University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee President Mark Mone announced Wednesday that he plans to step down next summer, after years of struggling with the UW System’s financial woes and facing criticism for his mishandling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus this spring.
Mone said in a post on the social media platform X that he will step down as leader of the University of Wisconsin’s second-largest campus effective July 1, 2025. He said he will take on a teaching role at the university’s business school. He did not elaborate on why he chose to step down.
Asked for an explanation, UW-Milwaukee spokeswoman Angelica Duria said in an email to The Associated Press, “This was a very personal decision for Chancellor Mone and this is the right time for him.”
Mone has been chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 2014.
He faced sharp criticism from Jewish groups in May after he struck a deal to end a pro-Palestinian campus protest. The days-long demonstration was part of a nationwide protest on university campuses against Israeli war in Gaza.
The university agreed to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, condemn the destruction of universities in Gaza, discuss the possibility of the UW-Milwaukee foundation cutting ties with Israeli companies, review the university’s study abroad programs and not issue fines or commit violations against student groups involved in the protest.
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Hillel Milwaukee and the Anti-Defamation League all accused Mone of pandering to the protesters.
University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman also pressed Mone on the deal, writing on X that campuses should remain neutral on positions and ensure that actions on campus have consequences.
Like all chancellors of Wisconsin’s universities, Mone has struggled with financial problems, largely caused by declining enrollment and relatively flat state aid.
Falling enrollment has forced UW officials to close or announce plans to close six two-year schools in the state since 2023. One of those schools is UW-Milwaukee’s Waukesha campus, which is scheduled to close after the spring 2025 semester.
Ten of the UW’s 13 four-year universities faced deficits last year, with UW-Milwaukee having the largest deficit at $18.8 million.
The school announced plans last January to sell the chancellor’s residence to close a projected $18.8 million deficit. The residence is still on the market for $1.2 million, according to a listing from Powers Realty Group. The school has also cut nearly 90 positions.
Financial data UW System officials presented to regents earlier this month showed that six universities are facing deficits in the coming academic year. UW-Milwaukee is expected to come out ahead.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said he plans to ask the Legislature for $800 million for the system in his next budget, but if Republicans retain control of both the Assembly and Senate in this fall’s elections, it’s almost certain they won’t give the system that much money.
In his statement, Mone praised his board for weathering a global pandemic while managing budget cuts and enrollment “challenges.”
“Thanks to the steadfast work of my predecessors, administrators, and our dedicated faculty, staff, and students, we have accomplished far more than our declining state support would allow,” he said. “We should all be pleased with what we have accomplished together and with the support of our community.”
Rothman said in a statement Wednesday that Mone has “consistently” promoted UW-Milwaukee.
“We owe a great deal to Mark for his dedication and look forward to his future efforts at UWM,” said Rothman.
