The Leader

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved a measure Aug. 17 that would attempt to curtail the dramatic tuition increases of the past 20 years.

The tuition measure was part of a larger proposal on behalf of the Board of Regents entitled “A Growth Agenda for Wisconsin” which was largely concerned with lowering the overall cost and accessibility of Wisconsin universities not just lowering tuition costs. Other measures included in the proposal were aimed at expanding student enrollment, meeting state demands for education teachers, nurses, engineers and health care professionals and increasing research ability and pursuits at various campuses including UWM.

Citing various concerns including decreased enrollment of low-income students, cuts to financial aid at the federal level, and the cost of tuition rising faster than inflation in the past 20 years Gov. Jim Doyle sent a letter to the UW Board of Regents in Aug. asking that they consider a plan to lower the increase in tuition rates over the next few years.

The plan would work towards keeping tuition lowered relative to inflation and the overall budget will seek to acquire an additional $120 million to accomplish this measure which is $90 million more than it was two years earlier. The next step is for the budget to be approved by the state when it would become part of the state budget.

“Making sure a college education remains affordable is a vital priority for our state,” Doyle said. “The Regents should hold down tuition so that it doesn’t rise faster than inflation. I am committed to reinvesting in the university, but I hope the Regents will also recognize the need to keep tuition in line with middle class families’ ability to pay.”

If approved, the measure would hold tuition increases to an average of less than 2.5 percent over the next two years.

Another measure considered on behalf of UW–La Crosse would be aimed at increasing tuition but requiring that twenty five percent of the new revenue generated by the tuition increase go towards financial aid. The other percentage would be dedicated to hiring additional faculty and staff. The measure was opposed by some such as Regent Gerard Randall of Milwaukee who did not vote for the overall budget plan.

"We have been productive and efficient in managing deep budget cuts in recent years,” UW System President Kevin Reilly said.  “Now, it’s time to reinvest in the state’s public university system.”

Other regents were equally concerned with the recent tuition increases that have attempted to compensate for decreases in federal financial aid and other under funded campus resources.

"This is a process that’s been going on for a long time,” Regent Jeffrey Bartell of Madison said.  “By raising tuition to cover the gap, I think we are providing the cover for the decision-makers down on the other end of State Street. We just can’t allow this to continue.”

The Board of Regents will have until Sept. 15 to forward their budget request to the state where it will be considered as part of the larger state budget.

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