Elsewhere
(Elsewhere summarizes developments on other UW System campuses and in the system administration. For more system news, visit: http://www.uwsa.edu/univ_rel/wn.htm.)
Legislature acts on tuition, financial aid proposals
The Senate and the Assembly recently took action on several bills related to university tuition and financial aid.
The Assembly unanimously passed a bill (AB 509) that increases the appropriation to fund National Guard tuition grants in 2002-03. During budget deliberations, the Joint Finance Committee reduced funding for the existing National Guard tuition grants from 100 percent to 85 percent. Through a budget veto, Gov. Scott McCallum re-established the 100 percent rate, but was not able to completely restore funding. AB 509 restores 100 percent funding at a tentatively estimated cost of $1.8 million.
The Assembly also passed, 73-25, a measure (AB 320) that creates an income tax and franchise tax credit for businesses that pay tuition of an individual to attend a university, college or technical college.
The Assembly voted against taking up another measure (AB 194), which would link financial aid hikes to tuition increases.
For the text and history of all legislation, visit: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html.
Student regent confirmed
The Senate Universities, Housing and Government Operations Committee has confirmed student regent-designate Tommie L. Jones of UW-Whitewater to the Board of Regents. The full Senate will now take up his appointment.
The committee also endorsed, 6-1, a measure (SB 136) pertaining to using accumulated unused sick leave credits and certain health insurance premium credits for the purchase of long-term care insurance for retirement system participants.
Plan 2008 updated
A progress report on “Plan 2008,” the UW System’s 10-year initiative to enhance diversity, highlighted numerous efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse student body and staff. Among the initiatives:
UW–Madison has established a successful pipeline known as PEOPLE (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) for highly motivated targeted minority students and disadvantaged students who are considering a college education. PEOPLE provides challenging academic year and summer skills- development activities to a new cohort of Madison middle–school students and inner-city Milwaukee high-school students every year.
The Summer Research Opportunity Program is a collaborative endeavor among the various schools and colleges on campus to provide multicultural undergraduates a summer experience in conducting research at UW–Madison. In a recent study of similar programs, SROP was found to be the most effective in motivating and recruiting multicultural undergrads to pursue graduate studies.
Partners for Success is a collaborative program with the Graduate School and the Wisconsin Alumni Association. It attempts to strengthen the community for multicultural students and encourage new graduate students to connect with the campus and the Madison community. The program has 87 participants.
Nonresidents face hike
The Board of Regents has authorized an additional 2.5 percent increase in tuition next semester for nonresident undergraduate students in response to a veto in the biennial budget bill.
Searches begin
The regents have authorized the search for a new provost and vice chancellor at UW-Green Bay as well as new campus deans at UW-Baraboo/Sauk County, UW-Fond du Lac and UW-Marshfield/ Wood County.