The Role of the VCFA
The Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA) works directly with the Chancellor and Provost and serves as the chief financial officer of UW-Madison. The Vice Chancellor is responsible for a wide range of administrative, budgetary, student-life and other functions. Campus units reporting to the VCFA can be found by clicking on the Departments link above.
In addition, the Vice Chancellor represents UW-Madison on budgetary and administrative matters with state government, UW System Administration, the Board of Regents, the private sector and the general public. The VCFA also maintains a consultative and collaborative working relationship with faculty, staff and student governance groups and committees in program and policy development.
Biographical Summary of Rob Cramer
Robert Cramer began his appointment as the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration in May 2021. He has extensive experience in higher education with the University of Wisconsin System and in state government at the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
At UW-Madison, Cramer serves as executive sponsor for major campus and system projects, including Procure-to-Pay (P2P) and Administrative Transformation Program (ATP). He is committed to an engaged, diverse, and inclusive campus community and ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff flourish.
Cramer was Vice President for Administration at the University of Wisconsin System before coming to UW-Madison in November 2020 as associate vice chancellor (interim) for Facilities Planning and Management. As Vice President, his accomplishments included leading the UW Restructuring Project, establishing the UW System Office of Information Security, sponsoring the System-wide Digital Learning Environment project, and launching the Enterprise Risk Management program.
At UW-Platteville, Cramer was the Vice Chancellor for Administration. He directed the development of new residence halls through public/private partnerships, led campus recovery from a tornado in June 2014, strengthened financial modeling and planning, and promoted transparency and engagement in institutional budgeting.
Cramer served as Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Building Commission and Administrator of the Division of Facilities in the Wisconsin Department of Administration. He directed the development of several state biennial capital budgets and oversaw capital projects including the renovation of Camp Randall, the construction of Microbial Sciences, and the public/private University Square project.
The vice chancellor for finance and administration is UW-Madison’s chief financial officer and is responsible for the overall supervision of the university’s administrative and auxiliary functions, including budget, facilities planning and management, business services, human resources, police services and housing. In collaboration with the Provost, the vice chancellor also oversees data management, information technology and strategic consulting. The vice chancellor serves as a senior adviser to the Chancellor and Provost on financial and administrative policies and procedures.
Our Mission
Provide community focused, campuswide services that support and inspire excellence at UW–Madison.