A model to increase higher-income students' tuition while lowering the tuition for lower-income families will be brought to the table tomorrow morning during the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents meeting.
Regent Gerard Randall described this model as one that would 'provide the support to the lowest income students, but given that there is not a whole lot of money to go around, pull that money from those students that can afford to pay more for tuition, and take that difference and apply it to financial aid packages for lower-income students.'
But he added that even with this possible model, there are a variety of other models that are still in the works and still being considered.
'For now, I can confidently say that we don't have an approach that everyone is prepared to go forth in, lock-step on.'
Also being looked at during the meeting, according to a UW System statement, are the 'rising energy costs, and recent prospective efforts to reduce energy consumption.'
Randall said the board was looking at many venues in order to achieve this, including turning down thermostats when buildings are not in use, being more diligent in regard to electricity, and generally making sure there is consistency regarding to with minimal energy usage.
'I know that there are efforts to have the state look at the budget again, and be more realistic about what it allows for the University to access in terms of energy costs,' Randall said. 'The state has not been very flexible when it comes to allowing for the budget to absorb those energy costs. And there definitely has to be another more productive conversation around state dollars being accessed for these rising energy prices.'
Bradley also indicated that the board will be exploring the issue of offering 'at-will' limited appointment employees fixed-term contracts, however, Randall made it clear that everything was still very much in the works. 'We haven't come to any conclusion as to whether there are going to be contracts offered to at-will employees or not,' he said.
