RAs May See Tuition Waivers as Soon as Fall

UW–Madison’s research assistants could have their in-state tuition waived beginning this fall under a plan being developed for Chancellor David Ward.

The tuition waivers would be similar to those provided to teaching and program assistants under the new two-year contract for the Teaching Assistants’ Association. The waivers for TAs and PAs with at least one-third appointments — authorized by the Legislature and Gov. Tommy Thompson in the 1997-99 biennial budget — began earlier this month.

There are approximately 1,800 research assistants and 2,200 teaching and program assistants at UW–Madison.

“Research assistants, along with teaching and program assistants, play a vital role in fulfilling the university’s mission, and remitting their tuition will recognize the contributions of all of these graduate students,” says Virginia Hinshaw, dean of the Graduate School.

After the TAA contract was approved by state officials in November, Ward and other campus leaders began working on ways to extend waivers to research assistants, who are not university employees like teaching and program assistants but conduct research related to their graduate studies.

Vice Chancellor for Administration John Torphy estimates the foregone tuition revenue paid by graduate assistants at $5 million to $6 million per year.

“The cost will be met by combination of grant charges, budget reallocations and savings reaped from the reduced stipend levels,” Torphy says.

How much graduate assistants will save from having their tuition waived depends on the number of credits they take and the level of their appointment. Many will see significant increases in their take-home pay, Torphy says, but those with few credits and high appointment levels may end up with little or no savings.

The final proposal will be reviewed by the UW System Board of Regents.