Madison College proposes plan to aid South Madison community

President Daniels introduces the history and background of the new education program. (Claire VanValkenburg/Madison Commons)

Madison Area Technical College is proposing two education recommendations that would affect both the college’s downtown property and the South campus.  

The first recommendation suggests ground leasing MATC’s Downtown Education Center property for a minimum of 50 years beginning on July 1, 2018. The second recommendation proposes serving the South Madison community by extending square footage on Villager Mall, building on existing programs, and exploring new transportation options. The second recommendation would take effect for a minimum of 2 years beginning in July 2017. 

“If we could extend our academic programs and services to this community in the South,” President Jack E. Daniels of MATC remarked in a letter about the recommendations, “there is the distinct probability that quality of life and economic development enhancements can and will increase.”

President Daniels and supporters of the recommendations state that the South side of Madison is suffering from large amounts of poverty and it is within the mission of MATC to provide this community with opportunities and education.

MATC hosted five forums throughout the month of April to hear community voices regarding  implications of each recommendation.  At the forum on Tuesday, April 12th, teachers of the Downtown Education Center, parents, students, and real estate agents explained how the education plan  if implemented, will have an effect on the community as a whole.

MATC students established “Forum Ground Rules." (Claire VanValkenburg/Madison Commons)

Community members against the recommendation argue the DTEC is valuable because students are currently attending this location in stable numbers. Attendees pointed out that the programs at DTEC are prosperous, and there is no reason to take them away from the downtown area. They called for a more creative solution because the issues are “much more complicated than raising a building.”

“While some may say it’s not legally binding, it’s morally binding . . . the moral obligation remains [to keep downtown campus],” a Madison real estate agent stated.

“I think everybody agrees, we need to help that area of poverty. But, why aren’t people going to school now [on the South side]? Is it just because there’s not a building? I think there’s more complicated issues,” the local real estate agent said. “Find a way to do both.”

The supporters of the recommendations were equally enthusiastic.  They reiterated the mission of MATC, and reminded those against the recommendations that helping an impoverished community is more important than a building or a location.

“As long as this college has been here, it has not reversed this really toxic racial achievement gap in Madison that is horrifying,” Luise, a local forum attendee stated, “We have a moral imperative to start serving that area [the South side] of Madison.”

“If I come away with anything from this conversation it’s that I want to speak out for the work we need to be doing for outreach training centers, for development centers, to be part of this city’s healing, it’s an embarrassment, and we have a chance to do something about it,” a  community member stated. “We’re missing what’s really important.”

President Daniels and his colleagues will continue these forums until May 4th, when the board will decide and announce their decision at Truax in room B3252/3243 at 5:30pm.