GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –All packed into their dorms on the UW-Green Bay campus, students are excited for a new year, particularly those getting their first taste of college.
“I think I’m just like excited to get in my own schedule, start classes, like actually just learn to get around UWGB,” said freshman, Pamela Siech.
This new academic year brings new beginnings — as well as a new round of budget talks for the Universities of Wisconsin.
The system has promised to not up tuition for the next two years if they receive an additional $855 million in funding in the next biennial budget.
Leaders with the Universities of Wisconsin discussed their proposal during a visit to the Green Bay campus last week.
“I think what it really impacts is opportunity. On a percentage basis, we are educating fewer students of lower socioeconomic means than we were 10 years ago. Because we are the most affordable public university system in the midwest and beyond, but we’re not affordable for everyone,” said Universities of Wisconsin President, Jay Rothman, on Wednesday, August 28th.
Any increase in funding would need to be approved by the state legislature.
Republicans, like Assemblyman David Steffen, are weary of giving the system such an ask , while Democrats have supported it.
While any decision is far from guaranteed — students would be concerned about more tuition hikes if the system’s budget ask isn’t granted
“Definitely concerned about the future because I think I will be in debt, obviously, but, I don’t know it’s just scary to think about how much money is going to be needed to pay this off,” said freshman Kelly O’Neill.
“It does make me nervous as more costs come, you know, even groceries can be a little bit particular sometimes with how expensive it can be,” said freshman Elliana Flees. “But I trust in our school genuinely that, at the best they can do, they’re going to make it as easy for us as they can to explain to us and elaborate on why it’s more expensive and if possible, how you can help yourself in the expenses.”
A Tuition increase of 3.75% at UW System schools was approved for students this fall. The system’s board of regents citing operational budget increases, and limited state funding.
Prior to this year’s tuition increase tuition had been frozen at UW schools since 2013.
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