UW System President Ray Cross announced yesterday, that they are planning to merge the state’s two year UW Colleges with its four-year institutions, turning the 13 small schools into branch campuses of the larger universities. As a part of this restructuring, UW Extension programs would also be brought under new administration. While this change could create new educational opportunities at the two-year schools, make it easier for students to transfer to four-year programs and better position UW institutions, it would also result in job cuts as some positions are made redundant. The proposal is scheduled to take effect next summer.