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.
Opinion
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. Tens of thousands of us were able to better our working lives because we had a place to learn In Wyoming. The American Dream truly is possible because of the University of Wyoming.
Today, we are witnessing attacks on many Wyoming institutions. 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 —our tax structure, 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 a political football, especially for those who haven’t taken time to learn about what these “gut UW cuts” would do.
UW is one way that 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 from 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 comprised of dedicated Wyoming citizens. These individuals work hard to provide all students with the 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 to arbitrarily cut a 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. With no explanation and no public input, the committee 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, Joint Appropriations arbitrarily exempted two more entities from cuts, again without explanation. These are unthoughtful cuts to 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 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 cuts in UW funding, they need to learn something about the amazing and inspirational programs that could be reduced or eliminated by this action.
UW professors and students have a long list of accomplishments that have substantially improved the Wyoming economy and quality of life. To name a few:
- 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.
- Using AI to predict congestive heart failure in cattle to alleviate ranchers’ losses.
But, of course, the Joint Appropriations Committee made no attempt to have any dialog with UW and thus is unaware of the programs that 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 closer to 30%, and only two of the 12 members of the Joint Appropriations Committee are UW graduates. 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 at War Memorial Stadium on a sunny autumn day; it’s a unifying, uplifting experience.
To those legislators who are “picking winners and losers” at UW, we say please restore the funding, take the time to learn about this beloved institution and refrain from meaningless slogans aimed at 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 email them. Help them realize the value it adds to our state. and remember that value when you exercise your right to vote.
Be proud if UW while you still can. When the freedom caucus clowns are done with it there will not be much, if anything, of which to be proud.
Ms. Kite – thank you for your service, but I find it hard to believe you can’t determine where these attacks on WY institutions are coming from. I’ll give you a hint: it ain’t the WY Dems.
You are correct, Mr. Drexel. And it won’t end until Wyoming admits that it is national Republican groups pushing these changes via our state Republican freedom caucus, to align with their national agenda. Doesn’t this go against the “rugged individual” ethos we claim in Wyoming? Restore the funding for Wyoming’s only university.
Our former Chief Justice is, as always, right on the money. Those of us who no longer live in Wyoming are watching in horror as this bunch of thoughtless legislators take over not only our university but so much of the state’s future. It’s demoralizing. To read this article and see a thoughtful and serious response to the growing number of red flags is encouraging.
As the university looks to find a new president- someone who has the brains and history and guts to take on these truly dangerous factions, it might be wise for the University to talk to Justice Kite about taking the job. Wouldn’t hurt to have a brilliant UW alum and Wyoming native in charge of, and defending, one of the state’s most valuable resources… it’s university.
I used to be proud of UW and Wyoming, especially since my family has been in Wyoming since before UW was created. But not anymore since the Freedumb Yahoos came to power.
thank you, justice kite. you are a fine example of a UW education!
Nice work, Marilyn. I’m proud of UW and its role in shaping Wyoming’s future.
Well said, Marilyn! There seems to be resentment of public education and knowledge from the “freedom” caucus folks in our legislature. I especially related to a sentence in your article. “These are unthoughtful cuts to a place where thinking is the point.”
It’s no secret where the attacks are coming from- that idiot in the white house. The citizens of Wyoming are very weak. They -we- allow it to happen. Once again, much of the damage is from the fake christians trying to control us.