Campus Future
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
2026 marks a major transition for our campus which has dramatically impacted the lives of thousands of people over the past 56 years. Friends of the Campus has created this webpage to be a source of reliable information for our community.
Classes are still in session for the 126 students currently enrolled at Boo U. Friends of the Campus is standing strong beside them, providing scholarships and enhancing student activities throughout the year. Campus Director Dr. Matthew Fencl shares, "The end of Universities of Wisconsin higher education at Boo U is near, but it is not yet here. We will continue to educate and inspire through Spring 2026, and I cannot express greater appreciation to our wonderful faculty and staff for accepting this news not only with grace, but with a virtuous commitment to the campus and our students through the next 6 months."
Sauk County, on behalf of the Baraboo Sauk County Campus property owners—including the City of Baraboo and Sauk County— have contracted a consulting firm to create a redevelopment plan. The planning process will seek public comments through a survey and listening sessions. Their goal is to have the plan completed by June 2026.
FAQ
Who Owns the Campus?
The campus is jointly owned by Sauk County and the City of Baraboo.
What Is the Campus Commission?
The Campus Commission is a group of representatives from the city and the county who make decisions about the Baraboo Sauk County Campus.
More information by Melanie Platt-Gibson: The Baraboo Sauk County Campus Commission was established on July 22, 1969 to oversee the jointly owned campus. This formation came after the campus buildings were completed and the initial classes began, serving as a vital link between local government entities and the UW Board of Regents.
The commission has five members: two from the Baraboo City Council, two from the Sauk County Board of Supervisors and one at-large member from Sauk County. Ex-officio membersinclude the Mayor of Baraboo, the Sauk County Board Chair and the Campus Director.
Primary responsibilities include managing overall operations, preparing and overseeing annual budgets for proper maintenance and insurance coverage. They also guide custodial policies and consider proposals for development, ensuring a consistent forum for discussion, planning and decision-making.
Current members include Scott Sloan and Steve Hause, Baraboo City Council. Bryant Hazard and Brandon Lohr, Sauk County Board and Mike Sitton, Town of Merrimac.
Was the Campus Already Closed?
No; however, the academic offerings had been consolidated to one building serving just over 100 students.
Would the State Pay for Redevelopment?
The Act 250 Grant allows former UW branch campuses that will no longer be academic to apply for up to 2 million dollars. This money can be used to cover planning and demolition costs.
From the county RFP: Provisions from the 2023 Act 250 of the Wisconsin State Legislature created a continuing General-Purpose Revenue (GPR) fund and appropriation to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to support branch campus redevelopment grants. Act 250 reserved $20,000,000 GPR in 2023-24 in the Joint Committee on Finance supplemental appropriation for this purpose. Act 250 requires WEDC to award grants of up to $2,000,000 to political subdivisions (a city, village, town or county) for costs including planning costs and demolition costs, associated with the redevelopment of buildings or other sites owned by the political subdivision on a branch campus or former branch campus "that are or will no longer be used for academic purposes.” The grant could be utilized by any of the former branch campuses (former college campuses) that were partnered with a university in the UW System restructuring plan approved by the Higher Learning Commission on June 28, 2018, regardless of whether the site is currently used for academic purposes. This includes the campuses in Baraboo, Barron, Fond du Lac, Fox Cities, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marshfield, Richland, Rock, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha. The grants may be used to fund activities that contribute to the overall economic improvement and enhancement of the community, including activities that facilitate job creation, workforce development, small business support, housing or public infrastructure improvement.
Who is Friends of the Campus?
We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization which proudly serves as the scholarship foundation for the Baraboo Sauk County Campus, as we have for over 50 years.
What Will Happen To FOTC Funds?
Money donated to the Friends will stay here locally, ready to support students in the future.
We are standing strong beside current students, providing scholarships and enhancing student activities throughout the year. Please know that the Friends of the Campus is completely independent from the University of Wisconsin system. Money donated to the Friends will stay here, ready to support students in the future.