The Weekly Update

Board of Regents

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin met virtually last week Thursday, March 5.

You can view a summary of the meeting here.

2026 Research in the Rotunda

The 22^nd annual Research in the Rotunda (RITR) will take place this Wednesday, March 11, from 10:30am to 2:30pm on the first floor of the Capitol Rotunda in Madison. This public event will showcase over 120 undergraduate student researchers from across the Universities of Wisconsin who will share their research findings.

You can find the link to the 2026 RITR website here for additional information. You can also find the 2026 RITR Program here.

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development

The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development held a public hearing Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30am on AB 1034, relating to: name, image, and likeness rights for University of Wisconsin System student athletes; maintenance costs for University of Wisconsin–Madison intercollegiate athletic facilities; and making an appropriation. The Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee all registered in favor of this legislation. Madison testified in favor.

UW-Madison AB 1034-SB 1075 Testimony pdf

Joint Committee on Finance

The Joint Committee on Finance held a Section 13.10 meeting and an executive session on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30am. AB 659, relating to: tuition and fee remission or grants for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education; and the University of Wisconsin System nonresident tuition exemption for certain veterans, was included on the executive session agenda and the Committee unanimously recommended concurrence (16-0). This bill also previously passed the Assembly floor on a 94-2 vote. The Universities of Wisconsin had submitted testimony for information only on this legislation during the public hearings.

Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges

The Senate Universities and Technical Colleges Committee held a public hearing last week Wednesday. The following UW related bills were on the agenda:

• SB 868, Relating to: permissible financial aid reductions in higher education. The UWs and UW-Madison submitted testimony for information only.
• SB 751, Relating to: the appointment of certain employees of the University of Wisconsin System and faculty governance. The UWs submitted testimony for information only.
• SB 818, Relating to: demonstration charter school operators.
• SB 1023, Relating to: admission to University of Wisconsin System institutions. The UWs and UW-Madison testified in opposition during the public hearing, and UW-La Crosse, and UW-Whitewater submitted testimony in opposition.

You can view the testimonies here.

Additionally, the committee held an executive session via paper ballot today, Monday, March 9. The following bills impacting the Universities of Wisconsin were voted on.

• SB 868, Relating to: permissible financial aid reductions in higher education. This bill received a 2-3 vote so passage has not been recommended.
• SB 751, Relating to: the appointment of certain employees of the University of Wisconsin System and faculty governance. Passed with a 3-2 vote with the adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1.
• SB 1023, Relating to: admission to University of Wisconsin System institutions. Passed with a 3-2 vote with the adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1.

Please check back for future updates. 

Department of Education Announcement

Last week, the Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish the new Workforce Pell Grant program.

At the time of the announcement, Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said, “With this proposed rule, we take an important step toward building a stronger postsecondary education system – one where the Federal government invests in short-term, high-quality programs aligned with a State’s workforce needs, creating new affordable pathways to upward mobility for America’s students and their families. A great education and a better life do not necessarily require a traditional four-year college experience. Starting this summer, students will have more postsecondary options thanks to the Trump Administration.”

For more, you can review the release linked above or the full NPRM in the Federal Register here.

Senate HELP Committee Hearing

On March 12, beginning at 9:00AM Central, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Transparency and Trust: Exposing Malign Foreign Influence in Higher Education.”

Announced witnesses include:

• Peter Wood, Ph.D, President, National Association of Scholars
• Craig Singleton, Senior Fellow. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies
• Robert Daly, Director, Program on China and the United States, The University of Maryland’; Former Director, Kissinger Institute on China and the United States, The Wilson Center

If interested in watching live, you can do so on the Committee website.

Full House and Senate Hearing Schedule

If interested, you can see a full list of upcoming hearings on the Senate Hearings & Meetings Page. A review of the committee hearings in the House of Representatives is available via the Committee Schedule within the House of Representatives Legislative Activity section on the Chamber’s main page.  

House and Senate Floor Schedules

The House of Representatives is in a district work period this week; however, the Senate is in Washington DC for votes. As the schedule is announced, a full list of votes will be found on the respective website the Senate.