas, the strong community or the solitude, Wyoming gives you all that and more.
You are here, so you must like something about Wyoming. Maybe you are proud of its unique character, the neighborly support of those that need help, the opportunities for individual growth and independence, the educational opportunities, the institutions created by our Constitution, and the ethic of working together to improve the lives of all our citizens.
For thousands of us, who were able to better our working lives because we had a place to learn, the fact of that in Wyoming a truly American Dream is possible – as evidenced by tens of thousands of residents – because of the University of Wyoming.
Today, we hear attacks. Where all these attacks are coming from is a puzzle, but they are likely driven by out of state forces that know little about our history and public assets.
While there are many targets of attacks, such as our tax structure (with the lowest taxes in the country), our health care system, the funding of our school system, and our constitutionally created judicial system to name a few, let’s focus on the recent attacks on UW.
The Wyoming Territorial Legislature created UW in 1886, even before statehood, and in 1890, it was enshrined in our state constitution with the explicit description of the broad education it is required to deliver.
For 136 years, it has provided a quality education driven by the needs of Wyoming people and industries. That has included health, business, engineering, agriculture, education, law, natural resources, earth sciences, history and the arts.
It is a public asset. It is not to be your political football, especially when you likely haven’t taken time to learn yourself about what these ‘gut UW cuts’ would do.
UW is one way that a way young, old and those in between can learn so that they can afford their future lives and contribute to society.
Have beautiful children and be part of new generations of Wyoming residents.
UW is a tool for many to reach their American Dream. And the interwoven educational opportunities with our fantastic community college system is a vibrant point of success to help communities in every corner of Wyoming.
UW is bound by checks and balances. It is governed by an unpaid board of trustees made up of dedicated Wyoming citizens.
These individuals are work hard to provide all students a cost effective education they need to be productive citizens.
It is the legislature’s role to provide the necessary funding to support delivery of that education.
There has always been, and always will be, a healthy tension between UW and the legislature over funding. However, the recent action of the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) to arbitrarily cut an historically large amount gave no explanation why.
Most concerning was that this happened without the real-time input from the people of this state.
Regular citizens did not get to comment on the cuts. New generations of students did not have a voice in the decision of the cuts.
With no explanation and no public input, JAC unilaterally exempted two colleges from any cuts, leaving other critical colleges and programs to bear the entire weight of the loss of funding.
After an outcry from UW and the public, JAC arbitrarily exempted two more entities from cuts, but again, without explanation.
Unthoughtful cuts of a place where thinking is the point. What an unsettling irony. And to further this sad irony, all of this comes at a time when we all bemoan our young people are leaving our state in significant numbers foretelling a waning economy.
What happened was this: The vast majority of Wyoming’s voters had NO voice and NO say in the ‘gut UW cuts’.
Before any legislator votes on the proposed budget with these draconian gut-cuts in UW funding, they need to learn something about the amazing and inspirational programs that could be reduced or eliminated by them.
UW professors and students have a long list of accomplishments that have substantially improved the Wyoming economy and quality of life including: cutting edge research on the flow of hydrocarbons underground enhancing oil and gas production and generating millions of dollars in private investment, research regarding proteins that will improve human health, study of deer migration aimed at saving Western Wyoming herds, experiential training in entrepreneurship that has resulted in new startup businesses, streamlining nursing curriculum to address the nursing shortage in Wyoming, and using AI to predict congestive heart failure in cattle to alleviate ranchers’ losses, just to name a few.
But, of course, the JAC made no attempt to have any dialog with UW and thus is unaware of the programs could be affected by its drastic action.
Why is it that these members of the legislature don’t know much about UW?
One reason might be that as recently as 10 years ago over 50% of the legislators were UW grads. Today the number is close to only 30%.
Possibly none of the JAC members are UW grads? While a few may have driven through campus, likely none have spent considerable, thoughtful time talking with students or professors about their experiences at UW, attended inspirational events like the Distinguished Alumna Award ceremonies or sports events and academic competitions where students demonstrate their knowledge gained at UW.
Or maybe join 25,000 Wyoming folks the War Memorial Stadium on a sunny autumn day with one common goal…it’s a unifying, uplifting experience.
To those legislators who are “picking winners and losers” at UW, we say please restore the funding, and take the time to learn about this beloved institution and refrain from meaningless slogans aimed its destruction.
You will learn it is an institution we all can be proud of for its past accomplishments and for what it will provide for our children and our state in the future.
To all of you Wyoming citizens who have been proud of UW for decades, and generations, now is the time to stand up for UW for all it has given to you and your families.
Let your legislators know what UW has done for you before the budget is considered next week. Here is a link to be able to email them.
Help them realize the value it adds to our state. And remember that value when you exercise your right to vote.
Marilyn Kite is an attorney and holds a BA degree and a JD degree from University of Wyoming. She also served as a justice on the Wyoming Supreme Court for 15 years and as Chief Justice for four of those years.
