Tuition will go up five-and-a-half percent at University of Wisconsin system campuses this fall, under a budget approved by the Board of Regents Thursday. The vote was 11-4, with John Drew of Milwaukee in opposition. “I have supported similar tuition increases in the past when they were part of responsible budgeting process that recognized the importance of the UW System and public higher education,” said Drew. “But this tuition increase is nothing more than an attack on middle class Wisconsin citizens, and a giant step away from high quality, affordable public education.”
Regent Ed Manydeeds of Eau Claire also voiced concerns over the impact, and voted against the increase. “I don’t think it’s fair for the citizens of the state of Wisconsin to be paying more for their children to be going to school,” he said. “I understand it has to be done.” A longtime legislator who represents the UW-Madison campus area is worried about the impact of the latest tuition increase. “It’s tough on students,” said state Senator Fred Risser. “Students, many of them are having to borrow money to get through school, and others just don’t have it. It’s certainly more than the rate of inflation.”
John Colbert, WIBA
