UW System President Ray Cross speaks to students at UW-Stout
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents have unanimously approved a 2016-17 totaling $6.2 billion.
Regents meeting Thursday at UW-Milwaukee also unanimously agreed to ask the Wisconsin legislature for an additional $12.7 million in student financial aid.
The vote on the budget followed a brief discussion, and comments by UW System President Ray Cross, who noted that state financing has diminished.
“The overall, actual GPR support of the UW System, including debt service, is lower than it was in 2007-2008,” Cross said. “Adjusting for inflation, GPR support for the UW System is the lowest it has ever been in the history of the UW System.
The budget calls for spending $160 million out of the System’s reserve funds, which became a highly contentious issue with Republican lawmakers in 2012.
It includes an increase in student fees, housing and meal plan costs on all campuses.