Most Americans agree a college degree is important in helping a young person succeed in the world. According to the Pew Research Center, most college graduates themselves say their degree helped them grow and develop the skills they needed for the workplace. There are clear and growing economic advantages for college graduates versus those without a degree. Even so, there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction among the public about the role colleges play in society, whether they cite the cost of tuition or the perception that faculty bring political views to the classroom. Kim Parker from Pew Research Centers shares some interesting polling of American’s differing views regarding Higher Education. See the full story here.

Rep. Dave Murphy, (R-Greenville), the chairman of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, and Sen. André Jacque, (R-De Pere), introduced a series of bills that affect the UW System.  The bills were formally introduced in the Assembly and have been assigned as follows:

• AB-369 UW Tuition: This bill creates a cohort tuition model and limits future tuition increases to CPI for each incoming class.
• AB-373 UW Fees: This bill limits the use of seg fees and imposes restrictions on seg fees for athletics and capital building projects, while giving students responsibility for the disposition of all segregated fees (allocable and non-allocable)
• AB-372 UW-System Reporting: This bill streamlines or eliminates several reports we are required to submit to the state, and it allows graduate health science classes to start before September 1^st.
• AB- 371 Course Numbering: This bill creates a universal course numbering system between UW System and WTCS, and it eliminates the statutory distinction between UW System and WTCS.
• AB-370 UW Debt Guarantees: This bill makes several changes to the governance of affiliated organizations, limits the authority of the Board of Regents to delegate powers, and fixes the statutes related to guaranties of public debt.

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, August 13 on Administrative Code Scope Statement for Chapter UWS 17, Wisconsin Administrative Code (Ch. UWS 17, Wis. Admin. Code). UW System seeks to modify Ch. UWS 17, Wis. Admin. Code to address student discipline related to violent or other disorderly misconduct that materially and substantially disrupts the free expression of others, when a formal investigation and disciplinary hearing is required, and mandatory sanctions for students found responsible for misconduct that materially and substantially disrupts the free expression of others. All UW System institutions would be affected by the proposed rule revisions articulated in the related scope statement.

At the same time, Representatives Cody Horlacher, Robin Vos, and Dave Murphy along with Senator Chris Kapenga introduced LRB-3437/1: Free Expression within the University of Wisconsin System.  The bill puts the responsibility on the UW Board of Regents to discipline any actions inhibiting free speech by campus speakers, students and faculty. It also allows campus speakers, students and faculty to discuss anything protected by the first amendment. The Board of Regents currently has a policy in place addressing actions for those in violation of free speech rights.

The State of Wisconsin Building Commission met on Wednesday, August 7 at the State Fair Park Expo Center In Milwaukee.

The following projects were approved by the Building Commission:

• UW-Madison: Land Acquisition at 937 W. Johnson Street at $418,500 PR Cash + closing costs
• UW-Oshkosh: Classroom/Instructional Technology Projects at $435,000 GFSB
• UW-Stevens Point: Classroom/Instructional Technology Projects at $1,237,000 GFSB
• UW-River Falls: Kleinpell Fine Arts Electrical Distribution Equipment Replacement at $1,072,000 GFSB
• UW-River Falls: University Center Entry & Terrace Renovation at $425,400 PR Cash
• UW-Stout:  Price Commons Kitchen Hood Replacement at $674,000 PR Cash
• UW-La Crosse: Central Heating Plant Fuel Reliability Upgrade at $3,984,000 ($2,032,100 GFSB and $1,952,400 PR Cash)
• UW-Oshkosh: Central Heating Plant Fuel Reliability Upgrade Increase at $500,000 ($255,000 GFSB and $245,000 PRSB)

UW System President Cross was pleased to co-sponsor the Dairy Task Force 2.0 over the last 18 months. The group has completed their work and have issued a report summarizing the effort.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Pfaff sent a letter to state legislators and federal congressional delegation, encouraging policy makers to read the final report and consider the role they can play in moving these recommendations forward.

DATCP has also developed a dashboard on their website to note all known actions taken on the recommendations. If you are aware of other actions taken that are not listed, please notify Ashley Andre at ashley.andre@wisconsin.gov or (608) 224-5002 to update their records and website as appropriate.