Wisconsin's Republican legislators are taking aim at the University of Wisconsin (UW) system's budget, proposing significant funding cuts due to ongoing disagreements over diversity and inclusion programs. This move follows the Republicans' recent refusal to finance a new engineering building at the Madison campus, highlighting the escalating tension between the GOP-controlled Legislature and the university system.
While clashes between these two entities are not uncommon, the current conflict revolves around free speech issues and UW's diversity and racial equity initiatives. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a leading Republican, has openly expressed his desire to eliminate all funding allocated to these programs, estimating a potential cut of $32 million. Vos argues that these initiatives are "divisive" and offer minimal public benefit, preferring that the funds be redirected towards more "productive" endeavors.
UW spokesperson Mark Pitsch clarified that salaries for employees dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion total approximately $15.6 million annually, excluding the costs of related events or initiatives. Vos's stance comes as UW System President Jay Rothman recently appointed a new chief diversity officer with a $225,000 annual salary, a move that was not publicly announced at a recent UW Board of Regents meeting.
This conflict mirrors a national debate surrounding diversity initiatives in higher education. An Associated Press analysis revealed that Republican lawmakers across 12 states have introduced over 30 bills this year aimed at curbing such programs. Democratic Senator Kelda Roys, representing the UW-Madison district, criticized Vos's efforts, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion work in major organizations and highlighting the university's crucial role as an economic driver for the state. She argued that politically motivated cuts to UW would negatively impact all Wisconsin residents.
The UW regents had requested a nearly $436 million increase in state funding over the next two years, citing the impact of a long-standing tuition freeze and rising inflation costs. Vos stated that the budget committee intends to deny this request, which exceeds even Democratic Governor Tony Evers' proposed allocation for UW by $130 million. With the anticipated budget cuts, the UW System could face a deficit of nearly half a billion dollars compared to its requested budget.
These financial constraints could lead to increased tuition costs for students. Rothman has already proposed tuition and fee increases between 3% and 5.4% for undergraduates across the UW System's 13 colleges, in response to Evers' lower funding proposal. Republicans have largely dismissed Evers' budget recommendations, rejecting over 500 items, including proposals for various equity officer positions and a state-funded diversity, equity, and inclusion conference.
The Legislature is expected to finalize its budget plan by the end of June, after which Governor Evers can use partial vetoes or return it for revisions.
