UW system hopes to help students catch up over summer for fall college start

Posted at 1:25 p.m. on March 12, 2021

The Brillion News

MADISON —The University of Wisconsin System will provide summer learning assistance to 1,400 additional incoming freshmen this year, more than doubling the number of admitted students receiving help through campus-based summer "bridge" programs. The UW said that summer bridge programs are critical to ensuring that high school graduates make a successful transition to university. While program details and offerings differ at each university, many of them have core areas in common, including academic skill-building, career exploration, mentoring, and student health and wellness.

The expansion of the program is intended to help students whose academic progress may have been hurt by COVID-related learning restrictions.

Summer bridge programs are now even more important for incoming students who have had to endure academic, financial, and emotional challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. UW System is seeding the expansion of summer bridge programs across the state with an initial $1.3 million investment in these important campus programs. The UW System will be seeking reimbursement with state revenue or federal COVID-19 relief funds and ongoing support for this expanded program. “Student success is critical to the UW System, and our work starts even before students step foot on campus,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “Wisconsin’s high school seniors have demonstrated remarkable resilience as the pandemic has presented additional challenges. We will be there to help those who need it this fall and in the coming years.” Program details and offerings will differ at each university campus, but most will have core areas in common, including academic skill-building, career exploration, mentoring, and student health and wellness.

In 2020, Wisconsin’s public universities assisted 1,189 students in their transitions to college. The proposed expansion would provide support to an additional 1,410 students.

In addition to the UW System contribution, universities are providing additional financial support with the UW System seeking $2.7 million over all to support the program.