Education
UW-La Crosse alumni get appeal from chancellor to lobby for science center
UW-La Crosse is sending out an appeal to its alumni — not for donations but to gather support for the Prairie Springs Science Center project.
Chancellor Dr. James Beeby sent a letter to university alumni, asking them to urge state lawmakers to push for construction of Phase 2 of the science center.
Phase 1 of the project opened seven years ago, but plans for the second building have been put off by Republicans ever since.
Beeby’s letter asks past UW-L students to phone, email or visit their state reps before Memorial Day weekend.
The chancellor recommends using a tool called “Who Represents Me?” that’s used by legislators, to anyone who wants to contact state reps.
Beeby says the legislative session is reaching “critical negotiations,” and the university needs help to “get this vital project over the finish line.”
During a meeting in March, the state building commission deadlocked on several state projects, including money for Prairie Springs.
The project initially was going to cost around $90 million but has since jumped to over $200 million.
walden
May 14, 2025 at 3:46 pm
To this day I have never seen an explanation and justification for spending $200 million on this project.
One local (Dem) legislator said “we deserve this project” which sounds like typical Leftist welfare-speak. If the student body had the choice between a $200 million tuition reduction or this project I am pretty confident they would choose the former.