Save the Fox Campus

Background

The University of Wisconsin has long roots in the Fox Valley tracing back to 1933. Years of enrollment growth resulted in the establishment of the UW Fox Valley campus on Midway Road in Menasha in 1959. From the onset the campus was a partnership. Winnebago and Outagamie Counties provided the land and buildings, and the University of Wisconsin provided the moveable equipment and personnel needed to operate the Fox campus.

The Fox campus became a source of pride in the community. Neighbors, friends, corporations, and community groups donated millions of dollars towards the Barlow Planetarium, the Weis Earth Science Museum, and the Communication Arts Center at the campus. Their vision and generosity did more than government alone would have done. These donor’s investments in the campus made the Fox campus one of the crown jewels in the UW and more importantly, enriched the quality of life in our community for area residents.

The Issue

In May of 2024, the UW System informed Winnebago and Outagamie Counties that it will terminate the partnership. UW classes at the campus will cease at the conclusion of the spring semester in 2025. This decision shocked the Counties, area residents, and long-time supporters of the campus. It is likely that the UW will remove all moveable equipment and there will be no UW personnel on site after June 30, 2025.

The termination of the partnership not only ends college classes at the campus but threatens other campus-based resources used by the community. Imagine a shuttered Barlow Planetarium, Weis Earth Science Museum, Communication Arts Center, Children’s Center, athletic facilities, and more.

What’s Happening Now?

As property owners, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties will ultimately decide what happens next for the campus property and its buildings. The counties are currently receiving and considering options for the next phase of the campus’s life.

Alarmed about the situation concerned citizens have formed working group, Save the Fox Campus, to increase community awareness of the significant impact of the issue and to assist the counties in developing a future for the campus. The working group is advisory and has no decision making authority.

Save the Fox Campus expects to:

• Increase public awareness of the campus change,
• Provide history, knowledge, and insights about the campus that may be useful to the counties,
• Help identify potential partners interested in assisting in the effort,
• Provide reactions and opinions about ideas that emerge,
• Keep the public informed throughout the process,
• Present any additional insights to Outagamie and Winnebago County leaders who will determine next steps and ultimately make decisions.

Clearly, the clock is ticking and helping the counties make well-informed decisions about the campus is in the best interest of all community residents.