UW Regents to host statewide forum on comprehensive admissions

The UW System Board of Regents is hosting an educational forum on Monday, Jan. 29, on a proposed move to a comprehensive freshman admissions policy.

The session will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in person and listen to feedback from around the state, carried by videoconferencing.

The board in December 2006 postponed action on a systemwide policy that would update and clarify admissions guidelines, some of which date back nearly 35 years.

Under the updated policy, UW campuses would have clear guidelines for performing a comprehensive, individualized review of every applicant. The policy reflects common practices of top U.S. universities, including UW–Madison.

“UW students aren’t numbers — they’re people. We are updating this policy so that our admissions officers can give each applicant the personal consideration they deserve, for the good of students, the university and the state,” said Board of Regents President David G. Walsh. “Before we vote on that policy, we want to engage with future students, families and all taxpayers. We want them to understand the facts about this policy, and we value the opportunity to hear their voices.”

The session will be carried over videoconferencing networks to facilitate live interaction between residents of several Wisconsin communities and presenters at the Pyle Center location. The forum will begin with a brief presentation from UW representatives. Participants will then be invited to share comments and questions about the policy.

In addition, a special Web site has been launched for the public to review a policy draft and share comments. For more information, visit http://www.wisconsin.edu/admissions.