Gov. Jim Doyle's state budget proposal Tuesday did much to satisfy the wishes of the UW System and UW-Madison brass. There are still some issues, however-particularly the Governor's proposed 5 to 7 percent tuition increase and request that the UW System reallocate some $65 million??-that are raising some red flags.
By and large, the budget proposal as it relates to the university went over well, UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley said in a speech to the Madison Rotary Club Wednesday.
\Unlike the current biennium, the Governor's budget ... is not a cut for the university. It actually contains an increase,"" he said. ""I'm sure he worked very hard on this and is very proud of it, and he should be.""
Both Wiley and UW System spokesperson Doug Bradley said the administration is pleased with the comparatively small tuition increases coupled with substantial financial aid increases.
Nevertheless, some still feel the Governor should have scaled back tuition increases even further.
""In my opinion, [the tuition increases] are still too large,"" said Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison. Black did voice his satisfaction with the increases in financial aid, which he said to some extent counterbalances the tuition hikes.
Cedric Lawson, UW-Madison junior and vice-chair of Associated Students of Madison, said ASM hoped for no tuition increase at all.
""We are more content with these modest increases but they still pose a barrier to students with troubles trying to pay for college here,"" he said.
Another concern, particularly among UW administrators, is Doyle's desire for the UW System to redistribute $65 million within its budget.
""We have squeezed and pushed and pulled and looked for savings and efficiencies everywhere we could find,"" Wiley said.
According to Bradley, the UW System has already undertaken ways to save $30 million through efficiency measures, and will have difficulty managing ways to preserve the extra $35 million.
""The $30 million is going to be tough for us to find and realize, and the $35 million is going to be a challenge for us to endure,"" he said.
Despite these concerns and the difficulties university officials may encounter trying to achieve the Governor's goals, Chancellor Wiley said the budget proposal is excellent, especially given the state's present financial situation.
""This budget over the next two years does not get us back to where we were two years ago, but it's a positive step,"" he said.
