MILWAUKEE, WI – UWM announced contract talks last week with the Republican National Convention, offering 1,600 beds in the Sandburg Complex to host visitors, said Angelica Duria, UWM’s Director of Strategic Communications.
“The contract has not yet been executed,” said Duria on the status of these talks. If the contract were to be executed, Duria says that the funds generated would cover University Housing’s operational costs as standard with housing contracts.
The university did not comment on what part of the “operational costs” this seasonal contract would go to.
The RNC has offered $50 million in security grants to cities in the past, but state lawmakers are pushing for a 150% increase, to $75 million for this year’s convention, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The money going to the university would come from this contract, though concerns have risen that the convention is under six months away and contracts are still not official.
The Convention will be held July 15-18, 2024, hosted at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, just over three miles southwest of campus.
The university said they will continue to provide housing options to students throughout the RNC; nothing was mentioned about changing academic schedules during this time either.
Other colleges in the Milwaukee area are in talks as well but are still waiting for official signing procedures.
Marquette and MATC plan to cancel classes the week of the convention. Marquette announced they are actively working with officials to rent out dorms and event spaces. MATC has not released information on talks with the RNC or city officials.