UWO campus closure puts community facilities in jeopardy
The closure of the UW-Oshkosh, Fox Valley campus threatens beloved community resources like the Barlow Planetarium, Weis Earth Science Museum, and arts spaces, with valuable collections and funding potentially relocating.
By Margaret Kroll
I’m writing to express my concern about the closure of the UW-Oshkosh, Fox Valley campus in June and what it might mean to the communities it serves.
The future of many popular facilities on the campus are in doubt. These include the Barlow Planetarium; the Communication Arts Center that provides space for art exhibits, theatrical and musical performances, fundraisers and public events, to name a few; the Weis Earth Science Museum; the Children’s Center and the Community Garden. All of the moveable equipment in all of those facities belongs to UW-Oshkosh and could be removed. The endowment set up by the Weis’ could shift to the Weis Ecology Center in New Jersey. Much of the museum’s collection could be taken away. It’s important to remember that the Barlow and the Weis work closely together.
I’ve personally enjoyed many of these facilities over the years and would hate to see them go. We once had a guided tour of the planets out on the lawn through high definition telescopes. Our grandchildren were mesmerized and I was thrilled to see Saturn’s rings.
Please visit the Save the Fox Campus’s website at savethefoxcampus.com to find out the details and how you can help.
