The UW System Board of Regents unanimously approved a measure Friday that requires state universities to seek student input when raising differential tuition costs.
The measure does not require student approval on differential tuition initiatives but gives elected student bodies at UW System universities power to periodically review increases.
Elected student bodies will now be consulted on differential tuition increases like those already passed at UW-Madison, UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire.
Prior to approval of the measure, students' role in the differential tuition process was unclear.
According to Regent Aaron Wingad, a senior at UW-Eau Claire, the policy is ""meant to empower students.""
""The underlying concern is that the students want to make it a little more concrete and a little more clear how they fit into the differential tuition process,"" he said at the meeting.
Regent Brent Smith said the committee that initially discussed the policy ""did not want to do a one-size-fits-all"" approach for campuses and wanted to give students more opportunity to submit input.
""Many restrictions were not in place for limiting the amount of differential tuition … or a prescribed process for student input,"" he said. ""We wanted to provide some opportunity for campuses to come up with their own procedures in those particular areas.""
Tyler Junger, chair of the Associated Students of Madison, said he is skeptical of the policy and said student input is not the same as decision-making power.
""I think the reality is that the system is very hesitant to give up any authority over whether or not they can charge students money,"" he said.
He said he thinks it will be very difficult for any chancellor to propose increases students oppose and said he hopes chancellors ""don't even consider moving forward"" with increases ""students are blatantly against.""
""I wish the policy would state that students would have that authority. It really would be a good thing for students to take the reins and decide whether or not we are going to be charged more to go here,"" he said.
In 2009, a four-year differential tuition increase was approved at UW-Madison. UW-Eau Claire recently approved a four-year $1,200 differential tuition hike.
