A key part of the system's vision for the future, not surprisingly, concerns funding. Fifteen years ago, officials say, 10 percent of state tax dollars were allocated to the UW System. Today, that figure is closer to 8.9 percent.
Still, Reilly declined Thursday to attach a dollar figure to the system's request for stable funding. That likely will be identified following Board of Regents meetings later this month and next, after considerable additional discussion. The goal now, officials say, is to ask lawmakers and candidates to consider the value of higher education, not just unto itself but in the larger context of economic development and creating and maintaining vibrant Wisconsin communities.
