In a recent Gallup Poll of Americans’ views on the availability of higher education, 60+% of U.S. adults (aged 30-65+) say education beyond high school is available to anyone in the country who needs it. The percentage is consistent with the last time the poll was offered in 2015. In comparison, only 46% of young adults (aged 18-29) say education beyond high school is available to those who need it. There is no clear explanation for the significant difference in percentage between age and differing views. Many changes have been made to the types of programming available to Americans since the poll was last done. There has been an increase in online degree-granting programs and the expansion of degree alternatives to improve access to education for those interested in gaining skills in their current field or reskilling for another field. Despite these advances, public opinion about availability and affordability appears stagnant. The full article can be accessed on the Gallup website.

The Senate Committee on Education held an executive session on Thursday, December 19, 2019. The Committee heard SB-496: ID Card Info– requiring that student identification cards include contact information for suicide prevention hotlines, including Amendment 1. The Committee passed the bill as amended in an 8-1 vote.

The NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously in October 2019 to permit student-athletes the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness in a manner consistent with the collegiate model. The three divisions have begun the process of soliciting feedback and developing proposals to meet the Board’s January 2021 legislative deadline. To learn more about the Board of Governors’ action and for additional resources including legislative timelines and Q&A documents, visit the NCAA Taking Action webpage.

The Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER) met on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 and voted to authorize the UW System compensation plan that was approved as part of the 2019-21 state budget. This includes both a 2% wage adjustment in January of 2020 and another in 2021.

The committee also approved the trades contracts below, submitted by UW System. The contracts will need full legislative approval before going into effect.

• 2018-2019 agreement between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.
• 2019-2020 agreement between the State of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.
• 2018-2019 agreement between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.
• 2019-2020 agreement between the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.
• 2018-2019 agreement between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.
• 2019-2020 agreement between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin State Building Trades Negotiating Committee.

The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities held a public hearing on Thursday, December 12 at UW-Oshkosh. The committee heard from students and others on the following legislation relating to UW System:

• AB 536– establishing a career advancement scholarship program
• AB 444– free expression

President Cross submitted testimony on AB 444 for information only. You can see the testimony as well as the annual Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression report attached below.

Chancellor Leavitt and UW-Green Bay’s Student Success Coach, Samantha Post, testified in favor of AB 536. You can see their testimony here.

The State Building Commission met on Thursday, December 12, 2019 and approved the following UW System projects:

• UW-Platteville – New Sesquicentennial Hall – Authority to Construct – $55,189,000 ($54,602,000 GFSB and $587,000 PRSB).
• UW-Eau Claire – Haas Fine Arts Theatrical Light/Rigging – $2,997,700 GFSB.
• UW-La Crosse – White Hall Renovation – $2,994,900 ($994,900 PRSB and $2,000,000 PR-Cash)
• UW-River Falls – Davee Library Electrical Distribution Equipment – $1,405,900 GFSB
• UW-La Crosse – Badger Street Mall Renovation – $895,100 PR-Cash
• UW- Whitewater – Williams Ctr Pedestrian Bridge Replacement – Increase of $333,900 ($190,300 GFSB and $143,600 PRSB)
• UW-Whitewater – Chilled Water Loop & Steam Pit Repairs – $5,000,000 ($2,850,000 GFSB and $2,150,000 PRSB)

Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the DFDM website once available. The next SBC meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 18, 2020.

The Legislative Audit Bureau released an audit on Friday, December 6, regarding state-owned residential properties, which includes properties own by UW System. The Audit indicated that the Department of Administration (DOA) has not formally revised policies pertaining to state-owned residential properties leased to state employees since 1975.  Under provisions of ch. 16, Wis. Stats., DOA is required to administer state-owned residential properties that are managed by state agencies and leased to state employees. Certain employees may be required to reside in the properties as a condition of employment while other employees may opt to reside in them. The audit states the DOA has not completed an appraisal since 1995. The Audit also includes findings and recommendations specific to UW System. See the Legislative Audit Briefing Sheet for a summary of the report. The full report, including UW System’s response starting on page 55, can be found here,