4.9 percent tuition hike could have been higher, officials say

Tuition will increase $141 for UW–Madison resident undergraduates this year under a proposal approved by the UW System Board of Regents June 5.

Resident undergraduate tuition will total $3,001 for 1998-99, a 4.9 percent increase over 1997-98. Nonresident undergraduate tuition will rise $583 to $11,182, a 5.5 percent increase over last year.

Despite the 4.9 percent tuition increase, UW–Madison still has the second-lowest tuition for resident undergraduates in the Big Ten, ahead of only Iowa. Among all Big Ten schools, the average tuition increase for in-state undergraduates this year is 4.1 percent.

Based on the current state budget, tuition could have risen 7 percent this fall, following a 7.9 percent increase last year. But a robust state economy and higher-than-expected state revenue allowed the Legislature to fund pay raises for faculty and staff this year with a larger proportion of tax dollars, relying less on tuition, said UW System President Katharine Lyall.

Several students spoke against the tuition increases at the regents meeting. John Grabel, the new president of the United Council, the state student association, said although the 4.9 percent increase is lower than last year, it will still stretch the ability of students to pay for their education.

Grabel said students, faculty, staff and the regents must unite to persuade lawmakers to increase state support for UW–Madison and the UW System in the next biennium so that future tuition increases can be kept in check.

“We can do wonders when we work together,” he said.

The tuition increases are part of the $2.7 billion UW System operating budget for 1998-99. The budget allocates funding already approved by Legislature for the second year of the 1997-99 biennium.

“This budget takes us another step toward meeting some of the critical goals of the UW System,” Lyall said. “We will build upon this base in developing the next biennial budget as we strive to maintain the competitive quality of education for our students.”

The regents will approve the UW System 1999-01 biennial budget request at their Aug. 20-21 meeting.