Robert Cramer has been promoted to vice chancellor for Administrative Services at UW–Platteville.

Cramer previously worked as assistant chancellor for Administrative Services. His responsibilities have increased significantly since he started at UW–Platteville, precipitating the title change.

Cramer’s salary will remain the same.

As vice chancellor for Administrative Services, Cramer is responsible for the supervision of Human Resources, Facilities Management, Financial Services, Internal Audit, Campus Planning, Office of Information Technology, Media Technology Services, Auxiliary Services and Campus Police. The university legislative liaison also reports to Cramer.

“Anyone who comes into senior leadership at a university has to be in tune with the fiscal state of the university,” said Dennis J. Shields, UW–Platteville chancellor. “When I came for my interview on campus in February 2010, one of my personal concerns was, what is the financial leadership like? From the moment I first sat down to talk with Rob one-on-one during that meeting, I said, ‘I think this guy is really good.’”

Cramer began at UW–Platteville in August 2007. Prior to that, he was administrator of the Division of State Facilities in the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

“It is important to have someone who is respected in those quarters and there’s no question that Rob is well liked and very well respected by state legislators, by senior administrators in the Department of Administration,” said Shields. “That’s a tremendous asset.

“On a personal level, he has a very calm personality. When you talk about money, people get heated up. Having someone calm who can identify what the problems are and work through them is important.”

As the university moves forward and has to deal with budgetary issues and concerns, Cramer and the chancellor will deal with the many issues together. “What I most appreciate about Rob is that he and I are on the same page philosophically in the effort to be transparent,” said Shields. “He’s a believer, as I am, that you have to be as transparent as possible and it is my philosophy that decisions need to be made by people closest to the issues.”

“UW–Platteville is a remarkable place to be,” said Cramer. “The people here are dedicated to students and each other, and while we face challenges, we also have some exciting opportunities for our future. Each day I am impressed and excited by what our students, faculty and employees are doing and the impact they have on the region and state.”