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ASM sponsors tuition forum
Chancellor Martin says opposition to cost hike has been lacking at student sessions.
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Students and staff raised questions and concerns at a campus forum Monday regarding the University of Wisconsin’s initiative to increase tuition.
The tuition increase is an effort to fund more tenure-tracked staff as well as other projects to keep improving the university.
During the event sponsored by the Associated Students of Madison, Chancellor Biddy Martin addressed student issues and explained in detail the reasons behind the increase.
“This is a great institution, but we’re at some risk, and I say that to you honestly,” Martin said. “We have to be reality-based in our approach to that. I wish the state would cover the cost and tuition wouldn’t have to increase, but by saying we’ll rely on the state is wishful thinking that may damage the university.”
Although a variety of issues were brought forth in the meeting, the majority of students voiced concern for families with incomes above the $80,000 per year mark that would not automatically receive financial aid.
“I have two other siblings, and my parents make about $100,000 a year,” UW sophomore Ben Wood said. “I was wondering if they would be accounting for that and it was addressed, but I’m not totally certain how things will be handled.”
Martin said the $80,000 mark does not necessarily mean families who make more will be excluded from receiving financial aid.
According to Dean of Students Lori Berquam, financial aid advisors will be available at the Offices of the Dean of Students to address specific student concerns. Office hours will begin Monday and will continue for the rest of the school week.
The chancellor also called for the development of a Student Advisory and Oversight Committee.
“I think we need to work with ASM to see what the student government would suggest about such a committee, but we definitely want to establish it and get it up and going right away, so students are heavily involved in the decisions,” Martin said.
Students were asked where they thought the increased funding would be best spent.
Several students stressed the need for better advising services across the board. Many suggested more advisors in departments, such as the College Career Advising Service and the Law offices to help students focus their studies earlier and more effectively.
Others suggested a peer-advising program for more experienced students to help newer classes of students set realistic goals and navigate their way around a variety of majors.
Some encouraged the chancellor to consider offering more certificate programs while others commended the chancellor for suggesting an increase in tenured-track professors in the initiative.
“In general, their response seems to be, ‘Yes, we need the additional faculty; we need improvements and better advising,’ and I just haven’t heard a lot of disagreement,” Martin said.
She added she encourages students with specific questions to attend the Dean of Students’ office hours on the 3rd floor of the Student Activity Center and to direct general questions to the question-and-answer blog located on the chancellor’s website.
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Everyone making more than $80,000 can just STFU. Boo hoo, three kids. Do you know how many people are sending that many kids to college on half that income? Maybe your parents won’t be able to buy a summer home this year. Cry about it.
You are so ignorant. The cost of living differs from place to place, as do taxes and overall price level. 80K in rural Mississippi will go a lot farther than 80K in a Chicago suburb. Idiot.